Daniel Slotta
Research expert covering Greater China
Extended reality (XR) technology in Japan - statistics and facts
Extended reality (XR) technology is an umbrella term for immersive technology that enables virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or mixed reality (MR) experiences. Pioneered by people such as the American filmmaker Morton Leonard Heilig, who patented the first VR machine in the early 1960s, XR is expected to become more and more important in the coming years. Factors such as the increasing sophistication and affordability of dedicated hardware, the perceived potential of new business applications, and a demand for new consumer experiences, which include experiences in the metaverse, contribute to the expectations regarding XR. In 2022, the XR Fair Tokyo, a B-to-B exhibition showcasing technology and services related to VR, AR, and MR, was held for the first time in Japan, showing that XR receives considerable attention from Japanese businesses as well.
