IPA Forum 2026

Mon, Sep. 14, 2026

Time
11:00–18:00 (tentative)
Venue
Hotel New Otani (Tokyo)

Free Admission

Registration is now closed.
Thank you to everyone who registered.

Cutting-edge
insights from
domestic and
international experts

Leading experts and business
executives from Japan and
abroad gather to share
cutting-edge insights for
business and management

Dialogue from new
perspectives through
cross-industry
collaboration

Diverse stakeholders including
companies, academia, and
government interact to
promote cross-disciplinary
dialogue

The future of a
digital and
AI-driven society

Explore the future direction
of a society shaped by
digital and AI technologies
from a wide range of
perspectives

Building diverse
professional
networks

Build professional networks
with participants from a
wide range of industries
through in-person
networking

CONCEPT

Turning information
into value.
Turning connections
into power.

An era where digital technology is rewriting the "norm" as we have known it.
The value that can be created by one party alone is limited,
an era where co-creation is a prerequisite for growth.
Living in such an era, we are called upon to collaborate across fields.
IPA Forum 2026, where leaders from various fields gather to connect their knowledge and strengths.
Now, take that first step to envision the future and design innovation.

Featured Speakers

Leading experts from Japan and around the world will discuss the future of AI governance, real-world implementation, and trust infrastructure.

  • Portrait of Katsuya Uenoyama

    Keynote Session

    PKSHA Technology Inc.Representative Director

    Katsuya Uenoyama

    He has made the research, development, and real-world implementation of future software his life’s work, deploying a diverse range of AI systems that co-evolve and interact with humans at more than 4,800 companies since the company’s founding. After working at Boston Consulting Group and GREE International, he earned a Ph.D. in machine learning at the Matsuo Laboratory of the University of Tokyo and founded PKSHA Technology in 2012. He serves as an Advisor to the Digital Agency and also serves in public roles, including as a member of the Cabinet Secretariat’s Council on Digital Administrative and Fiscal Reform. In 2020, he was selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders (YGL 2020).

    View the program
  • Portrait of Boris Otto

    Keynote Session

    Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering

    Boris Otto

    Professor Boris Otto is an industrial engineer and business information scientist and has been Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST in Dortmund since 2017. He has also been Professor of Industrial Information Management at the Technical University of Dortmund. His research and teaching focus on industrial data ecosystems, data spaces and data management in industrial companies.
    He is Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Catena-X Automotive Network e. V., a member of the Board of the Gaia-X European Association for Data and Cloud and the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), a member of the Supervisory Board of the European Health Data Alliance (EDHA) and Coordinator of the EU Data Spaces Support Center (DSSC). Boris Otto is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fraunhofer ICT Group and thus a member of the Executive Board of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

    View the program
  • Portrait of Kunihiro Tanaka

    Keynote Session

    President and CEO, SAKURA internet Inc.

    Kunihiro Tanaka

    In 1996, at the age of 18 while studying at National Institute of Technology, Maizuru College, he founded SAKURA internet Inc. The company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market in 2005 and is currently listed on the Prime Market.
    As a project manager for the IPA's MITOH IT Program to foster IT human resources with excellent technical skills and a director of Kamiyama Marugoto College of Design, Engineering and Entrepreneurship, he is actively involved in nurturing young entrepreneurs and student engineers.
    In addition to serving as an outside director of several companies, he contributes to the development of the IT industry as Chair of the Information Technology Federation of Japan, President of the Software Association of Japan, Chairman of the Japan Data Center Council, and Vice Chairman of the Japan Internet Providers Association.
    He also serves as a Permanent Executive Director of the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives, a member of the Cabinet Office's AI Strategy Council, and a member of various committees under the Council for Japan's Growth Strategy.

    View the program
  • Portrait of Professor Kazuto Ataka

    Keynote Session

    Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University / Senior Strategist, LY Corporation

    Professor Kazuto Ataka

    Representative Director of A Worthy Tomorrow; Director and Chair of the Skill Definition Committee, The Japan DataScientist Society. Previously with McKinsey & Company and CSO of Yahoo Japan, he is now Professor at Keio University and Senior Strategist at LY Corporation. He has contributed extensively to public initiatives concerning science and technology, data and AI, and talent development.

    View the program

  • Panelist

    Research Professor, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University

    Hiroki HABUKA

    Hiroki specializes in law, corporate governance, and social governance in the context of the AI- and data-driven society. He holds LL.B. and J.D. degrees from the University of Tokyo, and an LL.M. from Stanford Law School as a Fulbright Scholar. His professional experience includes practice at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, as well as service at the Financial Services Agency of Japan and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). During his tenure at METI, he was the principal drafter of the Ministry’s report on Agile Governance.
    In 2020, he was named by the World Economic Forum（WEF） as one of the “Top 50 Most Influential People Transforming the Public Sector.” His major publication is Introduction to AI Governance: From Risk Management to Social Design (Hayakawa Publishing).
    He concurrently serves as a Senior Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the Secretariat of the AI Strategy Headquarters (Cabinet Office, Government of Japan), the Representative Director of the Japan Association for AI Governance, Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Law and Politics, Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), member of the WEF’s Global Future Council on GovTech and Digital Public Infrastructure.

