[Exhibition Announcement] 10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake: Okumura Printing Proposes "Next-Generation Preparedness Utilizing Printing Technology" at the Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Fair 2026 Spring
Okumura Printing will participate in the Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Fair 2026 Spring, held at KITTE in Tokyo from April 3, 2026. The company will showcase its origami-inspired paper tableware "beak" and other innovative disaster prevention solutions that integrate printing technology with digital tools. This exhibition marks the 10th anniversary of the Kumamoto Earthquake, emphasizing the importance of incorporating disaster preparedness into daily life.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 17:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 09:04
Okumura Printing Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Okumura Printing"), headquartered in Kita-ku, Tokyo, will participate as a supporting company in the "Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Fair 2026 Spring," which will be held starting Friday, April 3, 2026, at the "Tokyo City i Performance Zone" on the B1 floor of KITTE, directly connected to Tokyo Station.
At this event, we will introduce our latest initiatives that apply the printing and processing technologies we have cultivated since our founding in 1947 to the field of disaster prevention, focusing on our main product, the origami-inspired paper tableware "beak" (hereinafter "beak").
[Event venue scene (photo is from last year)]
Background of the Exhibition: 10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake, the Need for "Everyday Disaster Prevention"
2026 marks a milestone: 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake and 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. As the projected damage from a major earthquake directly hitting the Tokyo metropolitan area becomes more realistic, Okumura Printing proposes "disaster prevention that is not something special, but rather blends into daily life and functions reliably in times of emergency."
Exhibition and Introduction Content
At this fair, in addition to the exhibition and sale of beak, we will propose a new form of disaster prevention that fuses printing technology with digital technology.
1. beak
Thin and compact, beak is a paper tableware product only about 0.4mm thick, "designed to fit into a child's school bag." It can usually be stored in the gaps of bags or evacuation kits, and features functionality that allows it to stand on its own just by folding it in times of emergency. We will also exhibit "beakx," a new product that turns the outer packaging of retort food into tableware.
Check out the wide variety of beak designs at the venue!
See the outer-box type paper tableware "beakx" in person at the venue.
2. Emergency Card with NFC Tag (LinkStage Product)
This is a reference exhibition product that fuses digital and paper, utilizing NFC technology to notify others of the owner's information and emergency contacts when a smartphone is held over it.
3. Stockpile Collection Card Game
This is a reference exhibition product designed to help children experience the concept of disaster prevention through a simple card game.
"Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Fair 2026 Spring" Event Overview
[Name] Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Fair 2026 Spring: "See, Touch, and Prepare"
[Dates] April 3 (Fri) – April 4 (Sat), 2026
[Time] 11:00 – 19:00
[Location] KITTE B1 Floor, Tokyo City i Performance Zone (KITTE B1, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-7090)
[Organizer] JTB Communication Design, Inc. / Tokyo City i
[Co-organizer] Kumamoto Prefecture / Kumamoto City
[Support] Okumura Printing Co., Ltd.
[Admission] Free
Features and Awards of beak
beak is a paper tableware product that applies origami techniques; it is water-resistant, oil-resistant, and heat-resistant. It is characterized not only by its practicality in disasters but also by its environmentally friendly design. Its achievements include the following awards:
- 48th Invention Grand Prize, Contribution Award for Invention
- IPA 2024 Global Sustainability Category, 1st Place
- Asian Packaging Excellence Award (APEA), Sustainable Packaging Category, Gold Award
- Asian Print Awards (APA), New Technology Category, Gold Award
- JAPAN PACK AWARDS 2025, Packaging Materials Category, Grand Prize (beakx)
- Disaster Mitigation Sustainable Technology Association, Disaster Prevention/Mitigation x Sustainable Grand Prize 2026, Encouragement Award
- The Japanese Society of Printing Science and Technology, Technical Encouragement Award
These awards are proof that the balance between practicality and environmental value of beak has been recognized internationally.
