Following the disastrous earthquake, tsunami and nuclear radiation emission in Japan, the organizers of the International Jewellery Kobe (IJK) fair have clarified that the fair originally scheduled between May 11-13, 2011, will be held as planned, and reassured the global gem and jewellery industry that the venue of the event, which is Kobe, is ‘Very Safe’.

Explaining this ‘Safety Assurance’, they informed that Kobe is located over 800 km away from the center of the quake, transportation in Kobe was not affected and transportation from Tokyo to Kobe is now normalized. Also, western Japan remains unaffected by radiation. The radiation level measured in Kobe on March 21 6:00-7:00 AM was 0.000043 milli sieverts/hour which is within normal level. (Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology). The event has received a confirmed participation of 460 exhibitors, featuring pearl, diamond, and gemstone companies from 20 countries worldwide, a rich selection of top-grade Japanese pearls, new and specially priced products. The organizers have requested participation and support from the global industry community. and expressed gratitude to ‘all the jewellery industry members around the world who have sent us kind messages and condolences regarding the devastating earthquake that hit Japan on March 11th’ in a letter to the industry.