Int.Home Care &
Rehabilitation Exhibition

News

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H.C.R. 2002 News No. 2 (Nov/14/2002）

• Moving Towards H.C.R. 2003
• 617 Companies From 15 Countries and 1 Territory
• Visitors From Social Welfare Institutions and Home Care Services Sectors Continue to Increase From Prior Year
• Beyond Industry Boundaries, Latest Home Care & Rehabilitation Equipment in One Place
• Visitor Questionnaire Results（8,583 Respondents）
• Domestic Exhibitors Questionnaire Results（253 Respondents）
• Questionnaire Results for Overseas Exhibitors
• 30th Int. Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition H.C.R. 2003 to be Held Next October
  

Moving Towards H.C.R. 2003

This year’s H.C.R. 2002, held in September of this year was a vibrant exhibition with 617 exhibitors from 15 countries and 130,000 visitors.

In recent years, the latest technology and techniques being used in other fields are also being implemented in the development of home care and rehabilitation equipment. At H.C.R. 2002, products such as: 1) Care products and daily living aids utilizing the expertise and ingenuity to support the home care and independent living of the elderly; 2) Wheelchairs and other mobility equipment that may be selected by major use; 3) IT equipment to enhance communication; 4) Home and construction facilities to ensure a secure home environment; 5) Cars with large-sized lifts, RV’s and compact cars by the world’s leading car manufacturers were exhibited. Owing to the participation and cooperation of the companies and organizations, industry boundaries were surpassed and enhancements in the quality and quantity of the exhibition took great strides in progress.

If manufacturers develop products from the point of view of those who use home care and rehabilitation equipment, then, users will be able to more effectively utilize such products. Additionally, as the needs of users will be brought to light, manufacturers will be able to develop and make routine product modifications according to the users needs. As there is a wide range in visitor categories attending our H.C.R. exhibitions, it is our hope that the development of home care and rehabilitation equipment will progress even further through interchanges and information exchanges by the visitors and exhibitors at H.C.R.

Since our beginning in 1974, next year’s H.C.R. 2003 will be our 30th exhibition. The Health and Welfare Information Association, together with the Japan National Council of Social Welfare will organize the H.C.R. exhibition as our core undertaking and will also endeavor to gather and provide information on home care and rehabilitation equipment and other related topics. In addition, by providing information to services providers of social welfare services, a deeper understanding of home care and rehabilitation equipment may be manifest. In this way, we will persevere in our efforts to further the development and distribution of such equipment. We express our appreciation for everyone’s support and cooperation of our H.C.R. exhibitions.

Akira Suetsugu, President
Health and Welfare Information Association

617 Companies From 15 Countries and 1 Territory

The total number of domestic exhibitors was 536, which was 16 less than the previous year. The number of first time exhibitors was 98. At the exhibition site, various types of home care and rehabilitation equipment to satisfy the individual needs of users for all aspects of daily living were displayed at one place. There was a wider range in the choice of products which surpassed last year’s selection.

In regard to overseas participation, there were 81 companies from 14 countries and 1 territory. Of those companies, almost 90% had Japanese agents or a company registered in Japan. During the H.C.R. 2002 exhibition, 4 overseas companies found a new agent in Japan.

Visitors From Social Welfare Institutions and Home Care Services Sectors Continue to Increase From Prior Year

The largest number ever of 137,112 visitors came during the 3 day exhibition. There was an increase of visitors from the Social Welfare Institutions and Home Care Services sectors, as was last year. (Social Welfare Institution: up 1.3 %, Home Care Services: up 1.7 %)

In recent years, we have also seen a distinctive trend of more home care and rehabilitation equipment users visiting H.C.R. Within the many booths, end users exchanging opinions and relating their personal product preferences with exhibitors could readily be seen.

