UKFT is delighted to launch its standalone physical group of British exhibitors at PROJECT TOKYO on 9^th and 10^th September.

Project Tokyo at Hikarie, Shibuya is expected to welcome a maximum of 250 brands of upscale menswear and womenswear. This is a juried exhibition open to quality collections of menswear and womenswear only. The show has an excellent track record for European and heritage fashion and accessories. Goods made in the UK are especially popular in Japan and UKFT is keen to enable UK companies to take full advantage of the UK’s Free Trade Agreement with Japan which came into effect on 1^st January 2021.

At present, it is anticipated that British business travellers will not be allowed to enter Japan in September so UKFT has arranged for the CPR Tokyo team to man the UKFT “Brits in Tokyo” group stand. There will be the option for companies with a representative in Japan to book their own stand for their representative to man with a central stand location alongside the Brits in Tokyo stand. All companies will be promoted by UKFT to key buyers and social media in advance of the event and the organisers are offering a free listing for all participating brands on their WOBE virtual tradeshow to enable buyers to connect with brands even if they cannot travel.

The March edition of the show was very successful with visits from the following Japanese retailers and trading houses: Isetan-Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, United Arrows, Beams, Ships, Tomorrowland, Estnation, Barneys Japan, Abahouse, HP France and many more. The show was also visited by representatives of H. Lorenzo and Bergdorf Goodman in the US, Joyce and Shine from Hong Kong, 10 Corso Como Seoul and a number of retailers from China and Taiwan. UKFT took part in the March edition with an impressive group of Scottish companies, supported by SDI and UKFT’s partner on the ground CPR Tokyo.

Organised by Informa (organisers of Project NYC, MRket, MAGIC Las Vegas, Coterie New York), this is a show UKFT has been associated with very successfully before. As most Japanese menswear and womenswear buyers are looking to identify new collections in 2022 for the lucrative Japanese market at a time when most cannot travel internationally, UKFT believes that this is the right time for companies to be investing in Japan.

The “Brits in Tokyo” joint stand package, run by CPR Tokyo will cost £2,900 per collection or brand. This will include stand space, furniture and on-site representation on set up, the duration of the show and break down. Companies will need to ship a sample collection (max 10 pieces to fill a rail or a shelving unit) to Japan as well as sales materials to be given to buyers (in English and/or Japanese). After the show, they will be required to ship the items back to the UK at their own cost unless they decide to make other arrangements.

There is a maximum number of 10 places on the group stand.

The organisers also offer a standard open stand format with one back wall, based on 6m²with a table, two chairs and basic rails or shelves for JYP 480,000 (approx. £3,600 including 10% sales tax, non-reclaimable).

UKFT will book, invoice and contract for the group stand and individual stands. UKFT will ensure that they are helped through the screening process and co-located and supported at the show.

TAP grants are not currently available for this event. Nevertheless, as Japan is such an important market for UK companies and brands and the show costs are very reasonable, UKFT is going ahead with this group without support from the UK government. Now is the best time for UK companies to invest in making new business contacts in Japan.

For the cost for the various packages and options and the application form, please see the additional document below.

Project Tokyo September 2021 – application form

If you would like to apply to show, please complete the application form and return to noleen.willis@ukft.org. If you would like to discuss your application, please email paul.alger@ukft.org

Application deadline: 29 July latest