by Yutaka Fukasawa
In Kobe, the city of pearls, the “Japan Pearl Fair” — an international B2B trade fair — was held for three days from June 8 (Monday) to June 10 (Wednesday), 2026, at Hall 3 of the Kobe International Exhibition Hall.
Organized by the Japan Pearl Promotion Society, this event is a pearl-focused exhibition and business negotiation fair aimed not only at Japanese buyers but also at overseas buyers. Held twice a year, this marked the 8th edition.
The Japan Pearl Fair is strictly B2B and the consumers do not have access to the fair. Furthermore, live-streaming selling, which has become very popular in recent years, is not allowed. This makes it a trade show in its most genuine form, exclusively targeting professional buyers.
Recently, the pearl boom starting several years ago has cooled down, so the fair was not as bustling as before. Nevertheless, serious buyers came from around the world, and transactions took place at each exhibitor’s booth. For exhibitors, the booths are less expensive compared to large-scale trade shows, and exhibiting is more cost-effective. In addition, being held in the pearl companies’ home base of Kobe offers advantages such as lower overhead costs.
On the morning of the first day of the fair, June 8, an opening ceremony was held. At the outset, Mr. Tetsuya Fujita, Chairman of the Japan Pearl Promotion Society (General Incorporated Association), stated in his greeting: “This exhibition has been positioned as a subsidized project of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with pearls designated as a priority export item and our Japan Pearl Promotion Society accredited as an export promotion organization. Our goal is to actively disseminate information overseas about the beauty of Japanese pearls, the high standards of their quality, and environmentally conscious production technologies, thereby increasing exports and bringing us closer to the government’s export targets. For this reason, this trade fair handles no other jewelry — only pearls. It is a hybrid exhibition specializing in B2B, also incorporating an online component. Furthermore, we aim to review the export environment that has been overly dependent on Hong Kong, and to build an environment that enables stable, ongoing transactions. Through this fair, we hope that overseas visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the excellence of Japanese pearls and become well-informed advocates of them. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Pearl Promotion Act. Our Japan Pearl Promotion Society is also advancing cutting-edge initiatives, such as genome analysis of the Akoya pearl oyster, and is working toward stable supply. We kindly request continued cooperation from government officials, as well as from the local Hyogo Prefecture and Kobe City governments.”
Next, as a VIP guest speaker, Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan and Vice-Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Pearl Promotion Parliamentary League, offered words of encouragement: “I hope that this Japan Pearl Fair will help spread pearls to the world from Kobe, my hometown. I pledge our support as well.”
Following him, Mr. Masahito Moriyama, Member of the House of Representatives and Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Pearl Promotion Parliamentary League, stated: “I am delighted that this Japan Pearl Fair has become established in Pearl City Kobe. It is very gratifying that the high quality of Japanese Akoya pearls is recognized worldwide. On the other hand, to ensure a stable supply to meet demand in the future, we must strengthen our production systems. To that end, in cooperation with the Fisheries Agency, whose officials are here today, we must work to develop Japanese Akoya oysters more resistant to disease and deepen scientific knowledge regarding issues such as global warming — including rising seawater temperatures — and nutritional challenges. Furthermore, including improvements in distribution, we want to make it so that people feel they must come to Kobe to physically view, touch, and experience pearls. Our parliamentary league wishes to continue cooperating in the development of Japan’s pearl industry.”
Subsequently, Mr. Junji Hasegawa, Director of the Secretariat of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Pearl Promotion Parliamentary League, remarked: “My constituency is Uwajima City in Ehime Prefecture, a pearl-producing region. There was a difficult period when Akoya oyster deaths were a problem, but conditions have now improved and the production areas are regaining their vitality. However, production volume still cannot keep up with demand, and there are concerns about the future, particularly due to the aging of mother-shell producers. Therefore, I believe that selling Japanese pearls around the world and ensuring that Japan’s pearl industry thrives will also lead to the revitalization of production areas. I hope this Japan Pearl Fair will serve as an ideal opportunity to promote pearls globally.”
Mr. George J. Kakuda, President of the Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association told Gem Spectrum media in the on-site exclusive interview that: “The pearl market has been overheated for the past few years, but it is now calming down. The Chinese market is our largest market, but diversity is also necessary. For this Japan Pearl Fair, we have invited not only Chinese buyers but also buyers from India and South America. We are open to the world.”
The 8th Japan Pearl Fair welcomed a B2B buyer delegation from China and arranged a special pearl identification course.
On the evening of the first day, a welcome party was held, where overseas buyers and members of Japan’s pearl industry enjoyed lively networking.
Event Overview of the 8th Japan Pearl Fair
– Dates: June 8–10, 2026
– Venue: Kobe International Exhibition Hall, Hall 3
– Organizers: Japan Pearl Promotion Society (General Incorporated Association) (+ Pearl Industry Collaboration Strengthening Council)
– Co-organizer: Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association
– Cooperating Organization: Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro)
– Supporters: Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City
– Exhibitors: Over 100 Japanese pearl companies
– Exhibits: Pearls processed using Japanese techniques; loose Akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls, South Sea pearls, threaded strands, and pearl jewelry
– Admission: Free (registration in advance required)
✨ Save the Date! ✨ the 9th Japan Pearl Fair
📅 9 – 11 November 2026
📍 Kobe International Exhibition Hall
About the author:
Yutaka Fukasawa is the Editor-in-Chief of Japan Precious, a well-known jewelry specialty magazine for more than 30 years. He is the Chief Representative of Japan Jewelry Journalist Association and is currently serving as the chairman of the Japan Jewelry Trade Association, supporting the expansion of overseas jewelry brands into Japan market and the overseas market expansion of Japanese companies.
Yutaka Fukasawa graduated from Sophia University, Faculty of Economics. At Yano Research Institute Ltd, he engaged in market research and analysis in the field of jewelry, fashion, accessories and retail industries.
Also, he has been participating in the jewelry market research and lectures in Japan and overseas. The countries he has visited for research and lectures include Italy, Brazil, UAE, Russia, Israel, Belgium, Thailand, China and so on.