Total Number Visitors: 137,112
Tuesday, September 10 (Rain, followed by cloudy weather): 40,425 persons
Wednesday, September 11 (Fine weather): 51,001 persons
Thursday, September 12 (Fine weather): 45,686 persons

Beyond Industry Boundaries, Latest Home Care & Rehabilitation Equipment in One Place

Just prior to holding the H.C.R. 2002 exhibition, we conducted a survey on the business trends of exhibitors and found that the overall sales of the home care and rehabilitation equipment market in Japan had a 0.6% growth in comparison to the previous year and had virtually leveled off. Among the various sectors, there have been steady growth in the mobility equipment and daily living aids categories.

This market trend is also reflected in the activities of the H.C.R. exhibitors, as the number of exhibitors displaying manual and powered wheelchairs has reached record highs. Additionally, exhibits such as “educational materials, equipment and facilities for rehabilitation," and "alarm and warning devices for emergencies" have increased.

On the other hand, the exhibits of beds, bathing and other such related products have slightly decreased.

On the whole, there was a broader range in the selection of products to satisfy the various daily needs of equipment users, as could be seen throughout the exhibition halls.

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Visitor Questionnaire Results (8,583 Respondents)

1. Purpose for visiting H.C.R. 2002 (Multiple responses)

2. What types of products were you looking for? (Multiple responses)

3. In regard to home care & rehabilitation products, what would you like to see? (Multiple responses)

4. Are you using overseas products?

5. Did you find any overseas products at H.C.R. 2002 that you would like to use?

6. In regard to the overseas products, what features were impressive?　（Multiple responses）

◆Opinions on Home Care & Rehabilitation Equipment

• It is a big risk to purchase products by catalog. A trial period to test products is needed.
• Would like to see a wider variety of equipment for children. Although these products might be expensive as there are not many users, we hope the manufacturers will provide consideration.
• The contractors remodeled our house as they liked and there is a handrail that no one can use. We hope a system will be set up where we can feel at ease to consult with experts involved in home remodeling.
• The variety of products has expanded over the past few years, however, the prices have not changed at all. As these products are needed for our daily living, the prices should be more affordable.
• There is concern about the safety standards. Although inexpensive products have increased lately, there is uncertainty about the reliability.
• If there were centers in each community that provided general information and assistance, the usage of equipment could be promoted. To this day, we do not even know where we should go for assistance.
• There is very little information regarding how each manufacturer will respond to our needs when something doesn't work. Maintenance and routine inspection of products are needed.
• In many cases, the prices are not clearly indicated.
• It is very difficult to obtain information. Would like to see permanent home care and rehabilitation equipment exhibitions in more communities. Also, the exhibitions like H.C.R. should be held in various regions.
• Would like the municipalities to provide seminars on how to use home care and rehabilitation equipment. If it is difficult for the local government to hold such seminars, they can do so with the cooperation of the equipment shops of each community.
• Would like inexpensive, user-friendly equipment with limited functions. It appears that unnecessary functions make for prices higher.
• If customization becomes the norm, then home care and rehabilitation equipment will progress drastically.
• It is hard to understand why equipment covered by the care insurance system is so limited. As home care and rehabilitation equipment is used to support our every day living, all equipment should be covered by the care insurance system.
• Although new products are developed continuously, there must also be many good standard products that are easy to use. Hope distribution and information of such basic products will be promoted more.

◆Comments on H.C.R. Website

• Would like information provided on where to purchase equipment and how to receive public assistance, and so forth.
• It would be great if we can search for products by symptom or disability.
• Is it not possible to have categories for children and for institutional use.
• Hope the users' comments will be provided.

