Hyper Japan

{{Short description|Anime convention in the United Kingdom}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2016}} {{Use British English|date=July 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|cs1-dates=y|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox Convention | name = HYPER JAPAN | image = File:Hyper Japan (59079).jpg | caption = Hyper Japan in 2016 | status = Active | genre = Japanese culture | venue = Varies | location = London | country = United Kingdom | first = 2010 | last = 2025 | organizer = Cross Media | filing = | attendance = ''See below'' | website = [http://hyperjapan.co.uk/ hyperjapan.co.uk] }}

'''HYPER JAPAN''' is the largest exhibition celebrating Japanese culture to be held in the UK. Organized by Cross Media Ltd., it was first held in London 2010, and since 2014, has taken place twice a year, in July and November. It takes place in Olympia, London.

==Overview== Centred on Japanese cuisine and popular culture such as gaming, manga, anime and music, the event introduces a wide range of Japanese culture, encompassing technology, fashion, traditional crafts. The venue is divided into three main areas; the stage area, the exhibition area and the experience area. The summer and winter events have different themes. The theme of the summer event is a festival of popular culture, while the winter event is a shopping and merchandising event centred around Christmas shopping.

HYPER JAPAN was developed in 2010, the brainchild of Cross Media Ltd.’s President and Representative Director Mr. Kazuhiro Marumo, as a fusion of Japanese cuisine, which is increasingly popular in the UK, and Japanese pop culture, which was already booming across Europe. In this sense, it is different from the many pop culture events that are currently held around the world by local fan communities.

===History===

From the first event in 2010 to the fifth event in 2013, HYPER JAPAN was staged irregularly, roughly once every nine months. Since 2014, it has been held twice a year, with a summer event in July and a Christmas event in winter. Since 2015, the summer event has taken place the week after the Japan Expo in Paris, and the Christmas event is held during the last weekend in November, which coincides with Black Friday.

===Venues===

As the event has grown in scale, it has moved to larger venues around London. In 2017, it took place in Tobacco Dock in the east of the city.

===Partners===

From the first event until the present, the Tokyo head office of the {{ill|Japan Publications Trading Co., Ltd|ja|日本出版貿易}} has been an official event partner, and has provided back-up for exhibitors coming from Japan. In 2014, {{ill|ASOBISYSTEM, Co., Ltd.|ja|アソビシステム}}, which is home to model Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, joined as an official partner, and HYPER KAWAii was staged as a sub-event as a collaboration between HYPER JAPAN and HARAJUKU KAWAii.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HYPER-JAPAN-2014-Post-Event-press-release-1.pdf |title=HYPER JAPAN 2014: Post-event Press Release |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028165014/http://hyperjapan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HYPER-JAPAN-2014-Post-Event-press-release-1.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The event is also sponsored by Japanese governmental and industry bodies such as the Embassy of Japan in London, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR), the Japan Foundation, the Association of Japanese Animations, the {{ill|Visual Industry Promotion Organization|ja|映像産業振興機構}} (VIPO), the Foundation for the Promotion of Music Industry and Culture (PROMIC) and the Digital Content Association of Japan. ===Japanese cuisine===

A number of sub-events are organized as part of the event, all allowing visitors to vote for their favourite food and drink. The Sushi Awards aim to find the best sushi in the UK, the Sake Experience gathers together ten Japanese sake brewers with the aim of finding the UK's favourite sake and the Sake Cocktail awards determines the nation's favourite sake cocktail. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has also participated on numerous occasions, holding cooking demonstrations, tasting corners and stage shows to drive publicity of Japanese cuisine and ingredients.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/2015Festival/HYPER%20JAPAN%20Festival%202015_Post-Event%20Press%20Release.pdf |title=HYPER JAPAN Festival 2015: Post-event Press Release |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026201910/http://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/2015Festival/HYPER%20JAPAN%20Festival%202015_Post-Event%20Press%20Release.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many Japanese food manufacturers also take part by taking exhibitor stands and doing cooking demonstrations.

