Journalists from the U.S. will select and award outstanding technologies and products.

Reference: CEATEC INNOVATION AWARDS “as selected by US Journalists”

The CEATEC Innovation Awards, known as U.S. Tech-pert Panel Award last year that comprised an independent advisory panel of seven U.S. journalists, will again review and recognize significant technologies, products and services based on innovation and potential influence in the U.S. market at CEATEC JAPAN 2009. Of the items evaluated, the most influential and innovative product, technology and service will receive the US Technology Innovation Grand Prix Award while the US Technology Innovation Special Award will be presented to a product related to Green IT.
The evaluation and inspection of items will be conducted on October 5th, the day before the start of the show and on October 6th, the first day of the show. The announcement of winners and the award ceremony will be held at the commencement of CEATEC JAPAN 2009. The winners will be recognized at the award ceremony by the panel of judges and footage of the ceremony will be broadcast widely around the world.

《Media Coverage Scheduled》
Publication of award results and award ceremony scenes will be made available to the world in the form of news releases via Business Wire (in English, Chinese and Japanese). Further details of the awards will also be available in company publications of each judge and we will be requesting prominent media concerns to write articles about the awarded products.

CEATEC INNOVATION AWARDS categories for CEATEC JAPAN 2009 (tentative)

• Home entertainment
• Biometrics
• Technology components
• Computing and networking
• Transportation technology
• Cellular and mobile technology
• Digital imaging
• Digital content
• software
• Other

Selection Criteria

• Influential products that have potential impact or are relevant to the US market.
• Unique and innovative products that answer growing needs.
• Products offering user-friendly, simplified operation.
• Uniquely designed or aesthetically appealing products
• Products with technologies that improve energy efficiency or use alternative energy sources.

The List of Judges Comprising the CEATEC INNOVATION AWARDS 2009

• Michael Kanellos, Greentech Media
• Scott Ard, CNET
• Tom SamiJian, AOL Switchid.com
• Kevin Sintumuang, GQ
• Mark Seavy, Consumer Electronics Daily News
• Josh Fruhlinger, Engadget.com
• Mark S. Fishkin, The Wall Street Journal Digital Network

U.S. Tech-pert Panel Award Recipients of CEATEC JAPAN 2008

• Imaging: JVC Everio
• Software: KDDI Real Space X-ray Vision
• Components: Toshiba SCib Rechargeable Battery
• Transportation Technologies: Nissan/NTT Docomo/Sharp Built-in Intelligent Key
• Networking: Omron SX-4 Optical Subassembly for HDMI Transmission
• Display: Sharp Aquos XS-1
• Mobile Phone: Sharp Tegaki Chat
• Interface Design: Panasonic EZ Touch Remote
• Product Design: KDDI Ply Phone
• Best Concept: NTT Docomo Handy Separating Mobile Phone
• Green Technology: Panasonic Smart Home Concept Zone 1
• Technological Achievement: JVC 8K Projector

The Best of the U.S. Tech-pert Panel Award was presented to Panasonic’s EZ Touch Remote.

☆The Best of the U.S. Tech-pert Panel Award was presented to Panasonic’s EZ Touch Remote.