Label Forum Japan 2026 Announced Full Conference Program
May 15, 2026
20 Sessions Across Two Days at Tokyo Big Sight’s International Conference Hall
Label Forum Japan 2026, Japan’s leading event dedicated to the label and package printing industry, has announced its full conference program. The event will take place from October 14–16, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan.
While the exhibition will be held in West Hall 3 throughout the three-day event, the conference program will take place on October 14–15 at the International Conference Hall, the largest conference venue within Tokyo Big Sight. Now in its eighth edition since its launch in 2006, the conference will be held in its largest venue to date.
The conference program features 20 sessions across six categories:
- Keynote Sessions
- Brand Owner Sessions
- Converter Sessions
- Industry Association Sessions
- Academic Sessions
- Technical Sessions
All presentations will be supported by simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation, creating a truly international platform with nearly half of the speakers coming from outside Japan.
Keynote Sessions
The keynote program will provide insights into both the Japanese and global label markets.
Label Shimbun’s editorial team will present an overview of the Japanese label market, while Andy Thomas, Strategic Director of LOUPE (formerly the Labelexpo Global Series) at Informa Markets, will share the latest developments in the global label industry. His presentation will examine growth opportunities, market challenges, and future industry directions amid increasing uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions, rising material costs, and supply chain disruptions.
Technical keynote presentations will feature Makoto Inoue, Deputy General Manager of the Technology & Development Office at LINTEC Corporation, and Tomoaki Kimura, General Manager of the Label Press Business Development Department at Seiko Epson Corporation. They will discuss sustainability initiatives, advances in label converting technologies, and the expansion of digital printing markets.
Brand Owner Sessions
Brand Owner Sessions will explore how labels and packaging contribute to consumer engagement and brand value creation.
Hiroyuki Osawa, General Manager of the Sustainability Promotion Department at FamilyMart, will present “The Powerful Impact of a Single Label – Solving Social Challenges Through Communicative Design.” His session will demonstrate how labels can become powerful communication tools for reducing food waste and encouraging consumer action.
Takashi Okutani, Chief Omni-Channel Officer at Oisix ra daichi, will discuss how successful brands design customer experiences in the digital era and transform customer touchpoints into meaningful engagement.
Joining from the United States, Andy Black, CEO of Spanner, will share practical examples from global brands, covering color reproduction, quality management, workflow development, and production standards required by international brand owners.
Converter Sessions
Leading converter executives and industry innovators will present their perspectives on the future of label manufacturing and business development.
Speakers include:
- Tadashi Matsuguchi, President & CEO, OSP Holdings
- Yukinori Okamoto, CEO, goof Inc.
- Alex May, Chief Strategy Officer, Cymmetrik Group
Topics will include sustainable business strategies, the impact of inflationary economies, digital print manufacturing, print-on-demand infrastructure, global business transformation, and innovation-driven growth.
Industry Association Sessions
Ray Weiss, Vice President of eLearning and Certifications at PRINTING United Alliance, will provide an overview of the latest developments in the North American and global printing industries, with a particular focus on workforce development and industry education.
The conference will conclude with a panel discussion hosted by the Japan Federation of Seal Printing Cooperatives (JFLP). Participants will include JFLP Chairman Yu Tanaka, Young Leaders Council President Hidenori Abe, and Yohei Akimoto, President of NOROSHI Co., Ltd. Together they will discuss:
“Creating Value Through Collective Intelligence in the Age of AI.”
Academic Session
Qianing Ma, Special Research Fellow of the Omori Laboratory at the Graduate School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University, will present research on optimizing supply chains for label manufacturing, including order management, production scheduling, and procurement optimization.
Technical Sessions
Technical Sessions will feature presentations from leading global suppliers, including:
- GEW
- BOBST
- HP
- Xeikon Japan
- Heidelberg Japan
- Roland DG
Topics will focus on label printing technologies, UV curing systems, automation, sustainability, labor-saving solutions, and next-generation production technologies.
Networking Opportunities
Dedicated networking breaks will be held throughout the conference, allowing attendees to meet speakers, exchange business cards, and engage in discussions with industry peers from around the world.
Conference Pass Information
Conference passes will be available beginning June 1, 2026.
Two pass options are available:
1DAY PASS
- Standard Price: JPY 20,000
- Early-Bird Price: JPY 15,000
2DAY PASS
- Standard Price: JPY 27,000
- Early-Bird Price: JPY 20,000
(All prices include tax.)
Early-bird registration is available through September 30, 2026.
Participants who purchase passes by July 31 will receive additional benefits, including priority entry lanes and preferential seating. A special group offer is also available, providing one complimentary pass for every ten passes purchased.
For full conference details and registration, please visit the official conference website.
