Japan Expo USA

Japan Expo USA was a three-day anime convention held in August at the San Mateo Event Center in San Mateo, California, United States. The convention is organized by SEFA Entertainment, based in San Francisco, California. It is the American subsidiary of the JTS Group, the organizing group of Japan Expo in Paris, France,[3] and It is the first and only convention outside Europe.

For the parent convention in Paris, see Japan Expo.
Japan Expo USA
StatusInactive
GenreAnime, manga, Japanese popular culture[1]
VenueSan Mateo Event Center
Location(s)San Mateo, California
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2013
Most recent2014
Attendance6,456 in 2014[2]
Organized bySEFA Entertainment, subsidiary of JTS Group[3]
Websitehttps://www.japan-expo.org/en/

Programming

The convention typically offers an artists' alley, autograph sessions, art show, concerts, dealers' room, Japanese cultural demonstrations, masquerades, vendors, video games, and video screenings.[3][4][5][6]

History

Japan Expo has previously expanded to other cities in France as Japan Expo Centre and Japan Expo Sud, and in Belgium as Japan Expo Belgium.[7] The convention prior to the 2013 event had to change its re-entry policy due to fan feedback.[8][9] Japan Expo USA expected 12,000 to 15,000 people to attend their first event, but these numbers were not reached, [1][4][10][11] as Friday and Sunday attendance were hurt due to the start of the school season.[9] Several dealers left early due to the lack of attendance, and some who remained believed they would not make money. Food options outside of the convention center or hotel were limited.[9] Japan Expo used barcode scanning when entering and exiting the convention to prevent badge piracy. The convention used Japan Expo France's setup with most events based around the dealers room, autograph ticketing system, and emphasis on cultural programming.[4][9][11] The convention also set-up cosplay changing rooms.[4]

The convention for 2014 moved to the San Mateo Event Center in San Mateo, California, with its format similar to a Japanese festival, or Matsuri, with events occurring both inside and outside convention center buildings.[1][12] Many staff changes occurred before the 2014 event, and the convention used badges with lanyards due to fan feedback.[1] The 2014 South Napa earthquake occurred on Sunday of the convention, but did not affect the event.[6] Attendance was again hurt due to the start of the school season and other anime conventions. Japan Expo USA went on hiatus in May 2015 as the organizers announced they were unable to meet its goals for the event.[2]

Event history
DatesLocationAttendanceGuests
Japan Expo 1st Impact[8]
August 23–25, 2013		 Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, California		5,534[13]You Kikkawa, Yusuke Kozaki, Masahiko Minami, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Ian Sinclair, Mike Sinterniklaas, Felipe Smith,[13] Noriyuki Iwadare,[3] 1000say, Dempagumi Inc., JDee’Z, and Tatsuro Iwamoto.[5]
Japan Expo 2nd Impact[1]
August 22–24, 2014		 San Mateo Event Center
San Mateo, California		6,456[2]A for-Real, Akai SKY, Shinji Aramaki, Hero Hiroka, Daigo Ikeno, Ilu Grace, DJ Kage, Akihiro Kanayama, Living Ichigo, Izumi Matsumoto, Mayuko, Sho Murase, Felipe Smith, Team Hideo, Gen Urobuchi, and Akira Yamaoka.[14]

See also

References
  1. "Interview: Thomas Sirdey, Co-Founder, Japan Expo". Anime News Network. 2014-07-24. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
  2. "Japan Expo USA Convention Goes on Hiatus". Anime News Network. May 5, 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  3. "U.S. Debut of the Japan Expo". Anime News Network. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  4. "AnimeCons TV: Japan Expo USA 2013 Report". AnimeCons TV. 2013-09-16. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  5. Haugh, Robert. "A Bridge to Japan". The Santa Clara Weekly. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  6. Kemps, Heidi. "Japan Expo 2nd Impact". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
  7. "France's Japan Expo to Start Con in California Late Next Summer". Anime News Network. 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  8. "Japan Expo USA Revises Ticket Policy After Fan Response". Anime News Network. 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  9. Lamb, Lynzee. "Interview: Japan Expo USA First Impact CEO Sean Chiochankitmun". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  10. "Anime interests expand beyond teen set". Anime News Network. 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
  11. Totman, Josh (August 24, 2013). "JX: Day one impressions". Japanator. Archived from the original on 20 November 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  12. "California's Japan Expo USA Moves to San Mateo". Anime News Network. 2014-03-08. Retrieved 2014-03-09.
  13. "Japan Expo USA 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  14. "Japan Expo USA 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2018-10-03.

37°32′46″N 122°18′5″W


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