Macworld Expo/Tokyo canceled

It looks like the show won't go on for Macworld Expo/Tokyo.

The show's producer, IDG World Expo Japan, has decided to cancel next year's show. In an e-mail, parent company IDG blamed the cancellation on a lack of interest from exhibitors.

"IDG World Expo Japan made a decision to cancel the Macworld Expo/Tokyo 2003 because of not receiving applications from major exhibitors by the time of deadline," an IDG representative said in the e-mail. The decision was made Thursday, the representative said.

The move follows a recent spat between Apple Computer and IDG over the show organizer's decision in October to move the East Coast installment of Macworld Expo to Boston from New York. Apple has committed to exhibiting at January's Macworld Expo in San Francisco, but has said it won't make the move to Boston and is rethinking whether it will take part in the final New York Macworld in July.

An Apple representative did not return a call seeking comment.

In the past, Apple has been the main attraction at the Japanese Macworld show, which typically takes place in February or March. This year, Apple used the show to introduce a higher-capacity iPod and a high-resolution 23-inch flat-panel monitor. In 2001, Steve Jobs went to Japan to introduce two psychedelic-colored iMacs--Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian.

In its e-mail, IDG said it is "planning future specialized conferences focused on specific topics, issues and categories for Mac users in 2003."

The company referred further questions to its Japanese trade show unit. A representative of IDG World Expo Japan did not immediately respond to e-mail seeking comment.

IDG's plan to cancel the show was earlier reported by the Web site of British enthusiast magazine MacUser UK.