Jetro Singapore held a food packaging seminar this week.

Certainly Japanese consumer products packaging remains amongst the best in the world in my opinion in terms of innovation and other attributes like easy to open.

The seminar showcased a variety of different packaging formats from paper packs, paper cans, PET, standing pouch, universal design, cartons and much more.

There was also a presentation by a machine manufacturer, Omori from Saitama who had some interesting video of their machines in action...

What I was less clear about from the seminar was how the Japanese packaging industry is adjusting or adapting their products and machines to meet market demands overseas.

All the examples presented were from the domestic market - where higher prices for similar products sold in other parts of Asia can still be seen - though this situation is rapidly changing...

There was also little demonstration of consumer insight into why certain packaging formats have been developed or been successful.

There is for sure a fantastic market for Japanese packaging machinery makers internationally but I couldn’t help wondering if they are doing enough homework on how best to take advantage.