2019/10/11
ASACON 2019
October 11-12, 2019 in Asahikawa, JAPAN
Until remaining
Greetings & About HIHA of organizer
“Let’s make Hemp be the staple crop of Hokkaido!
The goal is 20,000ha in the whole of Hokkaido”
Hokkaido Industrial Hemp Association (HIHA) has carried out various activities such as public awareness and enlightenment, request to the country and Hokkaido, assisting with obtaining a cultivation license and with introducing overseas varieties and so on in order to make Hokkaido be a stronghold of Hemp (Marijuana and Hemp) industry in Japan. At the same time, as the only associate member of EIHA (European Industrial Hemp Association) in Japan, HIHA also has worked on international exchange with the advanced nations in Hemp like Western countries and China.
This time, we will hold the international business conference on industrial Hemp on a full scale in Asahikawa, Hokkaido that is the food base of Japan by getting cooperation from people from inside and outside Japan who we have exchanged until now. Now that the Hemp industry is developing rapidly in the world, we hope that ASACON 2019 will be an opportunity of the development of Hemp industry in our country and that many of you will be able to join us.
The Hemp History of Japan and Hokkaido
Hemp in Japan has been cultivated throughout the country from more than 10,000 years ago as a crop that helps people’s lives. In Hokkaido, the government encouraged hemp and flax cultivation during the Meiji period, and there were more than 80 hemp-spinning factories all over the country. However, in 1948 after the World War II, the Cannabis Control Act was enacted, and hemp cultivation was restricted. Moreover, because of the spread of chemical fibers, the demand for hemp decreased sharply, and now the cultivation area is only 10-odd hectares for a Shinto ritual or traditional hemp fabric. We are aiming at the revival of Hemp that used to be cultivated on a large scale in Hokkaido and the material of the modern hemp spinning industry.
ASACON 2019 is the First International Business Conference aiming at
“The Campaign to Re-Open Japan for Hemp”
Last year, Canada legalized recreational marijuana, and it gave a big impact to the world. Like this, since the deregulation for hemp has been moved forward overseas, the number of countries and regions that legalize medical or recreational use have been increasing, and the hemp industry has also been developing rapidly. On the other hand, Japan has left behind by the world-wide trend due to the Cannabis Control Act that substantially prohibits cultivation for medical use and even safe harmless industrial use. Like the Edo period when international exchanges except with the Netherland and China were strictly prohibited, Japan is even now sealed off to the outside world on hemp.
We have decided to begin “The Campaign to Re-Open Japan for Hemp” in order to overthrow the present situation of closed Japan. Japan where the population is aging is the promising market for hemp products that is necessary for health and comfortable life. Telling the good points of hemp products to Japanese people, we need the strong campaign to increase the domestic distribution of hemp products by importing them.
ASACON 2019 is the first step of this campaign and the Japan’s first international conference on hemp business on a full scale. With inviting the worldwide hemp companies and prominent hemp researchers and having them introduce hemp products to Japan, it is one of the main purposes of this conference to have overseas understand the fascination of Japanese market.
We endorse “The Campaign to Re-Open Japan for Hemp” and welcome Japanese companies that hope to cooperate with foreign companies expanding the hemp industry/business globally. Please join ASACON 2019, and let’s aim at expanding the Japanese hemp market together!
ASACON2019 The International Conference on Industrial Hemp -Friendly to Environment and Health-Program & Agenda
World-class speakers in Hemp Business & Research will come to Japan!!
1st DAY Public Lecture Friday, 11th October Venue; Asahikawa Taisetsu Crystal Hall, International Conference Hall
12:00pm Opening and Reception
1:00pm Welcome greetings from the host: Dr. Harumi Kikuchi, Hokkaido Industrial Hemp Association, Japan
Welcome greetings from the host city: Mr. Masato Nishikawa, Asahikawa-City Mayor
Mr.Sumio Fujisawa Chairman, Industrial Hemp Promotion Study Group, Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly
Greetings from foreign guests: Dr. Zhao Litao, Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, China
Part 1 Keynote Speech “World Wisdom that Hokkaido and Japan Need Now”
Chairman: Dr. Hirokazu Matsui, Professor Emeritus of Hokkaido University
1:20-1:50pm
Heilongjiang Province’s Hemp Promotion Ordinance; Dr. Zhao Litao, Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, China
1:50-2:20pm
Establishment and development of HempFlax; Mr. Ben Dronkers, the Founder of HempFlax, Netherlands
2:20-2:50pm
Safe and secure French hemp varieties; Mr. Christophe Fevrier, Hemp breeding, FNPC, CEO, France
Break (Visit to Hemp product exhibition and sales section, Tiny Hemp House, and Asahikawa City Museum)
Part 2 Keynote Speech “Latest Situation of Hemp industry in Various Countries”
Chairman: Dr. Patrick Collins, Professor Emeritus of Azabu University, Japan/England
3:30-3:50pm
Japanese hemp culture; Dr. Patrick Collins, Professor Emeritus of Azabu University, Japan/England
3:50-4:10pm
Hemp industry in India; Mr. Rohit Sharma, President of the Indian Industrial Hemp Association, India
4:10-4:30pm
Hemp industry in Australia; Mr. Hisashi Isogai, CANNABIRD Pty Ltd, CEO, Australia
4:30-4:50pm
