Osaka Tech Expo Showcases AI Cameras and Flameless Lanterns

May 14, 2026 | News On Japan

OSAKA - A technology exhibition featuring the latest tools for attracting customers opened at Osaka’s ATC complex in Nanko on May 13th, bringing together around 90 companies showcasing innovations aimed at the tourism, retail and events industries.

The exhibition, titled "Event Tool West Japan," highlighted a range of technologies designed to improve advertising effectiveness and enhance visitor experiences.

Among the most talked-about displays was a flameless lantern developed by an event company based in Kobe. The lantern contains LED lights and balloons instead of fire, creating a soft glowing effect that resembles traditional festival lanterns.

Visitors described the display as creating a “fantastical atmosphere,” and the company said the lanterns have become especially popular with foreign tourists seeking a traditional Japanese aesthetic. More than 100,000 units are reportedly produced each year for use at festivals and events across Japan.

Another major attraction was an AI-powered camera system capable of analyzing visitors in real time. The system can estimate a person’s age and gender, measure how long they stay in an area, and even determine what products or displays they are looking at.

The technology can also automatically switch advertisements depending on the viewer standing in front of the display.

“If a man approaches, the advertisement changes for male customers, and if a woman approaches, it switches accordingly,” a representative explained, describing it as a groundbreaking advertising delivery system.

The AI system is also being promoted as a solution to labor shortages in retail. By analyzing customer behavior and identifying where products should be placed within stores, the technology has reportedly attracted interest from supermarkets struggling with staffing shortages.

The exhibition continues through May 14th.

Source: Television OSAKA NEWS

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