The 23rd edition of Interior Lifestyle Tokyo, an annual interior design show in June organied by Messe Frankfurt, introduced many creative new features and saw a dramatic increase in the number of overseas exhibitors and visitors.

Among the various highlights, ‘JAPAN STYLE’ in the Atrium drew the most attention. Originally organized for Ambiente, it has recently been developed for this show and the sister fair “IFFT/Interior Lifestyle Living,” held every autumn at the Tokyo Big Sight fairgrounds.

Interior Lifestyle Tokyo also successively welcomed “Creative Direction,” a group of four leading figures in the interior design industry. The clear-cut zoning and the various special highlighted events were highly praised internationally owing to their contribution. The ‘NEXT’ and ‘TALENTS’ zones that support young designers and organizations to find business opportunities through encounters with quality visitors at the fair, were busy throughout the three days.

Exhibitors at ‘TALENTS’ had a chance to be chosen for the ‘Young Designer’ award, which will enable the honoree to exhibit at the coming edition of Ambiente. This year there were two award recipients: Studio Surume and Kobe Ishou Sourenjo.

Studio Surume was chosen for the quality of products that expressed the beauty of Japanese design. “It is our first time to receive an award and we are extremely happy,” said director Mitsuyoshi Kikuchi. “We are determined to enhance the quality of our prototype products and come up with new items so that we can bring them to Ambiente.”

A total of five awards were given out at the fair including the ‘Design Business’ Award received by Jun Nakagawa, 13th president of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Co., Ltd. who said, “By receiving this award, we believe that our efforts to create and establish the ‘Dainihonichi’ community for the past four years has now been recognized. We are a group of small companies that exhibit under the umbrella of ‘Dainihonichi’ and we have a strong bond, almost like a big family—we are more than just business partners.”

The next Interior Lifestyle Tokyo will be held from June 4 – 6, 2014 at Tokyo Big Sight, West Hall.