A happy new year 2011!!
　Still Japanese flower industry is in hard condition. Flower bulbs that we JFTA : Japan Flower Bulb Traders’ Assn. handle, are not exception. Japan might import lily bulbs less than 140 million last year, it is about 70% of the peak, also, tulip bulbs for forcing might decrease to about half of the peak.

　We JFTA were faced with a difficulty, tried to enlarge the consumption of bulb flowers as much as possible, even if we could not do it enough.

　From 2009, we and IBC; International Flower Bulb Center Holland changed Ms. Lily’s reward ceremony to do it in Flower Dream in Tokyo Big Site of JFTD, the biggest Japanese florists’ group, in front of many audiences. Ms. Lily 2010 was Miss. Maki Horikita, she is a very popular young actress.

　Now, JFTD is doing “ Happy Mother To Be “ campaign, that is the promotion which “ Shall we present lily to women with thanks” They are doing it throughout year,at any flower-shops of JFTD for a long time. The campaign is going well steadily.

　Also, we JFTA, JFGA; Japan Flower Growers’ Assn. and IBC cooperated together to have a JBF; Japan Bulb Flower booth in IFEX; International Flower Expo in Tokyo from Oct.28 to 30 in 2010.

　In the booth, we showed many newer and good quality lily flowers that was so impressive, various bulbs and tubers to suggest how to enjoy and how to sell them. Indeed we could succeed in the event itself, but it includes more important meaning. Because it was the first time when bulb importers, flower growers and promotion organization could combine to do the same promotion activity.

　Last year in Japan, weather was most unusual in the history, then it was so difficult for flower growers to grow flowers well. But on the other hand, auctions put the acceptable prices on good quality flowers, it looks some promising sign for future.

　We will start some tax system, so-called Scandinavian method, from 2011 in order to make a special budget for the promotion for more consumption of lily flowers.

　Anyhow, we should cooperate with people who grow and sell the flowers to solve the problems and to survive in this hard period. We’d appreciate if anybody understood and supported us. Thank you !!