For more details, click here: https://www.okum.net/beak/
About Okumura Printing Co., Ltd.
Since its founding in 1947, Okumura Printing Co., Ltd. has aimed to provide customers with high-quality printed materials and services, continuing to operate with deep roots in the local community. In recent years, we have focused on developing environmentally friendly printing technologies, launched the new brand "Link Stage" including the origami tableware "beak," and contributed to the realization of a sustainable society by bringing various eco-friendly products to the world.
At this event, we will introduce our latest initiatives that apply the printing and processing technologies we have cultivated since our founding in 1947 to the field of disaster prevention, focusing on our main product, the origami-inspired paper tableware "beak" (hereinafter "beak").
[Event venue scene (photo is from last year)]
Background of the Exhibition: 10 Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake, the Need for "Everyday Disaster Prevention"
2026 marks a milestone: 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake and 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. As the projected damage from a major earthquake directly hitting the Tokyo metropolitan area becomes more realistic, Okumura Printing proposes "disaster prevention that is not something special, but rather blends into daily life and functions reliably in times of emergency."
Exhibition and Introduction Content
At this fair, in addition to the exhibition and sale of beak, we will propose a new form of disaster prevention that fuses printing technology with digital technology.
1. beak
Thin and compact, beak is a paper tableware product only about 0.4mm thick, "designed to fit into a child's school bag." It can usually be stored in the gaps of bags or evacuation kits, and features functionality that allows it to stand on its own just by folding it in times of emergency. We will also exhibit "beakx," a new product that turns the outer packaging of retort food into tableware.
Check out the wide variety of beak designs at the venue!
See the outer-box type paper tableware "beakx" in person at the venue.
2. Emergency Card with NFC Tag (LinkStage Product)
This is a reference exhibition product that fuses digital and paper, utilizing NFC technology to notify others of the owner's information and emergency contacts when a smartphone is held over it.
3. Stockpile Collection Card Game
This is a reference exhibition product designed to help children experience the concept of disaster prevention through a simple card game.
"Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Fair 2026 Spring" Event Overview
[Name] Metropolitan Disaster Prevention Fair 2026 Spring: "See, Touch, and Prepare"
[Dates] April 3 (Fri) – April 4 (Sat), 2026
[Time] 11:00 – 19:00
[Location] KITTE B1 Floor, Tokyo City i Performance Zone (KITTE B1, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-7090)
[Organizer] JTB Communication Design, Inc. / Tokyo City i
[Co-organizer] Kumamoto Prefecture / Kumamoto City
[Support] Okumura Printing Co., Ltd.
[Admission] Free
Features and Awards of beak
beak is a paper tableware product that applies origami techniques; it is water-resistant, oil-resistant, and heat-resistant. It is characterized not only by its practicality in disasters but also by its environmentally friendly design. Its achievements include the following awards:
- 48th Invention Grand Prize, Contribution Award for Invention
- IPA 2024 Global Sustainability Category, 1st Place
- Asian Packaging Excellence Award (APEA), Sustainable Packaging Category, Gold Award
- Asian Print Awards (APA), New Technology Category, Gold Award
- JAPAN PACK AWARDS 2025, Packaging Materials Category, Grand Prize (beakx)
- Disaster Mitigation Sustainable Technology Association, Disaster Prevention/Mitigation x Sustainable Grand Prize 2026, Encouragement Award
- The Japanese Society of Printing Science and Technology, Technical Encouragement Award
These awards are proof that the balance between practicality and environmental value of beak has been recognized internationally.
For more details, click here: https://www.okum.net/beak/
About Okumura Printing Co., Ltd.
Since its founding in 1947, Okumura Printing Co., Ltd. has aimed to provide customers with high-quality printed materials and services, continuing to operate with deep roots in the local community. In recent years, we have focused on developing environmentally friendly printing technologies, launched the new brand "Link Stage" including the origami tableware "beak," and contributed to the realization of a sustainable society by bringing various eco-friendly products to the world.