Yano Research Institute Ltd. (YANO / Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo / President: Takashi Mizukoshi) held our first business fair hosted by ourselves, “X Business Fair 2024,” on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Akiba_Square, Akihabara Urban Development X (UDX).

Even in the situation where market data shows that a conventional single service or product has very little potential for long-term growth due to increasing market complexity and diversifying consumer needs, notable growth is seen in some fields where there is “crossover” among different industries and where businesses reach beyond the “target customers.” Similarly, YANO, who introduced the concept of “market research” to Japan for the first time and has been researching and analyzing the Japanese economy for over 60 years, will find it difficult to grow in the future if we continuously work only in the realm of market research.

Under such circumstances, this business fair was held to eliminate various boundaries among business fields, positions, and genres, to create “Biz-tainment*,” a fusion of business and entertainment. We have received positive feedback for our presentation, which is different from that of a typical business fair, with a real professional wrestling ring set up on the main stage and bands invited to perform at the venue as well as for many boundary-less unique participating exhibitors. We will continue to discover “X business” leading the borderless market and continue to hold the “X Business Fair.” Further, in addition to our market research and analysis capability that we have cultivated for many years, we will present our unique proposals in response to changing times, encouraging the revitalization of the Japanese economy.

*“Biz-tainment” is a coined word combining “business” and “entertainment,” and is a new form of business that YANO presents and realizes through “X Business Fair.” It refers to the sublimation of business into fun and interesting activities and contents like entertainment.

■ Event Highlights of “X Business Fair 2024”

The stage program started with performances by the women’s professional wrestling promotions “hot chouchou” and “ICERIBBON.” This unexpected start and out-side-the-ring battles excited the audience.


<Industry in 2030 as Seen in the Data (10:35 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.)>
With the guest speaker Morley Robertson, Ichiro Takahashi, President of Seibu Shinkin Bank, and Takashi Mizukoshi, President of YANO, discussed the future of the Japanese economy and what is necessary for its growth from respective perspectives for each person.


<Business Prospects of Major Companies (11:30 a.m. –12:15 p.m.)>


<Possibilities for Borderless Business! (12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.)>


<Business Presentation: Put Your Everything on the Ring! (2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)>
The time limit is 3 minutes. When the bell rings, the match is over! The business pitch was performed just like a real wrestling match. The incisive comments made by the guest speaker, Morley Robertson, may have an impact on future business plans.


<YANO Presents: Explanation of the Borderless Market (4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)>
Katsuhito Matsushima, YANO’s Executive Researcher for X Business, explained our definition of the “borderless market” from the following three points of view: changes in consumers, changes in the relationship between buyers and sellers, and changes in the industrial structure.

●The programs including professional wrestling, bands, and snacks, suitable for the “Biz-tainment,” contributed to making the event a lot more exciting and varied.

<neoplus’ Professional Wrestling Business (3:45 p.m. – 4:14 p.m.)>
The professional wrestling business was introduced with real matches.


The business fair began with the performance by the whistling instrumental band, Peter Piper. The afterparty also started with the guitar duo, Kisaragi, entertaining the audience with their skilled performance.


Sujitaro Tamabukuro, the special guest, the representative of the All Japan Snack Federation, the proprietress of Snack*, and Ama-resu (amateur wrestling) Brothers passionately discussed that the “Snack*” culture will boost the Japanese economy.

*Snack: A type of bars very often run and operated by a proprietress called “Mama,” which is often referred to as hostess bars overseas and possibly unique to Japan.
 

●Event photos


 

■ Concept of “X Business Fair”

“X Business Fair” aims to eliminate various boundaries among business fields, positions, and genres, to create “Biz-tainment*,” a fusion of business and entertainment. We promise to provide unique and new experiences for everyone involved in business to discover business tips.*

“Biz-tainment” is a coined word combining “business” and “entertainment,” and is a new form of business that YANO presents and realizes through “X Business Fair.” It refers to the sublimation of business into fun and interesting activities and contents like entertainment.

■ Event Outline of "X Business Fair"

Event Title: X Business Fair 2024
Date and Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Afterparty: 5:30 p.m. –7:30 p.m.), Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Organizer: Yano Research Institute Ltd.
Supporter: K.K. Kyodo News
Special Sponsor: Seibu Shinkin Bank

Exhibitors: Luna, Kizunano Ha Chiba, AllC, FULLLIFE Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Blue Connect, Meta Cheese, Kabushiki Kaisha Minoverse, PwR, Arinos, Hanahiraku, Tokyo Shinyu Welfare Ltd., EG, VVV, adphox, IGUCHI ISSEI CO. LTD., Sunward Trading, TENGA Healthcare Inc., TENGA Co., Ltd., neoplus, Japan Association of Necktie with Eyelet Ring, Muyuu, Woelfe Hokkaido, Snack Tamachan, Four Seasons Hotels Limited, Matsuo, Mano, Kabushiki Kaisha Spollup, Seibu Shinkin Bank, Yano Research Institute Ltd. (No particular order)

Event website: https://xbusiness.jp/fair2024/

■ Corporate Profile

Yano Research Institute Ltd.

Headquarters: Nakanosakaue Central Bldg., 2-46-2 Honcho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, 164-8620 JAPAN
The president: Takashi Mizukoshi
Founded: 1958
Capital: 100 million yen
Corporate Mission: We support our clients with our advanced research capability and creative business conception to solve their problems, promote industrial and economic revitalization through their sound growth, and contribute to the realization of prosperous and high-quality society.
Corporate websites: https://www.yano.co.jp/ (Japanese) https://www.yanoresearch.com/ (English)

■ Contact

Email: xbusiness@yano.co.jp
X Business Fair 2024 Office
Yano Research Institute Ltd.