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EPTE Newsletter from Japan: Trends from JPCA Show 2013

The world’s largest electronics show for electronics packaging, circuits, and assembly, the 43rd JPCA Show, was held at Tokyo Big Sight June 5-7, 2013. The Large Electronics Show 2013, JIEP 2013 (Microelectronics Show), JISSO PROTECH 2013, and Monotsukuri Fiesta 2013 were held concurrently at the convention center. The electronics industry in Japan is currently suffering its worst slump in history. I was hoping to see new and innovative products at the show to snap us out of this funk.

Attendance was low on the first day; however, things picked up on the second day. The official number of guests for the three-day show was over 120,000--slightly larger than last year. Visitors seemed to have on their "game faces." Many traveled from North America, Europe, Taiwan, and Korea.

The floor size of the exhibition was almost the same as last year, but the exhibitors were very different. Circuit board manufacturers that reserved space last year did not show up. There were many new companies from Taiwan, China, and Korea. Many material suppliers from Korea were scattered throughout the show. The Academic plaza consisted of more than 60 small booths from universities and local institutes. Exhibitors, mostly young researchers and students, showcased their products. A tear-down analysis was the most popular display.

More than 20 seminars were featured this year. Since most were free, the prepared seating was not enough to hold the crowds in attendance. The seminar held at center stage featured New Product Introduction (NPI) and the technical seminar and was sold out.

So...who was the belle of the ball? Embedded components were the most significant topic of discussion for circuit board manufacturers. Many material suppliers were talking about low-loss dielectric assuming large applications with high-speed devices, and equipment suppliers and circuit board manufacturers featured their direct imaging machines. The printable electronics seminars and booths were very popular.

The convention was also a great place to network and share market information. Most in attendance agreed that the circuit board industry in Japan is continuing its decline and has not yet reached the bottom. Since the electronics industry remains stagnant, the traditional circuit board business in Japan cannot grow. The main purpose in attending this show for many was to find new avenues for business. I believe the JPCA Show 2013 could become a lighting rod for some companies. I am extremely optimistic about the future; it only takes a single spark to create a fire.

Dominique K. Numakura, dnumakura@dknresearch.com DKN Research, www.dknresearchllc.com

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Headlines of the Week

(Please contact haverhill@dknreseach.com for further information on the news.)1. DNP (Major printing company in Japan) 5/31The company has developed a next generation thin flexible poster with e-paper technology for public display.  2. Showa Denko (Major chemical company in Japan) 6/3The company has developed a new chlorine-free epoxy compound for conductive adhesives that will significantly reduce migration problems.3. Rohm (Major device manufacturer in Japan) 6/4The manufacturer has unveiled a new fuel cell module, “High Power Aqua,” as an emergency back-up power source.4. RIKEN (R&D organization in Japan) 6/4The organization has developed a new semiconductor polymer coating process that will increase organic photovoltaic cell device efficiency. 5. Showa Denko (Major chemical company in Japan) 6/4The company has developed a new printing process with microwave heating for thick film printed circuits using a silver/carbon hybrid ink.6. Mitsubishi Electric (Major electric & electronics company in Japan) 6/4The company will commercialize a new NC drilling machine, “ML605GTW4-UV," featuring a UV-YAG laser for high-performance flexible circuits.7. AIST (R&D organization in Japan) 6/10The organization has developed a new build-up process with multi-crystal germanium for the 3D construction of CMOS devices.8. NEDO (R&D organization in Japan) 6/10The organization has developed a new logic IC concept with a new transistor. The new device works at 0.37 V; therefore, power consumption will be reduced to one tenth.9. Fuji Film (Major camera and film supplier in Japan) 6/11The supplier has co-developed a new high-performance organic CMOS image sensor with Panasonic introducing an organic thin film technology.10. Zeon (Major supplier of specialty chemicals in Japan) 6/11The supplier has made a capacity expansion plan of di-cyclopentadiene as the monomer of transparent thermoplastic polymers for optical devices.Recent Articles from DKN ResearchFor a full list of articles, click here.