Business Show '97 Tokyo will open May 13 at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, featuring many exhibitions on intranet and Internet networking, according to the organizing groups.

The show, organized jointly by Nippon Omni-Management Association and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will have 432 private companies participating, including NEC Corp., Toshiba Corp., Canon Sales Co., DDI Corp. and firms from Taiwan and South Korea. As computers and digital technology are becoming important business tools, this year's show, dubbed "Global Communication Networks Open Up Opportunities for Innovative Business," will focus on computer systems, digital photography and mobile phones, show officials said.

The show, to run until May 16, will also feature venture businesses and symposiums, and panel discussions by executives of computer-related companies such as Intel Corp. and other business executives, the officials said. The exhibition is open only to invited guests May 13 and May 14. It will be open to the public May 15 and May 16. Admission is free. Officials expect about 400,000 visitors.