In pictures: PV Expo 2017, Tokyo

One of Japan's biggest stars, film actor/director Takeshi Kitano is the face of local manufacturer DMM, demonstrating just how mainstream PV has become in Japan.

There are strong expectations that the commercial rooftop market - and residential - will carry the Japanese PV industry even as the age of utility-scale 'megasolar' comes into relative decline.

Panasonic's stand featured a Toyota Prius petrol-EV hybrid with 180w of solar on its roof.

Hanwha Q Cells displaying 160w, 240w and 300w modules.

Many domestic and overseas makers are targeting an expected boom in Zero Energy Houses. Pictured here are inverters from China's Suntech specifically designed to support that market.

Solar panel cleaning robot from Resola.

Toshiba's residential modules that go for high-efficiency and economy of space.

Exotic machinery for domestic EPCs (left) and O&M solutions (right).

International inverter makers including SolarEdge and SMA were present with large stands aimed at Japanese customers.

Finally: it wouldn't be a Japanese trade show without some robots.