The Japan Food Machinery Manufacturers' Association takes pride in convening FOOMA JAPAN 2009 from June 9 to 12 at Tokyo Big Sight. We have secured all of the exhibition space in both the East and West wings at Tokyo Big Sight to ensure ample capacity for this important event.

Our theme for FOOMA JAPAN 2009 is Delicious Technology, and we have augmented the exhibition themes with broadened coverage of information technology. That reinforces our confidence of fulfilling visitors' and exhibitors' highest expectations of FOOMA as a leading show of its kind in Asia.

FOOMA JAPAN 2009 opens amid economic concerns caused by the recent crisis on Wall Street and the continuing rise in prices for crude oil and for raw materials. Also souring the atmosphere have been the repeated revelations in Japan of falsifications of “good until" indications, of illicit substitutions of ingredients, and of instances of contamination. Those revelations have undermined consumer confidence, and they redouble the importance of working through FOOMA JAPAN 2009 to reaffirm the message of food integrity in a convincing manner. This is a time for the members of our industry to present new technologies, products, and services for addressing the issues before our industry.

The 2009 edition of FOOMA JAPAN will be a vibrant setting for sharing information, for exchanging technological insights, for fostering new business possibilities, and for witnessing the latest developments in this crucial industrial sector. I therefore extend a hearty invitation to everyone in food-related industries and also to our colleagues in other industries and to our friends in the general public.