===Japanese popular culture===

Many UK-based exhibitors sell a range of goods, including toys, figurines, clothing, books, magazines, fashion accessories, homeware, kitchen items, stationery and comics related to Japanese popular culture. A number of Japanese companies have exhibited as well, including Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Square Enix, Konami, Toei Animation, Kodansha Europe and Niconico.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ12Sp_FinalRelease_EN.pdf |title=HYPER JAPAN 2012 Spring: Post-event Press Release |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026203119/http://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ12Sp_FinalRelease_EN.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since the first event, there has been a Cosplay show participated in by UK-based fans, and for a time, the UK heat of the World Cosplay Summit was held at the event.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ11_Post_Event_010811_EN.pdf |title=HYPER JAPAN 2011: Post-event Press Release |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026203333/http://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ11_Post_Event_010811_EN.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many guest speakers from Japan have also appeared, including producer Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, director Naoyoshi Shiotani, writer {{ill|Hirokatsu Kihara|ja|木原浩勝}}, voice actor Takashi Kondo and film director Satoshi Miki. Commenting just after his appearance, Ishikawa said, “I had thought that the UK was a conservative country, and may not appreciate the kind of edgy works we were creating, but I really feel that truly great work can transcend national boundaries. I really get the impression that Japanese culture is appreciated, so I hope that this kind of event will continue in the future.”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ12C_post%20event_nov30.pdf |title=HYPER JAPAN 2012 Christmas: Post-event Press Release |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026203744/http://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ12C_post%20event_nov30.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Musical performances===

There is a live stage at the venue, where acts that have performed include Yoshiki and ToshI of X Japan, Tomoyasu Hotei, Dempagumi.inc, Misaki Iwasa, May J., {{ill|Jaru Jaru|ja|ジャルジャル}} and {{ill|Siro-A|ja|白A}}. Some performances have been live-streamed in Japan courtesy of Niconico.<ref>[http://www.xplosion-online.com/?p=4550#.WZ4eHyiGPtQ “X JAPAN Channel on niconico & Special 30-hour program”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831044754/http://www.xplosion-online.com/?p=4550#.WZ4eHyiGPtQ |date=2017-08-31 }}. X Plosion. 9 July 2015.</ref>

===Fashion===

As well as a merchandise area, there is always a kawaii fashion show for fans to take part in. In the past, a fashion show has also been held as a collaboration between model Misako Aoki and shironuri artist MINORI. At HYPER JAPAN 2011, a UK Kawaii Star of the Year contest was held,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ11_Post_Event_010811_EN.pdf |title=HYPER JAPAN 2011: Post-event Press Release |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026203333/http://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ11_Post_Event_010811_EN.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which featured musician Kanon Wakeshima as a guest judge.

===Technology===

Japanese technology company ITK, which is best known for its handroid robotic hand, has appeared every year since 2011, either on stage or in a booth, showcasing their very latest technology. At HYPER JAPAN 2014 there was a guest appearance by Tomotaka Takahashi, who developed Kirobo, the world's first robotic astronaut, where he demonstrated his creation. <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HYPER-JAPAN-2014-Post-Event-press-release-1.pdf |title=HYPER JAPAN 2014: Post-event Press Release |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028165014/http://hyperjapan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HYPER-JAPAN-2014-Post-Event-press-release-1.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Traditional arts===

In addition to sales of kimono, Japanese accessories and other traditional craft products and workshops, there are performances of martial arts, buyō (Japanese dancing), shamisen, shakuhachi, koto and taiko drum playing, tea ceremony, flower arranging and other traditional Japanese crafts. There is also an exhibition of bonsai by the Federation of British Bonsai Societies, which has previously been awarded a gold medal at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HYPER-JAPAN-2014-Post-Event-press-release-1.pdf |title=HYPER JAPAN 2014: Post-event Press Release |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028165014/http://hyperjapan.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HYPER-JAPAN-2014-Post-Event-press-release-1.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2013, there was a guest appearance by the Australian geisha Sayuki (real name: Fiona Graham) who was the first ever non-Japanese geisha.<ref>[http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/25/meet-sayuki-the-worlds-first-western-geisha-3897452/ “Meet Sayuki, the world’s first western geisha”]. Metro. 25 July 2013.</ref> Together with other geisha from her house she provided a behind the scenes view of a geisha house, including dressing, make-up and practising.

===Tourism and regional promotion===

Besides governmental bodies such as the JNTO, CLAIR and the Tokyo Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, UK-based travel agents specialising in trips to Japan also participate from time to time. In addition, representatives from Okinawa Prefecture, Fukuoka City, Shizuoka City, Nantan City and others have attended for reasons of regional promotion.

