Beyond Information Barriers, Towards a Future Where Everyone Can Participate in Society ~MUD FAIR 2026 to be Held~

From cognitive barrier-free to social participation barrier-free. Two days to consider a "communicative society" through the power of printing, design, and paper.

The All Japan Federation of Printing Industries, Tokyo Printing Industries Association, NPO Media Universal Design Association, and Japan Paper Association will hold "MUD FAIR 2026" for two days on July 24 (Fri.) and 25 (Sat.), 2026, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho.

MUD is an abbreviation for Media Universal Design.

To date, MUD has primarily spread as "visual universal design," considering differences in color vision, visibility, and readability.

However, in modern society, information challenges do not end there.

Barriers related to cognition, psychology, and behavior exist in various situations, including daily life, learning, workplaces, administrative services, and tourism. These include the psychological burden of reading long texts, difficulty understanding complex information, and a lack of opportunities to acquire the fundamental skills for social life.

At "MUD FAIR 2026," we will propose how printing, paper, design, and media can contribute to solving these challenges through exhibitions, seminars, and workshops.

The theme of this fair is "From cognitive barrier-free to social participation barrier-free."

These are two days to consider how to communicate not just to deliver information, but so that everyone can understand, act, and connect with society.

MUD FAIR 2026

The Role of Printing is More Than Just "Putting Information on Paper"

The power of printing is not limited to just putting information on paper.

It lies in designing the "interface" that connects people to people and people to society.

MUD FAIR 2026 will build upon visual UD, which removes barriers of color vision and language, and go a step further to address the cognitive, psychological, and behavioral barriers facing modern society.

"Difficult to read" "Difficult to understand" "Difficult to take action" "Difficult to participate"

How can these challenges be solved with the power of design and media?

At the venue, we will introduce new possibilities of MUD through experiences of seeing, touching, and learning.

Exhibition Corner to Showcase MUD Applications in Wide-Ranging Fields Such as Life, Business, Government, and Education

The exhibition corner "See and Touch MUD" within the venue will introduce the basic concepts of MUD and the history of MUD competitions, as well as showcase application examples by field.

The main exhibition themes are as follows:

Life, Well-being, Tourism

We will introduce MUD that achieves "ease of use" and "clarity" in daily life, such as guideboards and maps that allow enjoyment of travel without feeling language or cognitive barriers, packaging designs that prevent accidental ingestion, and workbooks that support daily task management.

Corporate Public Relations & IR

We will introduce initiatives that incorporate information diversity considerations into corporate activities from the perspective of ESG management and CSR. We propose information design as corporate social responsibility, including the use of MUD certification in recruitment information, manuals, and SR procurement.

Government Services & Public Information

We will introduce "communicative information design" in government services, such as the standardization of easy Japanese and diagrams, and the universalization of public signs. We will also cover achievements reflected in the guidelines of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Social Welfare and Health.

Entertainment & Education

We propose inclusive communication through learning and play, such as multisensory learning utilizing touch, scent, and AR videos, tools for learning social skills and rules through games, and universal entertainment where everyone can play equally under the same rules.

Special Seminars and Parent-Child Workshops Also Held

MUD FAIR 2026 will host seminars and workshops to deepen understanding and experience of MUD.

Special Seminar

The New MUD Envisions a Future Where No One is Left Behind Date & Time: July 24, 2026 (Fri.) 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Lecturers: Yasuhiro Uragubo Director, NPO Media Universal Design Association

Kazuhiro Kobayashi Representative Director, Kids Project Inc.

Based on the new concept of MUD advocated by Director Uragubo and the methods of encouraging action using entertainment explained by Mr. Kobayashi, we will consider how to translate understanding into practice.

Parent-Child Workshop

Let's Communicate Through Shapes! ~Universal Sign Design Workshop~ Date & Time: July 25, 2026 (Sat.) 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Lecturer: Takashi Tokuma Bowl Graphics Co., Ltd.

This workshop allows participants to experience design that communicates even without understanding words, like traffic signs seen on the street. Using the MUD FAIR original kit, participants will challenge themselves to create signs that are understandable to everyone. Completed works can be taken home.

MUD FAIR 2026 Workshop

Simultaneously Held "Paper Summit Japan" to Feature Talk Sessions on the Value of Paper

This fair will be held concurrently with "Paper Summit Japan."

Talk sessions to reconsider the value of paper and printing will also be held at the venue.

Evidence Shows the True Value of Paper

~Comparison of Digital and Physical Media~ Date & Time: July 24, 2026 (Fri.) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Speaker: Hirohito Shibata Professor, Graduate School of Gunma University

From the era of "The Internet, what is that?" to today.

Date & Time: July 25, 2026 (Sat.) 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Speaker: Issei Kitagawa Representative Director, Graph Inc.

You Think You Know, But You Don't!? The Fascinating World of Paper

Date & Time: July 25, 2026 (Sat.) 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Speaker: Junko Tsuda Editor-in-Chief, "Hikidashi of Design"

Especially in an era of increasing digitalization, we will consider from multiple perspectives the readability, texture, memorability, and potential of paper as a medium that reaches people's hearts.

Event Overview

Name: MUD FAIR 2026 Theme: From cognitive barrier-free to social participation barrier-free Dates: July 24 (Fri.) and 25 (Sat.), 2026 Time: July 24 (Fri.) 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM July 25 (Sat.) 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho Admission Fee: Free

Organizers: All Japan Federation of Printing Industries Tokyo Printing Industries Association NPO Media Universal Design Association Japan Paper Association

Supporters: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry of the Environment Tokyo Metropolitan Government Japan Printing Industry Federation

Cooperation: Japan Paper Association

Contact: All Japan Federation of Printing Industries TEL: 03-3552-4571 Contact Person: Koike

d126074-4-aa5e2a9d08b133cbb00dabb735d2139c.pdf