◆Comments on H.C.R. 2002

• Signs with equipment symbol marks were very helpful, but it would also be good to have the symbol marks on the ground.
• In comparison to other exhibitions, H.C.R. has many trial and experimental products displayed which was a good feature. It appeared that manufacturers were trying to develop products more precisely by exchanging opinions with visitors and doing research. Such an attitude left us with a favorable impression of the manufacturers.
• The registration took too long to get in. Need to have more registration counters.
• What about having a 4 day exhibition so that 1 day can be set aside for a negotiation day only for such persons.
• Would like to have larger characters for the exhibition guide pamphlets.
• Would like to see information counters set up within the exhibition halls.
• I was dissatisfied with the directing of traffic by security guards and their response during the traffic jam to get into the parking lot, although it was probably due to the construction around the Big Sight area.
• Every year we are seeing more lounges,but there still doesn’t seem to be enough.
• In comparison to other exhibitions, the aisles were wide and I felt it was very considerate.
• It would be good to have a booth to obtain the opinions of users.
• It was appreciated that there was a sign language interpreter at the information counter.
• Not only certain specialists, but the general public is also attending the exhibition and it is valuable to be able to increase the understanding of HCR equipment. On the other hand, it means that there are not many specialists that one can ask for assistance.
• It was great to have an exhibition guide in Braille. Next year it would be nice to have a more detailed guide.
• The noise level of the demonstrations of the large booths were too loud. For hearing aid users, it was a very trying exhibition.
• Please include Saturday and Sunday in the exhibition period.
• It was difficult to get from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor as there were so few elevators.
• Please set up an area for equipment for children only.
• Please have the exhibition in the same month every year. Mid-September overlaps with the Day for the Elderly and is difficult to attend the exhibition.
• It was a great opportunity to be able to actually see and test the products that one can usually only see in the catalogs.

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Domestic Exhibitors Questionnaire Results (235 Respondents)

1. Was it beneficial to participate in H.C.R. 2002?

2. In specific, how was it beneficial? (Multiple responses)

◆Domestic Exhibitors Comments

• H.C.R. is very beneficial for our future product development, as we were able to see what
  product modifications were needed to be made by gathering information from users.
• We were able to approach our target social welfare institutions and age groups, and
  were also approached by a company to do business together; thus, participation in H.C.R. was very worthwhile.
• Is it possible to include Saturday and Sunday in the exhibition period only for the general public?
• There seemed to be very few care managers in attendance

3. What did you think about the zoning by product categories?

◆Domestic Exhibitors Comments

• The zoning was easier to distinguish than the previous year.
• It seems difficult to separate exhibitors with several product lines into one particular
  zone.

4. Does your company handle overseas products?

5. How many new products a year does your company launch?

◆Opinions on H.C.R. 2002 by Domestic Exhibitors

• The volume of demonstrations was too loud. The rules should be more strictly enforced.
• Would like to have Saturday included in the exhibition period.
• The scale of the exhibition has become larger and it is beneficial to be able to see all types of home care and rehabilitation equipment. On the other hand, it is a concern that the focus of visitors is distracted. Is it possible to feature a particular product type each year?
• Please have the exhibition in the same month every year.
• Is it possible to make the hall entrance hours earlier for exhibitors?
• We would like to see rules clearly spelled out and enforced regarding sales at the exhibition site.
• The prices of the designated decorator’s rental furniture are expensive.

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Questionnaire Results for Overseas Exhibitors

1. Participation in H.C.R. 2002:

2. By participating in H.C.R. 2002, our company : (multiple responses)

◆Exhibitors Comments:

• In comparison to 3 years ago, our sales in Japan has increased 10%.
• We attend H.C.R. to understand the Japanese market demands.
• We made contacts with companies that may become our agents.
• Thanks to my agent's follow-up after the show, it was beneficial.
• It is our first time to exhibit, we will probably see results in six months.
• Rules about noise and sound levels should be imposed.
• Would like a day for distributors and buyers only, and not for the general public.
• The no picture taking rule should be enforced.

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30th Int. Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition H.C.R. 2003 to be Held Next October

The commemorative 30th Int. Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition, H.C.R. 2003 will be held from October 15, 2003.

The application period will begin on February 28, 2003. We look forward to the participation of many companies and organizations at H.C.R. 2003.

Schedule

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