    View the program

  • Panelist

    Professor, Information Science Division, Nara Institute of Science and Technology

    Youki Kadobayashi

    Engaged in cybersecurity research and development for over 25 years through collaboration among industry, government, and academia. Also engaged in training and developing cybersecurity professionals for over 20 years. Involved from the initial planning stage in IPA’s Human Resource Development Program at the Industrial Cyber Security Center of Excellence (ICSCoE). Chair of the Advanced AI Utilization Advisory Board at the Digital Agency.

    View the program

  • Panelist

    General Manager of Decentralized Technologies at the Linux Foundation, Executive Director of LF Decentralized Trust

    Daniela Barbosa

    Daniela Barbosa serves as General Manager of Decentralized Technologies at the Linux Foundation and Executive Director of LF Decentralized Trust. She has overall strategic and operational responsibility for staff, programs, expansion, and execution of LF Decentralized Trust’s mission. Previously, she spent seven years in leadership roles at Hyperledger Foundation, driving the collaborative development of enterprise-grade blockchain and identity technologies by a global community. She is a leading voice for the power of openly developed decentralized technologies to optimize critical infrastructure for efficiency, privacy, and inclusivity.

    View the program

  • Panelist

    Professor, The University of Tokyo Interdisciplinary Information Studies, Graduate School Chairman, Data Society Alliance(DSA)

    Noboru Koshizuka

    After receiving his Ph.D. in Science from the University of Tokyo in 1994, he has held his current professorship since 2009. Centered on ubiquitous computing, he leads research across IoT, smart cities, and data spaces. Alongside serving as President of the Data Society Alliance (DSA), he has held and continues to hold several governmental advisory positions, including member of the Council on National Strategic Special Zones (Digital Agency), the Information and Communications Council (MIC), and Chair of the Cabinet Office Study Group on Ensuring Interoperability for Super Cities and Smart Cities.

    View the program

  • Panelist

    Senior Research Director, Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited

    Takahide Matsutsuka

    Takahide Matsutsuka leads advanced research and development in the field of data spaces at Fujitsu Research, with a focus on cross-industry and international data and AI collaboration technologies. Through active engagement with industry associations and international initiatives, he promotes the social implementation of trustworthy distributed AI technologies and the development of collaborative ecosystems. He also serves as Director of the Data Society Alliance (DSA) and as a Visiting Professor at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering.

    View the program

  • Panelist

    Representative Director, FutureWork Research Institute, Inc.

    Naoko Ishihara

    Continues to share insights on work, organizations, and management in the AI era, drawing on research at Recruit Works Institute and ExaWizards into human resource management and organizational transformation through DX and AX. Also involved in formulating policies for developing digital talent at Japan’s Digital Agency.

    View the program

  • Panelist

    Representative Director, Rector, Inc.

    Daichi Hiroki

    Joined mixi, Inc. in 2008. Served as head of the Media Development Department, head of the Development Department, and executive officer in charge of the Service Division before leaving the company in 2015. Founded Rector, Inc. Provides technology management advisory services. His book, Invitation to Engineering Organization Theory, won the Booklog Business Book Grand Prize and the Shoeisha Technical Book Grand Prize. Board Member of the Japan CTO Association. External CTO for Asahi Shimbun Company.

    View the program

What is the IPA Forum?

Why Attend
the IPA Forum?

This is where leaders from diverse fields come together
to share their knowledge and strengths.
It is a place for connection and co-creation
that can only emerge through dialogue.
Why not start shaping the future of the digital ecosystem
and designing innovation here?

Who Should Attend

  • Policymakers
  • Decision-makers in companies and organizations
  • Researchers and experts

  • Companies × Research Institutions × Government

    A hub for co-creation where leading expertise converges

    Industry, research institutions, participants from government, and other sectors come together in one place. Discover new perspectives and unlock opportunities for collaboration through cross-disciplinary dialogue.

  • AI × Data × Talent

    Sharing the latest insights from Japan and around the world

    The latest insights from experts in Japan and around the world on AI, data, and talent development. With simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English, you can participate in global discussions.

  • Networking × Co-creation

    Real connections you can only make in person

    A networking session for approximately 100 participants will be held after the forum. Experience meaningful in-person connections that aren't possible online and build a diverse professional network.

Program

10:30–

Registration opens (30 min.)

11:00–11:10

Opening Remarks / IPA's Vision (10 min.)

Yutaka Saito
Commissioner, IPA

11:10–11:20

Remarks from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (5 min.)

Takashi Kadomatsu
Director-General, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Remarks from the Digital Agency (5 min.)

Ikuo Misumi
Chief Officer of Digital Agency

11:20–11:35

Break / Changeover (15 min.)

11:35–12:55

Keynote Session 1 (80 min.)

