The inaugural event, which will take place April 26-28 at Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center, will feature more than 300 properties and educational seminars in the world's third largest market for licensed products.

Licensing Expo Japan 2017, the inaugural networking and educational event for the licensing industry, will open its doors from April 26–28 and will feature more than 50 exhibiting companies with 300-plus properties at Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center.

Japan is the world's third largest market for licensed products after the U.S. and the U.K., and has a highly developed retail market. The Japanese market has seen significant growth in the licensing business in past decades. While a wide range of international brands and characters have been introduced across diverse categories for Japan's licensing business, Japanese players have also developed many well-known, worldwide properties especially in the fields of games, animated films and cartoons. However, there remains a substantial volume of world-class brands and characters in Japan that have yet to debut in the international market and just need a platform to be introduced to international players.

UBM, the owner of Licensing Expo, in cooperation with LIMA, the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association, have launched Licensing Expo Japan to serve as a bridge between Japan's licensing industry and the worldwide market, and to provide an international networking event for the licensing industry with a focus on meetings between licensors and licensees.

"I am excited that many leading international and local agents have decided to participate in this inaugural event. They will serve as a bridge for both local and international players at the show to understand and support each other to develop their properties in both Japan and the international market," says Jessica Blue, senior vice president, licensing, UBM.

Apparel, accessories and footwear represent the largest category for licensing in Japan, with one third of retail sales of licensed products deriving from those categories. IFF MAGIC Japan, the nation's longest-running fashion business trade show, will be held concurrently with Licensing Expo Japan, forming a bridge between the licensing and fashion industries for new business partnerships.

For registration, special rates, venue details and other information, click here.