"City Innovation" To Take the Stage at Smart City Week 2013 in Yokohama, Japan

Online, March 19, 2013 (Newswire.com) - October 21, 2013 marks the start of the world's most progressive Smart City Conference and Exhibition "Smart City Week 2013" (SCW2013) at Pacifico Yokohama International Conference and in Yokohama, Japan. After last year's showing of more than 22,601 visitors including some 1000 participants from abroad, this year's Meet (the third of its kind) is set to bring 30,000 experts, business people and local government representatives from Japan and abroad together under one roof for a full week of learning, information exchange and business development. Organized by media giant Nikkei Business Publications, Inc., and with special cooperation by the City of Yokohama, the core strength of Japanese business media and the full support of one of Japan's most advanced smart cities will promote discovery of new and interesting opportunities presented by the Smart City effort around the world.

Expecting some 30,000 visitors to Explore Smart City for the World

With 6,982 participants at the various conferences and seminars in 2012, Smart City Week 2013 will expand the program and focus on "City Innovation." The program includes trend seminars set to explore topics including renewable energy, smart grid innovation, smart mobility, disaster recovery, using sensors and wireless networks to create new urban functions, use of Big Data, innovative storage batteries for a visible path to genuine power control, location data use to build urban services and increase safety and the sense of security in the city, architecture under changing urban functions and the future of urban development, promising roles of digital signage, cutting edge BEMS to eliminate customer concerns, risk management in the smart cities and more. Firms, experts, local and National government representatives, visitors from international organizations and chamber of commerce leaders will be among the participants at this year's event in search of new ideas and opportunities in the smart city realm.

Last year's three day exhibition portion of Smart City Week was attended by 15,619 people from all over the world with some 940 international participants representing 40 countries. This year the expanded program and added innovation is expected to attract over 3000 international guests from some 50 countries across all of Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, Europe and Africa.

An International Environment for Business Opportunity
"Walking through the exhibition area last year, the environment was so international. Languages from around the world could be heard at exhibition booths and there was a vibrant sense of common purpose for comfortable networking and information exchange," says Ruth Jarman Shiraishi who assisted with Chamber exhibitor booths at the 2012 event.

Jakob Edberg of GR Japan adds, "Regardless of Japan's shift in government, there is an energy revolution going on in Japan known as "locally produced, locally consumed." We will see projects like wind farms or mega solar in one city where instead of going through the common grid, residents would be able to point to areas where their solar field contributes to the community. Smart cities will no longer consume, they will contribute."

A variety of sponsor plans and exhibiting options are available for registration until June 21 and an exhibitors briefing is planned for mid-July.

Some 20 Cities, primarily from Asia, were represented by Government Heads and other senior officials at the 1st Asia Smart City Conference in 2012 (held as part of the overall Smart City Event) and gained from the opportunity to exchange ideas on urban issues and the future of the smart city. SCW 2013 will again offer workshops and tours for emerging nations and in conjunction with overseas media, efforts are underway to attract more international visitors and strengthen the influence and opportunity offered by this unique conference.

Local Governments Explore New Solutions
In 2012, local government summits and private seminars attracted a total of 815 people from 14 local governments in Japan. This conference is one of the best opportunities to meet decision makers from Japan's various localities where efforts towards smarter solutions to city living and energy consumption have brisk momentum due to Japan's general effort to reduce dependence on nuclear power. This year, with expanded programming on schedule, local governments and municipalities are expected to account for more than 1200 of the total visitor group.

About Pacifico Yokohama in Minato Mirai, Yokohama Japan

Only 40 minutes from Haneda Airport and 90 minutes from Narita airport by bus, the bustling and beautiful Minato Mirai "Port of the Future in the 21st Century" is a symbol of cutting edge Japan. Boasting waterfront vistas, Japan's tallest skyscraper, numerous international hotels, excellent shopping, and a myriad of amusement facilities, Minato Mirai is the perfect venue for groundbreaking discussion of Smart City technology and future vision.

Contact Information:
Inquiries:
Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.
Integrated Marketing Communications Bureau Marketing 1
e-mail: imc1 (at) nikkeibp (dot) co (dot) jp
TEL:+81-3-6811-8032 Fax: +81-5421-9161
1-17-3 Shirokane, Minato, Tokyo JAPAN 108-8646