On November 21, 2024, CIFF Guangzhou successfully hosted its first-ever promotion event in Tokyo, Japan, as part of the InterBiz Club Global Tour. With over 70 esteemed representatives from Japanese furniture and furnishing associations, trade organizations, import agencies, retail chains, design firms, and media outlets in attendance, the event facilitated direct and meaningful exchanges to strengthen collaboration and development within the home furnishing industries of China and Japan.
According to data from China Customs, the total value of China’s trade in goods for the first ten months of this year reached RMB36.02 trillion, an increase of 5.2% year-on-year. Among this, exports amounted to RMB20.8 trillion, growing by 6.7%, while imports totaled RMB15.22 trillion, with a 3.2% increase. Notably, the export value of furniture and its components hit RMB390.45 billion, a year-on-year growth of 8.8%, showcasing the stability and resilience of China’s foreign trade. Additionally, starting November 30, 2024, China will implement a visa-free entry policy for citizens of 38 countries, including Japan, allowing entry for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, and exchanges — ushering in new opportunities for international collaboration.
A Star-Studded Event with Industry Leaders
The Tokyo promotion event saw the participation of
several prominent Japanese industry leaders and influential figures, including:
? Eiichi Nukina, Chairman of
Japan Office and Institutional Furniture Association (JOIFA)
? Hiroko Machida, President of
Machida Interior Design Academy
? Chrys Kikuchi, Secretary
General of International Building
Materials Forum
? Akinari Ii, Representative of Japan
Wood Products Export Association
? Toru Otabe, President of Kagu
Shimbun
? Mitsuhiro Arakawa, President
of Kazama Yokohama
? Kenji Takeda, Representative
Director of Amico Inc.
? Tsuyoshi Sadayama,
Representative Director of Mountain View
? Katsuya Yamauchi, President of
K Studio Tokyo
? Fumiaki Sato, CEO of Values
Corp
? Kimiko Okumura, President of
Alfa Spazio
At the event, Mr. Zhao Wei, representative of CIFF
Guangzhou’s organizer, delivered a comprehensive presentation about the latest
developments of CIFF Guangzhou. He announced that the 55th CIFF Guangzhou,
set to take place on March 18–21 and March 28–31, 2025, will center on
the theme “Powered by Design.” The exhibition will focus on new products,
technologies, models, ecosystems, and drivers of innovation, aiming to become a
powerful platform for professionals in the home furnishing industry to access
global resources and markets. Japanese professionals from the furniture and decoration
industries were sincerely invited to attend and explore this vast business
opportunity in Guangzhou.
Strong Endorsements from Japanese Industry
Leaders
Mr. Osamu Okada, President of Japan
Furniture Industry Development Association (JFA), conveyed his support for CIFF
Guangzhou through a message delivered by Mr. Toru Otabe, President of Kagu
Shimbun. He expressed high recognition for CIFF and encouraged Japanese
enterprises to take advantage of this international platform to expand their
global reach.
Mr. Eiichi Nukina, Chairman of Japan Office
and Institutional Furniture Association(JOIFA), praised CIFF Guangzhou’s Office
and Commercial Space, which is held annually from March 28–31. He
highlighted the exhibition’s reputation as the world’s largest trade show for
office and commercial furniture, offering cutting-edge solutions and showcasing
global trends in workplace design. Mr. Nukina expressed his eagerness to attend
the 2025 event.
Ms. Hiroko Machida, President of Machida
Interior Design Academy, shared her enthusiasm for CIFF Guangzhou’s emphasis on
design leadership, which is reflected in the participation of over 4,700
leading brands. She expressed her hope for future collaborations with Chinese
furniture brands and designers, emphasizing the importance of interior design
in enhancing the quality of living spaces.
Mr. Chrys Kikuchi, Director of International
Building Materials Forum (IBMF), reflected on his positive experiences during
business visits to China, praising the country’s strong international trade
environment, hospitality, and scenic beauty. He expressed his commitment to
fostering closer ties between the Chinese and Japanese industries.
Professor Miyuki Nakaoka from the University
of Kitakyushu, who has a PhD in economics and has studied in China, also
attended the event. She shared her research findings on China’s home furnishing
and construction markets, offering valuable insights into consumer preferences,
renovation opportunities, and the enormous potential of the Chinese market.
Strengthening Partnerships Through Industry
Visits
In addition to the promotion event, the CIFF
Guangzhou delegation visited major Japanese furniture distributors and
importers, including Tokyo Interiors, ASPLUND, Taishodo, SII, and Fuji Boeki. High-level
executives and key buyers expressed strong interest in CIFF and applauded its
innovative “8+365” online and offline trade matchmaking services. Both sides
agreed to further communication and confirmed plans to meet again at the 55th
CIFF Guangzhou.
The delegation also visited flagship stores of
Japan’s top furniture retailers, such as NITORI, the country’s largest
furniture retailer, and IDC OTSUKA, a high-end retail chain. These
visits offered valuable insights into the Japanese market, where the concept of
“total home solutions” has begun to take shape. Retailers like NITORI and IDC
OTSUKA are pioneering curated showroom spaces, showcasing furniture alongside
appliances and offering integrated interior design services—many of which
feature products made in China.
CIFF: A Bridge to the Future
The successful Tokyo event marks another milestone
for CIFF’s InterBiz Club Global Tour. With growing international support and an
ever-expanding vision, CIFF Guangzhou continues to serve as a bridge connecting
the global home furnishing industry to the thriving Chinese market.
Join us at the 55th CIFF Guangzhou in March
2025 and be part of the innovation and collaboration shaping the future of the
home furnishing world.
