February 19‐21, 2010 at Tokyo Big Sight

The U.S. Commercial Service in Japan (CS Japan), the export development arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce (http://www.buyusa.gov/japan/en/), will offer a special Platinum Key Service to U.S. companies interested in participating in the 2010 Japan Golf Fair from February 19-21, 2010 in Tokyo.

Excellent Prospects For: Contemporary Women’s Golf Apparel, Junior Golf Clubs, Training Aids:
With almost 10 million golfers, Japan presents an excellent opportunity for U.S. golf related companies interested in expanding one of Asia’s largest golf markets.  In this regard, a recent research report indicated that the Japanese golf equipment market was estimated at Yen 253.3 billion ($2.8 billion) in 2008 and was projected to maintain at this level in 2009.  The recent strength of the Japanese yen, which recently hit 88 yen to the dollar, also makes Japan a particularly attractive market for U.S. exporters.

Thanks in part to the spectacular success of the teenage professional golfer, Ryo Ishikawa, there has been a surge of interest in golf by Japanese young people, especially women.  In particular, the market for the so called “F-1 Generation”, which is comprised of Japanese females aged 20-34, has been growing rapidly.  The same report also detailed the fact that the sales of women’s golf apparel and equipment increased by 11.3% during the 2007-2008 sales season with an estimated market size of Yen56,581 million ($628.7 million) in 2008.  Reasonably-priced clubs and equipment for kids also have good prospects for U.S. suppliers in the Japanese market. Training aids for adult golfers interesting in improving their game continue to sell well.

Participation in the Japan Golf Fair is an excellent way to tap into the Japanese golf market, the world’s 2nd largest golf market after the United States. This trade fair is the largest of its kind in Asia and is devoted exclusively to golf. Each year thousands of Japanese golf industry executives and golf enthusiasts travel to the show. In 2009, 46,885 visitors attended the event.

Special U.S. Commercial Service Platinum Key Service makes it easy to exhibit in Japan:
The Japan Golf Fair Special Platinum Key Service (PKS) provides an outstanding platform from which U.S. suppliers can meet face-to-face with the thousands of Japanese end users, buyers, potential distributors, agents, and partners who will travel to 2010 Japan Golf Fair. By using this service, U.S. exhibitors can exhibit at the show at a discounted rate and will enjoy premium booth location.  In addition, CS Japan will promote your company’s products and services to potential buyers and distributors prior to the show and set up a series of pre-screened appointments with Japanese companies who show interests in your firm.  To maximize your company’s participation in the show, CS Japan also provides U.S. participants with extensive on-the-ground assistance with sending samples to the pavilion, travel arrangements, and setting up the booth. We also provide a market briefing to the participants in the show, coordinate pre-show promotion of the company's products to the Japanese media, help smooth communication with potential buyers at the show, and help your firm to close the deal with potential new customers after the show.

Platinum Key Value-added Service for U.S. companies:
The service fee for the Platinum Key includes is $5500 and includes the following:

• A furnished  3m X 3m (approximately 10ft X 10 ft) booth with American accents
• Carpeted display space, furnished with a round table, a display counter, 2 chairs, 2 spotlights and company name board,
• Translation services to translate your company’s English-language promotional materials into Japanese (maximum 2 pages of US Letter-sized materials),
• Pre-show marketing of your company including the mailing of booth invitations to potential buyers and distributors and the setting up prescreened appointments (on the first day of the show).  A representative from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will facilitate these pre-arranged meetings. 
• Assistance with sample shipments, hotel arrangements, fixtures and booth setup, communication with buyers, etc.

Please note that the costs for traveling to Japan and the hiring of an interpreter are not included in the PKS fee.

For more information on this exciting opportunity for U.S. firms and/or their partners in Japan, please contact Hirono Taki at the Commercial Service Osaka at the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka.

Hirono Taki
Commercial Specialist
Commercial Service Osaka
U.S. Consulate General, Osaka‐Kobe
2‐11‐5 Nishi Temma, Kita‐ku Osaka 530‐8543
Phone: 011‐81‐6‐6315‐5959
Fax: 011‐81‐6‐6315‐5963
Email at Hirono.Taki@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov ,

Or visit the Japan Golf Fair event website online at: www.japangolffair.com/english/index.html