CEATEC 2026 Makuhari: Japan Digital Innovation Show Guide
By Ilyas Kerbal,
CEATEC started life as a consumer electronics show and has grown into Japan’s main exhibition for digital transformation and “Society 5.0”. It’s organised by JEITA, the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, and features exhibitors from Sony, Panasonic, Murata, TDK, Kyocera and NTT to startups and universities. CEATEC 2026 runs from 13 to 16 October at Makuhari Messe, under the theme “Transformation: Businesses, Industries, and Society Are Changing”. The CEATEC attendee list is a good way into Japan’s electronics and DX buyers.
CEATEC at a glance
| Industry | Electronics / digital |
| City | Chiba (Makuhari), Japan |
| Venue | Makuhari Messe, Chiba |
| Dates | October, 2026: 13–16 Oct |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Moves between cities? | No, always Makuhari Messe |
| Typical scale | ~110,000 attendees · ~800 exhibitors |
| Visitor ticket | Free (pre-registration) |
| App / platform | Online sessions + “ceatec experience” web platform |
| Official website | ceatec.com |
Details checked in October 2026. Dates, prices and venues can change between editions, so confirm on the official CEATEC website before you book travel.
What is CEATEC?
The exhibition is organised into areas:
- General Exhibits
- X (Transformation) Park
- Next Generation Park for startups
- Global Park for international exhibitors
- CEATEC for Students
Topics include electronic components and devices, AI, IoT and DX, mobility and smart cities, telecom and 5G/6G, startups and university R&D, and energy, sustainability and healthcare tech. Conferences cover social issues, future tech and global trends.
Japanese component makers such as Murata are mainstays of CEATEC. Photo: na0905, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Venue and dates
CEATEC is held every October at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. Kaihin-Makuhari Station is about 24 to 30 minutes from Tokyo Station. The 2026 show runs 13–16 October.
Who attends CEATEC
| Attendee | Interest | Who should target them |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers and R&D managers | Components and technology | Component makers, tool vendors |
| Corporate DX and innovation leaders | Solutions and partners | IT, AI and IoT vendors |
| Component buyers and OEMs | Suppliers | Japanese and Asian component makers |
| Startups and investors | Deals and partnerships | VCs, corporates |
| Government officials | Policy and programmes | Industry bodies |
| Students | Careers | Employers, recruiters |
Your competitors are already on the CEATEC floor plan. I map the exhibitors and visitor profiles for CEATEC into one clean spreadsheet, so you can see who matters before the doors open. Contact me about CEATEC
Registration
Admission is free. All visitors pre-register individually with a unique email (no group registration in 2026), and on-site registration is possible. The 2026 badge also covers Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2026.
Online sessions and the experience platform
Registered visitors can watch online conference sessions, some in English, until the end of October, and use the ceatec experience web platform. These are great for content. For sales, you need the companies and people behind the booths and in the audience, with roles and contact routes, ideally before the show opens.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free entry | Mostly Japanese-language |
| Strong Japanese component makers | More showcase than transactional |
| Startup and international zones | Makuhari is outside Tokyo |
| Shared badge with Japan Mobility Show Bizweek | Smaller than CES or GITEX |
| Online sessions extend reach | Student crowds on some days |
The weeks before CEATEC are when meetings get booked. With the enriched attendee list in hand early, your team can start outreach while others are still printing brochures. Request your CEATEC list
Making CEATEC work
- Register now; the show is days away.
- Combine with Japan Mobility Show Bizweek using the same badge.
- Focus on X Park and Next Generation Park if you’re looking for DX buyers or startups.
- Prepare Japanese materials and plan for longer sales cycles.
- Use the online sessions to identify speakers worth contacting.
- Follow up in November with a clear next step.
FAQ
When is CEATEC 2026?
From 13 to 16 October 2026 at Makuhari Messe, Chiba.
Is CEATEC free?
Yes. All visitors pre-register individually; on-site registration is also possible.
Does the CEATEC badge cover other events?
In 2026 it also covers Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2026.
Can I get the CEATEC attendee list?
There’s no exportable list. I can build an enriched list of CEATEC exhibitors and attendee profiles.
Need CEATEC leads ready for your CRM?
Past clients have used my lists to fill their meeting calendars before a show and to stop leads going cold afterwards. If you want the same for CEATEC, tell me what you sell and who you need to reach, and I’ll come back with what I can deliver and when.
Request your CEATEC list on the home page
Related event guides
- Korea Electronics Show 2026: KES Seoul Guide and Leads
- electronica and productronica China: Shanghai Show Guide
- Global Sources Consumer Electronics Hong Kong: October Guide
Sources
Photo credits
- Cover image: CEATEC JAPAN 2010, Makuhari Messe - Oct 5, 2010 (1) by [email protected], CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- In-article image: Murata Manufacturing at CEATEC JAPAN 20091007 by na0905, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
