SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN
SPOTLIGHT ON JAPAN Region The Sun Rises on a New Japan ZOOM AIMS HIGH-END AUDIO PRODUCTS AT CONSUMER Smartphone and tabletcompatible microphones and affordable pro recorders head Zoom’s offering at IFA this year. The Zoom iQ6 is a highquality X/Y stereo condenser mic that connects to the lightning connector of any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, and offers serious stereo recording at any time, any place - for concerts, interviews, meetings or lectures - with precision and full fidelity. Zoom’s H5 Handy Recorder is a compatible device that offers four tracks of simultaneous recording and can utilise all Zoom interchangeable input capsules to create pro multi-track recordings, podcasts and reports at a prosumer price. H5 Handy Recorder » HALL 15.1 / STAND 190 The Japanese economy is the third largest in the world by nominal GDP, it continues to lead the world in terms of the overall importance of its electronics industry. Indeed, while competition from South Korea, Taiwan and China have been eating away at Japan’s global market share, in recent years the sector has taken hits from the earthquake and tsunami in the East of the country, compounded by currency problems. The Raising the Sound Bar Yamaha enjoys sales high on the back of wireless audio Yamaha have enjoyed rapidly rising sales and revenue in the past year. Hiroshi Sasaki, President Yamaha Music Europe, describes the sound strategies that have allowed Yamaha products to ring true in a tough audio market. The audio market is changing rapidly. Yamaha decided some time ago to invest more into research and engineering and to respond to these changes. We have developed many more innovative products that have underpinned our sales development. For example, 10 years ago Yamaha pioneered the soundbar market with the legendary YSP 1. At this IFA show, we are celebrating this anniversary, not only with an anniversary model, but with several new products in this growing category. It is very clear that consumers are looking for products that can be easily controlled by their smart device YAMAHA YAS-203 industry is nonetheless still huge, and this year is fighting back. Those working for Japan’s electronics manufacturers generally revere the history and heritage of their companies, with extraordinary stories such as those of Sony’s founders Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita, or the legendary founder of Panasonic Konosuke Matsushita. For many Japanese, Matsushita is still known as "the god of The audio equipment business nevertheless continues to experience tough market conditions. How is Yamaha coping? Yamaha is restructuring to become more cost effective. Four years ago we decided to strengthen our sales and marketing power by creating One Yamaha in Europe. Since then we have harmonised our sales and marketing activities across Europe, which is resulting in stronger brand awareness for dealers and customers. One other notable factor had been the favourable exchange rate, with a much lower yen. What key product trends and innovations have you introduced at IFA 2014? management", and his life and work inspires much of Japan’s industry today. Most Japanese companies suffered catastrophic downturn in recent years and have been forced to introduce extreme rationalisation programmes in order to fight back. But fight back they have, and following a long painful period, many of these companies are finally back in profit. Indicative of this trend is the fact This year we introduced 37 new products at IFA. We have accordingly enlarged our booth space by more than 40% compared to last year. Two big trends in audio will be the soundbar market, as mentioned, and wireless. It is very clear that consumers are looking for products that can be easily controlled by their smart device though an app. There are now 35 different products within our portfolio that can be controlled that in Q1, Sony primarily repositioned the operations of its Game and Mobile Products & Communications segments and saw a rise of 5.8% in sales year-onyear with notably a 10% hike in sales in the mobile communications segment, while Panasonic has seen a marked increase in sales and profits year on year. There’s no doubt the Rising Sun is shining brightly at IFA this year. Hiroshi Sasaki, President, Yamaha Music Europe through an application. An exciting launch at IFA is our Relit Light and Sound range, which is a completely new direction in the audio market. The system uses light and shadow on the wall to visualise the music experience. Our three Relit products combine great design, sound and light in one device.. Hall 1.2 Stand 101 20
HOSPITALITY / RESTAURANTS / BARS WHERE TO GOIN BERLIN WWW.WHERETOGOINBERLIN.COM CLUBS / EVENTS / SHOPPING / CULTURE Great place to work, great place to play! Once more the "Lords of the city" have open-heartedly engaged in helping you discover and fall in love with Berlin. Jean-François Pieri & Gérard Lefebvre Executive Director, Cleverdis Managing Director, IFA International President & Founder, Cleverdis Publisher, IFA International Their testimonies have been unique and sometimes filled with emotion on the occasion of this very special year commemorating the 25th anniversary of the wall coming down. We thank here Cornelia Yzer, Berlin Senator for Economics and Research, Klaus Wowereit, Berlin's Governing Mayor, Dr. Stefan Franzke, Managing Director Berlin Partner for Business and Technology, Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin. de, and Robert Herr, General Manager of the InterContinental Berlin, who all gave us - with their own sensitivities and arguments - the desire to enjoy Berlin beyond our stay here for IFA and even the desire to settle here! Berlin is a place of emotion, magic and fun where one can come as a tourist or a businessman or woman passing through, but it’s also a place where you can establish your business. • Previous Edition • • Day 1 Edition • • Weekend Edition • • Day 4 Edition • • Day 5 Edition • CLICK HERE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE CLICK HERE To read each interview in its entirety, click here Berlin is a place of emotion, magic and fun (...) but it's also a place where you can establish your business. Experience the Emotion by accepting the invitation of Mr Kieker to return to Berlin from 7-9 November to attend the spectacular installation of more than 8,000 illuminated balloons across 15km to celebrate the Fall of the Wall anniversary and to revisit all the associated sites. Then find the Magic by following the advice of Ms Yzer and Mr Wowereit to soak up this unique culture based on freedom but also on love, beauty and elegance. Discover opportunities for Business, in taking note with interest of all the facilities offered by the city for entrepreneurs and presented by both Senator Yzer and Mr Franzke. And finally Fun, a common thread within each individually seductive presentation and Mr Herr’s introduction to the multiple artistic, cultural and culinary offerings in a city where differences are not only tolerated, but welcomed with open arms. www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Wednesday 10 th September 2014 21