===Charity===

HYPER JAPAN 2011 was held to help reconstruction in the aftermath of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, under the banner of Genki Giving. Donation money was raised via the earthquake exhibition section, charity raffle and workshops. The organizers also donated a portion of the sponsorship and ticket revenue from that event to the Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund organized by the Japan Society.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ11_Post_Event_010811_EN.pdf |title=HYPER JAPAN 2011: Post-event Press Release |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026203333/http://hyperjapan.co.uk/download/pr/HJ11_Post_Event_010811_EN.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Events== thumb|Craft Workshop at Hyper Japan {|class="wikitable sortable" align="center" !Event !class="unsortable"|Date <!--!class="unsortable"|City add thi column if held in different cities in future--> !|Venue !|Attendance !|Guests |- |{{Sort|01|HYPER JAPAN 2010}} |1–3 October 2010 |sort|The Old Truman Brewery |13,000 | |- |{{Sort|02|HYPER JAPAN 2011}} |22–24 July 2011 |sort|Olympia Two |25,000 | |- |{{Sort|03|HYPER JAPAN 2012 Spring}} <ref>[http://www.hyperjapan.co.uk/images/stories/2012-christmas/doc_files/hj2012_spring_post_event.pdf Hyper Japan 2012 Spring Event]</ref> |24–26 February 2012 |Earl's Court |35,000 |Natsuko Aso |- |{{Sort|04|HYPER JAPAN 2012 Christmas}} |23–25 November 2012 |Earl's Court |46,000 | |- |{{Sort|05|HYPER JAPAN 2013}} |26–28 July 2013 |Earl's Court |62,000 |Yun*Chi |- |{{Sort|06|HYPER JAPAN 2014}} |25–27 July 2014 |Earl's Court |84,000 |Yanakiku, Broken Doll, Hibiki Ichikawa, Akari Mochizuki, One Not'e, Siro-A, Mayuco, Den, Yun*Chi, Anna Yano, Ayumi Seto, Emma & Eri Tanioku, EVA, Naga Yanagi, NEEKO, Pochi, Yura, Kaede Ozawa, Himezawa |- |{{Sort|07|HYPER JAPAN 2014 Christmas Market}} |14–16 November 2014 |Olympia |50,000 |NeM, Hiroko Tanaka Nihon Buyo, Akari Mochizuki, Hibiki Ichikawa, SOAS Min'yo, SIRO-A, Anna Yano, Koike Miyu, Diana Garnet, Joe Inoue |- |{{Sort|08|HYPER JAPAN Festival 2015}} |10–12 July 2015 |The O2 |86,000 |Tokyo Girl's Style, May J., Dempagumi.inc, Eir Aoi, Yoshiki, Toshi, Kobun Shizuno, Die Milch, Takamasa Sakurai, Hirokatsu Kihara |- |{{Sort|09|HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market 2015}} |27–29 November 2015 |Tobacco Dock |50,000 |Ladybaby, Minori, Enrique Gomez, James Hawkins, Salvatore Maggio |- |{{Sort|10|HYPER JAPAN Festival 2016}} |15–17 July 2016 |Olympia |80,000 |Charisma.com, Hirokatsu Kihara, Azumi Inoue, Yuyu, BANG, Yucha from Less Than Love |- |{{Sort|11|HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market 2016}} <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/11/13/hyper-japan-christmas-market-2016-heres-what-you-can-expect-6060083/|title=Hyper Japan Christmas Market 2016 Heres What You Can Expect|work=metro.co.uk|date=13 November 2016 |accessdate=26 November 2016}}</ref> |25–27 November 2016 |Tobacco Dock |50,000 |The Hoopers, HIZAKI, Fuki |- |HYPER JAPAN Festival 2017 |14–16 July 2017 |Tobacco Dock |80,000 |REOL, The Sixth Lie, Moso Calibration, Toriena, Fuka Mariwo, Broken Doll, Tokyo Rickshaw, KAIEN, SHINOBI-TRY, SHIN |- |{{Sort|13|HYPER JAPAN Christmas Market 2017}} |24–26 November 2017 |Tobacco Dock |50,000 |FEMM, MUTANT MONSTER, LOVEBITES, xiè, Kanon Suzuhara, Aimi Ikenaga, Mokapi, Shinjo-kun, Taro Fukushika, MIOU, BOO |- |HYPER JAPAN Festival 2018 |13–15 July 2018 |Olympia | |Taketeru Sunamori<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mangaplanet.jp/hyper-anison-party-ft-taketeru-sunamori/|title=Manga Planet Presents HYPER Anison Party ft. Taketeru Sunamori - Manga Planet|date=2018-07-10|work=Manga Planet|access-date=2018-07-10|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |HYPER JAPAN Winter 2018 |16–18 November |Olympia | |Banzai Japan, Xmas Eileen, MUTANT MONSTER, Utaniwa