AI × Trust & Security

Designing an AI and Digital Society Where Value Creation and Resilience Coexist: Future Prospects

  • Facilitator: IPA CKO / Deputy Director, AISI Kenji Hiramoto
  • Representative Director, PKSHA Technology Inc. Katsuya Uenoyama
  • Research Professor, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University Hiroki HABUKA
  • Professor, Information Science Division, Nara Institute of Science and Technology Youki Kadobayashi
  • Deputy Director-General for Cybersecurity and Information Technology, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Daisuke Takayanagi
12:55–13:10

Break / Changeover (15 min.)

13:10–14:30

Keynote Session 2 (80 min.)

Architecture & Data Integration

Designing the Trust Infrastructure for an AI-Native Society
- Trustworthy Connectivity, Digital Commons, and Open Implementation

  • Facilitator: Deputy Director General, DADC Chiseki Sagawa
  • Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering Boris Otto
  • General Manager of Decentralized Technologies at the Linux Foundation, Executive Director of LF Decentralized Trust Daniela Barbosa
  • Professor, The University of Tokyo Interdisciplinary Information Studies, Graduate School Chairman, Data Society Alliance(DSA) Noboru Koshizuka
  • Senior Research Director, Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited Takahide Matsutsuka
14:30–14:45

Break / Changeover (15 min.)

14:45–15:35

Keynote Session 3 (50 min.)

Frontier

Japan Innovation Platform Top-Level Dialogue
From "Individual Optimization" to "Overall Optimization"
"A Prescription for Achieving Full-Stack AI and Semiconductors: Digital Infrastructure, Architecture, and Talent"

  • President and CEO, SAKURA internet Inc. Kunihiro Tanaka
  • Commissioner, IPA Yutaka Saito
15:35–15:50

Break / Changeover (15 min.)

15:50–16:50

Keynote Session 4 (60 min.)

Academy

Digital Talent as a Management Strategy

  • Facilitator: Vice Commissioner, IPA Keiichiro Mitani
  • Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University / Senior Strategist, LY Corporation Professor Kazuto Ataka
  • Representative Director, FutureWork Research Institute, Inc. Naoko Ishihara
  • Representative Director, Rector, Inc. Daichi Hiroki
16:50–17:00

Closing Remarks (10 min.)

Ryoji Uchida
Vice Commissioner, IPA

17:00–18:00

Networking (Reception with Food and Drinks) | Approx. 100 Participants (60 min.)

An opportunity to connect with business leaders, members of academia, and the IPA network.
You can choose to attend the networking reception when registering.

Around 18:00

Closing

  • Note: Program content, speakers, times, and other details are subject to change. Thank you for your understanding.
  • Note: Names are listed in Japanese syllabary order.

Introduction to IPA

IPA is a public institution under the joint jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Digital Agency, helping to underpin Japan’s digital society.
We connect industry, academia, and government across three key areas—architecture design, talent development, and cybersecurity—to advance the realization of Society 5.0.

  • Digital Infrastructure Providing the foundation for realizing Society 5.0 through
    society-wide architecture design and the development of data spaces
  • Cybersecurity Strengthening cybersecurity as risks increase with the convergence of the physical and cyber worlds
  • Digital Talent
    Development     Accelerating the development of digital talent that drives new value through DX and innovation

Learn More
about IPA

Download the comprehensive "IPA Book" brochure.

IPA BOOK PDF | Approx. 11.1 MB A comprehensive brochure covering IPA's areas of activity, organizational overview, and key initiatives Download the brochure

Event Overview

Date & Time
Monday, September 14, 2026
  • Registration: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Seminar: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Networking: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Venue
Hotel New Otani (Tokyo)
4-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8578, Japan
Fuyo
Directions to the venue
Admission
Free (Advance Registration / Selection by Lottery)
Capacity
Approx. 250 participants
Networking
Approx. 100 participants
Language
Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation
Streaming
Archive streaming only
Organizer
Innovation Platform Agency, Japan (IPA)
Supported by
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Digital Agency
In cooperation with
Nikkei Inc. Media Business and other partners
How to Register
Register here for the lottery for in-person attendance
View on Google Maps

[Notice Regarding Photography and Video Recording]

Video recording and photography will take place at the venue during the event.

The recorded footage and images may subsequently be used by the organizer for distribution and publication on the official website, social media, and other media channels. Please note that attendees may appear in such footage or images, and we kindly ask for your understanding and consent before participating.

In addition, to protect the intellectual property of the speakers and ensure the accuracy of their remarks, attendees are requested not to reproduce the content of the presentations, publish detailed reports, or make any audio or video recordings or take photographs during the event.

FAQ

  • 1. Participation Fee

  • 2. Registration and Lottery

  • 3. Lottery Results

  • 4. Substitute Attendance and Participant Changes

  • 5. What to Bring

  • 6. Venue Facilities

  • 7. Late Arrival and Early Departure

  • 8. Networking Session

  • 9. Archive Streaming

  • 10. Press and Media

Event Inquiries

Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding registration,
press coverage, or general inquiries.

Business Hours: Weekdays, 10:00–17:00 (excluding weekends and public holidays)

Contact Us

Event Report

Archived videos and event reports will be published on a rolling basis after the event.