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| Source: Japan Halal Expo 2014 event organisers. UPIN-IPIN were unveiled as the official mascots of JAPAN HALAL EXPO 2014 by the organisers in late September. |
According to the organisers, Makuhari Messe, Halal Media Japan, and Les’ Copaque Production of Malaysia, more than 10 million tourists visited Japan in 2013, with tourists from from the predominantly Muslim countries of Malaysia and Indonesia in particular increasing significantly due to relaxed visa requirements. The numbers are expected to rise as the middle class grows in both countries. At the same time Japanese SMEs of food products are becoming more interested in Islamic countries as an export market. Some are also predicting that the halal market will also grow in Japan.
The event, from November 26 to 27, is designed to bring together interested parties so that they can understand more about domestic and international halal trends and build awareness that halal certification from Japan is already accepted in some Muslim markets. The organisers are focusing on seven other countries in Asia and the Middle East, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Turkey and the UAE, and expect to host up to 250 delegates at the forum as well as 100 or more exhibitors.
At the time of writing, participation from the following had been confirmed:
● International Institute for Halal Research and Training (INHART: Malaysia)
● International Islamic University of Malaysia（Malaysia）
● United World Halal Development (Singapore)
● The Central Islamic Committee of Thailand (CICOT: Thailand)
● Halal Standard Institute of Thailand (HSIT:Thailand)
● Halal India (India)
● Association For The Inspection And Certification of Food And Supplies (GIMDES:Turkey)
● Islamic Center Japan（ICJ:Japan）
● Japan Islamic Trust（JIT:Japan）
● Nippon Asia Halal Association（NAHA:Japan）
The event organisers unveiled official mascots Upin and Ipin in late September, and unveiled the list of exhibitors online on October 10.