Collabo, Sankei Amo, Nao Masaoka, Hibiki Ichikawa, DJ TAKAKI, Maika Kobayashi, Akari Mochizuki |- |HYPER JAPAN Festival 2019 |12–14 July 2019 |Olympia | |NECRONOMIDOL, Miura Ayme, KUNI-KEN, choco, Mitsuhiro Arita, Harumi Shuhama, Naomi Suzuki, IJEN KAI |- |Hyper Japan Festival 2022 |22–24 July 2022 |Battersea Park | |Double And (2&), Mikuromika, FEMM, Blank Paper, Mika Kobayashi, Nhot Bot, Miura Ayme, NECRONOMIDOL, Garuda, Katsura Sunshine, Kenichi Yamasaki, Nina Saotome, Nozomi Itagaki, Sare, L. J. English, Alfhilde, Nyaru, Japone Artists, Hibiki Ichikawa & Akari Mochizuki, Kani Kanizawa, YOSAKOI LONDON – TEMUZU, Merryweather, MION, Tokyo Soundscape, RoBKTA, Nyokeë, NILFRUITS, SAMURAI ARTIST KAMUI, Sif Avellana, Phoebe, BANG, Seirenkan Sōsuishi-ryū |- |Hyper Japan Festival 2023 |21–23 July 2023 |Olympia | |FEMM, Miura Ayme, Isiliel, Kobayashi Mika, Japan Fudemoji Association, Densha, RIN-PA, Maids of England, Naomi Suzuki, LJ English, VOCAFEST UK & Ireland, YOSAKOI LONDON - TEMUZU, Samurai Artist KAMUI, R I N C H, Akari Mochizuki, DENSHONEN, Dariasirene, Ready Singer One, MION, Colorpointe |- |Hyper Japan Festival 2024 |19–21 July 2024 |Olympia |80,000 |Romi Park; RAM RIDER; Who‑ya Extended; Akase Akari; SARE; Nyokee; Kaiju Project; Alessandra + DENSHONEN; Naho; Tsugaru Shamisen Players (traditional); KOTOMEN (koto); NIJISANJI EN (Vox Akuma, Elira Pendora, Kotoka Torahime) <ref name="hjsite-2024">{{cite web |title=Performers - HYPER JAPAN Festival 2024 |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/festival-2024/performers/ |website=Hyper Japan |access-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> |- |Hyper Japan Festival 2025 |18–20 July 2025 |Olympia |85,000 |Demian Bloom; Isiliel; London Okinawa Sanshinkai (sanshin); Ai Higuchi; marasy; Haruka Nakashima; KOTOMEN (koto); Einojo Senju; Dariasirene; TC.KYLIE × The Hourglass; Temuzu (Yosakoi); Ready Singer One; Two Gun Mathilda; SHAMISEN LONDON feat. Akari Mochizuki (shamisen); Hibiki Ichikawa & DJ TAKAKI (shamisen + DJ); Wa‑chord (taiko); Jewelia; Yuka Iguchi <ref name="hjsite2025">{{cite web |title=Performers - HYPER JAPAN Festival 2025 |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/festival-2025/performers/ |website=Hyper Japan |access-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> |- |Hyper Japan Manchester 2025 |14–16 November 2025 |Manchester Central Convention Complex |30,000<ref>{{cite web |title=Over 30,000 visitors at HYPER JAPAN |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DMhtGULyW0q/ |website=Instagram |access-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> |Marina Yozora; Yo‑Kai‑Wai ensemble; Yoh Kamiyama; Kaiju Project; DJ Mika; Tengu Taiko (taiko drums); Sumie (koto); Laonikos (shakuhachi); Akiharu Kitagawa (koto); Shoko Yoshida; L. J. English; Aya Hirano; #STDRUMS YUJI; Aziz Ibrahim & Sumie (guitar + koto); MIYUNA; Yukka; GB Kendo; Yusuke Yamasaki; PlayMud String Quartet <ref name="hj2025-lineup">{{cite web |title=Performers - HYPER JAPAN Manchester 2025 |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/manchester/performers/ |website=Hyper Japan |access-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name="mworld">{{cite web |title=Timetable - HYPER JAPAN Manchester 2025 |url=https://hyperjapan.co.uk/manchester/timetable/ |website=Hyper Japan |access-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref>

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== External links ==

* {{Official website|http://hyperjapan.co.uk/|Hyper Japan official website}} {{Anime conventions in Europe}}

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

== External links == * {{Official website|http://hyperjapan.co.uk/|Hyper Japan official website}}

{{Anime conventions in Europe}}

Category:Culture of Japan Category:2010 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Japan–United Kingdom relations Category:Annual events in the United Kingdom