Hemp industry in New Zealand; Mr.Tony Robinson, Hikurangi Cannabis Company, New Zealand
4:50-5:10pm General Discussion
Chairamn: Dr. Hirokazu Matsui, Professor Emeritus of Hokkaido University
Dr. Patrick Collins, Professor Emeritus of Azabu University
Questions and Answers
Introduction of foreign guests
5:30-7:30
Welcome Reception （Venue; Asahikawa Taisetsu Crystal Hall, 2F Reception Room）
2nd DAY Expert Committee Saturday, 12th October
Venue; Asahikawa Taisetsu Crystal Hall, 2F Reception Room
General chairman; Dr. Patrick Collins, Professor Emeritus of Azabu University
Part 3 Regional Revitalization and Disaster Recovery by Using Industrial Hemp
9:00-9:30am
Spread and Problems of Hemp in Hokkaido: Dr. Harumi Kikuchi, Hokkaido Industrial Hemp Association, Japan
9:30-10:00am
Recovery by Hemp in Haiti: Ms. Alicia Fall, Humanitarian activists and artists, USA
Part4 Eco-Friendly Industrial Hemp: Forefront of Research in Various Countries
10:00-10:20am
Hemp study in Heilongjiang Province; Mr. Sun Yufeng, Daqing Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, China
10:20-10:40am
Hemp Study in Australia; Mr. Hisashi Isogai, CANNABIRD Pty Ltd, CEO, Australia
10:40-11:00am
Hemp-breeding Study in France; Mr. Sun Yufeng, Daqing Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, China
Part5 Health-Friendly Industrial Hemp: Foods and Medicine
11:20-11:40am
Hemp Foods and Hemp Supplement: Mr. Makoto Matsumaru, Hemp Foods Japan, Elixinol Japan, Japan
11:40am-12:00am
Endocannabinoids and Health: Dr. Philip Blair, Medical Health Advisor, USA
12:00-12:20pm
Medical Use of Hemp in Japan and Its Challenges; Dr. Minoru Aragaki(Japanese Clinical Association of Cannabinoids, Japan)
Lunch (Visit to Hemp product exhibition and sales section, Tiny Hemp House, and Asahikawa City Museum)
Part 6 Forefront of CBD Business
2:00-2:20pm
CBD business in the Netherlands: Mr. Ben Dronkers(Founder of the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum, Netherlands)
2:20-2:40pm
CBD business in Canada: Mr. Preet Marwaha, Blue Sky Biologicals, Canada
2:40-3:00pm
CBD business in New Zealand: Mr.Tony Robinson, Hikurangi Cannabis Company, New Zealand
Part 7 Hemp Business Latest Situation
3:00-4:00pm
Short presentations by participating companies (Six companies planned)
4:00-5:00pm
(Visit to Hemp product exhibition and sales section, Business meeting, Tiny Hemp House, and Asahikawa City Museum)
5:00pm Closing Declaration
3rd DAY Excursion
Sunday,
13th October Research in laboratories, farms and tourist facilities around Asahikawa City
＊ These speakers may be subject to change.
＊ “Day 1 and Day 2 speakers/programs will be announced after the decision is made.
Entry fee
| Early Bird | After Early Bird | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General participants | Finish | ＄300 |
|
Entry fee General participants<Non-speaker> $300
Reservations are required for the third day excursion.Please contact ASACON secretariat.
Admission to all plenary lectures, Admission to the Welcome Reception (11st Oct. 2019),
lunches and afternoon teas for each day of the Conference.
Entry fee does not include accommodation,
breakfast expenses and 3rd-Day Excursion.
Please make your own arrangements for hotel accommodations.
The round-trip transportation fee from the Asahikawa airport to International Conference Hall(Taisetsu Crystal Hall) is not included.
For details, you can apply from the Kokucheese (Japanese) site.
https://www.kokuchpro.com/event/a78886eadaa0b88b676c0f22967e0c2b/804601/
Looking for sponsors
Premium sponsor $25,000 / Number to be accepted： 1
Gold sponsor $10,000 / Number to be accepted： 2
Silver sponsor $3000 / Number to be accepted： 3
Sponsor $1000 / Number to be accepted：10
You are only permitted to exhibit Hemp products that can be imported to Japan.
Hemp Products Exhibition and Sale & Business matching
We are planning to exhibit and sell hemp products of the companies giving a lecture at the special venue of Taisetsu Crystal Hall during 2-day conference.
If you would like to display your products at exhibition and sale, please contact ASACON secretariat.
Access to the Venue
Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan
From Haneda Airport (HND):
- Haneda Airport（HND） → Asahikawa Airport（AKJ） (about 1 hour 35 minutes ※ Flight time by plane)
- Asahikawa Airport（AKJ） → JR Asahikawa Station (about 35 minutes ※ Travel time by airport bus)
- JR Asahikawa Station → Venue (about 2-3 minutes ※ Travel time by taxi)
From Narita Airport (NRT):
- Narita Airport(NRT) → Haneda Airport(HND) (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes ※ Travel time by train)
- Haneda Airport(HND) → Asahikawa Airport(AKJ) (about 1 hour 35 minutes ※ Flight transfer)
- Asahikawa Airport（AKJ） → JR Asahikawa Station (about 35 minutes ※ Travel time by airport bus)
- JR Asahikawa Station → Venue (about 2-3 minutes ※ Travel time by taxi)
Asahikawa Taisetsu Crystal Hall, International Conference Hall
Asahikawa City
Taisetsu Crystal Hall
Excursion
Asahikawa City Museum
It is attached to the international conference hall, so you can see it right away.
Asahiyama zoological park and wildlife conservation center
It is one of Japan’s leading zoos that has become famous for its “action exhibit” that shows the natural ecology of animals.
Hot spring
The Asahikawa and Sounkyo area is Hokkaido’s leading hot spring resort.
Attention!!
In Japan, brining in cannabis and possession is prohibited by law.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Registration
You can apply to participate from the ASACON official website.
Please contact ASACON secretariat. (info@hiha.jp)
for recruitment of sponsors and participation in exhibitions and sales.