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.
-
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).
-
Keynote Session
Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering
DirectorProfessor 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. -
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.
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.)
- 11:10–11:20
-
Remarks from METI (5 min.)
Remarks from the Digital Agency (5 min.)
- 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: Deputy Director, AISI Kenji Hiramoto
- Representative Director, PKSHA Technology Inc. Katsuya Uenoyama
- Representative from the Security Center, IPA
Additional speakers will be announced soon.
- 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 (Tentative Title)
- Trustworthy Connectivity, Digital Commons, and Open Implementation- Facilitator: Deputy Director General, DADC Chiseki Sagawa
-
Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering
Director Professor Boris Otto
Additional speakers will be announced soon.
- 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" (Tentative Title)- 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 (Tentative Title)
- Facilitator: Vice Commissioner, IPA Keiichiro Mitani
- Kazuto Ataka
- Representative Director, FutureWork Laboratory Inc. Naoko Ishihara
Additional speakers will be announced soon.
- 16:50–17:00
-
Closing Remarks (10 min.)
- 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
As a public institution under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, IPA supports the foundation of 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
-
What are the 10 Major Security Threats?
(opens in a new tab)
-
About Open Data Spaces
(opens in a new tab)
-
“DX Trends 2026”: As AI Adoption Expands, Can DX Evolve? Digital transformation of society and industry
(opens in a new tab)
-
Planned Revision of the Information Technology Engineers Examination System from Fiscal Year 2027
(opens in a new tab)
-
About the MITOH Program
(opens in a new tab)
Learn More
about IPA
Download the comprehensive "IPA Book" 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 (opens in a new tab) - 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)
- In cooperation with
- Nikkei Inc. Media Business and other partners
- How to Register
- Register here for the lottery for in-person attendance
[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
Participation in this forum is free of charge.
However, advance registration is required. If registrations exceed capacity, participants will be selected by lottery. -
2. Registration and Lottery
Attendance is determined by lottery.
Participants will be selected from among registrants based on venue capacity and other factors. Lottery results will be emailed to you. -
3. Lottery Results
After the registration deadline, the secretariat will conduct a lottery and email you the results.
The notification schedule will be provided on this page or in the registration confirmation email. -
4. Substitute Attendance and Participant Changes
If you wish to change the registered participant, please contact the secretariat in advance.
Depending on registration status or the timing of your change, we may not be able to accommodate your request. -
5. What to Bring
Please bring two business cards. One will be collected at registration, and the other will be placed in a name badge holder for use at the venue.
-
6. Venue Facilities
The hotel’s baggage check is available for your use.
If you have large baggage, please leave it at the baggage check before proceeding to reception. -
7. Late Arrival and Early Departure
You may join or leave the forum at any time.
However, we encourage you to attend the full program whenever possible to get the most out of the forum.
If you plan to attend from Session 2 onward, please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your first session to help ensure a smooth check-in. -
8. Networking Session
A networking session is scheduled after the program to facilitate interaction among participants.
Details will be emailed to confirmed participants. -
9. Archive Streaming
Archive streaming will be available for selected programs at a later date.
Details regarding the program content and viewing instructions will be posted on this page once finalized. -
10. Press and Media
If you wish to cover the event, please contact the secretariat in advance.
We will contact you individually regarding media approval and reception procedures for the day.
Complete your registration in just 3 minutes
Advance Registration for In-Person Attendance [Free / Lottery]
- 1 Enter Your Information
- 2 Lottery
- 3 Notification of Results
The registration form uses an external service (WEBCAS).
Note: Lottery results will be emailed to you after completion of registration.
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)
Event Report
Archived videos and event reports will be published on a rolling basis after the event.