Celebrating Creativity and Innovation: Made-in-Shanghai Event Blossoms in Umeda

As the Chinese solar term "Grain Buds" came into effect, the bustling Umeda in Osaka became a hub for creativity and innovation through the "Made-in-Shanghai" event. This five-day multi-format celebration launched on May 21st, 2025, at Grand Green Osaka, located just north of the JR Osaka Station. With Osaka being a significant transportation and commercial center in Japan, the event is poised to attract a diverse audience of both local visitors and international guests.

The "Made-in-Shanghai" event is not merely a showcase of the fashion prowess of Shanghai. It serves as a unique opportunity to connect Shanghai's evolving fashion ecosystem with Japanese audiences. As FANG Wei, China's Vice Consul General in Osaka, pointed out during the opening, the event represents a new chapter in the Shanghai-Osaka partnership. It highlights the shift from "Made-in-China" to "Created-in-China", where innovation and technology meet style and creativity.

A major highlight of the event is the participation of local and foreign businesses. Shanghai-based CREATER, a property operator, shared insights on how they transformed the historic Yuyuan Road into a vibrant fashion and creative district. The historical site now serves as a global launchpad for new products and is home to a multitude of creative enterprises. Additionally, Fengxian District's game-changing Oriental Beauty Valley introduced Japanese consumers to leading Chinese beauty brands, an impressive feat given the sophistication of the local market.

Throughout the Public Open Days, visitors were treated to an immersive experience that highlighted the Shanghai lifestyle. Key opinion leaders (KOLs) and Japanese consumers engaged with a variety of offerings, from fashion and home decor to beauty products and traditional oriental tea at a tea-sake house. Brands like Shanghai Chicmax presented their innovative products while establishing a new research and development center in Japan. Similarly, the Shanghai brand "nice rice" showcased its casual lifestyle apparel, appealing to modern consumers.

In a bid to foster cross-cultural dialogue, Hankyu Department Store hosted pop-up stores labeled "WINDow of EAST", featuring creations from six various young Chinese designers, all beautifully curated by the Shanghai Fashion Designers' Association.

The event was further enhanced by the “Shanghai-Osaka Forum,” which facilitated discussions on pressing themes like the "Evolution of Consumer Culture". This panel included leaders from the fashion industry and renowned media, sharing their insights on changing consumer behaviors and trends. Another important forum focused on sustainable urban development, exploring common challenges faced by Shanghai and Osaka regarding green design practices. Notorious figures from architecture and urban planning, including Dezeen's China editor and various renowned architects from Japan, participated to share ideas on sustainable practices that benefit both cities.

Organized under the guidance of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the event was co-hosted by multiple Shanghai economic commissions and executed by prominent local organizations. This showcases the seriousness with which both sides approach cultural exchange, infrastructure investment, and artistic collaboration.

In essence, the "Made-in-Shanghai" event is more than an exhibition; it becomes a vital touchpoint for creativity and business cooperation between Japan and China. It marks a transformation not just in consumer culture but in fostering soft power between cities known for their rich histories and dynamic futures. For those who missed out on this event, it stands testament to the collective efforts of creative minds from Shanghai, and it promises to inspire similar initiatives in the future.