Message from the Organizer

Welcome to Ambiente Frankfurt. It is a real pleasure to have this opportunity to introduce these modern-lifestyle products and designers from Japan to everyone attending this important exhibition.
The global economy has yet to break free from the current deep recession. In such challenging times, the business world demands innovation: new products, new partners, new business models. As consumers' modes of living diversify, anticipating their needs and proactively bringing solutions to market is the surest path to business success. The Japanese companies and designers exhibiting at Ambiente Frankfurt offer products and ideas of the finest quality, imbued with a uniquely Japanese aesthetic. Drawing on a long and impressive track record, these design professionals bring with them a new and captivating vision of the near future for consumers around the world.
In the lifestyle products area of Ambiente, you'll find offerings from companies that have received high acclaim at the sozo_comm booth, presented by Maison & Objets of Paris. These products place the accent on function as well as aesthetics, adding richness to everyday life. Be sure to take a look at this fascinating booth, which is certain to attract eager buyers. Then in the designer area, Japanese designers on the front lines of the design world showcase their activities and explain how their fresh and compelling designs can contribute to manufacturers' product development.
The products and ideas on display at Ambiente Frankfurt offer unprecedented value-added. Here you're sure to find the perfect addition to your product lineup.

Ministry of Economy,Trade and Industry, Japan

Message from
Executive producer

Japanese design is elegant: beautiful in its simplicity.
But it is beautiful for other reasons as well.
The greatest allure of Japanese design is the way its natural, comfortable ease of use, and the feeling of completeness it imparts, brings success to the businesses that order Japanese-designed products and equipment.
The true role of design is not to trick the consumer into buying frivolous but eye-catching goods, driving needless mass production and consumption.
Real design is a dialogue between maker and user, in which the manufacturer understands what the user truly needs, and the user understands what the manufacturer hopes to achieve through the act of producing it.
Its true role is to bring these producing and consumer societies together, in ways that contribute to the community and the global environment.
Many sound designers active in Japan formulate their own design philosophies, but this fundamental principle guides them consistently in the production and communication activities of which business is made.
Behind the simple beauty of every great Japanese design is a simple and sincere design philosophy. This approach to design is what the world needs now.

Kazuya Shimokawa
Editor-in-Chief
NIKKEI DESIGN Magazine