AI, robotics, resilience, and entertainment collide at SusHi Tech

Summary:

• SusHi Tech Tokyo has grown into Asia’s largest global innovation conference, aiming to showcase how technology can be used as a tool for the betterment of humanity and urban life.
• Held from April 27 to 29, this year’s edition focuses on AI (transforming society and work), robotics (improving convenience and safety), resilience (protecting cities from natural disasters and climate change), and entertainment (enhancing creativity in fields like anime and music).
• It will also feature over 700 exhibiting startups and a global pitch contest, while hosting high-profile international speakers from companies like Nvidia, Naver, and Sony to foster collaboration within the global startup ecosystem.
• Get your tickets today.

Amid concerns about humanity’s relationship with AI and other technologies, it’s worth remembering that humans create and use all these as tools to learn and do more things for the betterment of our world.

In other words, tech advancements should always be in service of humanity.

That train of thought powers SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026. The event, which will be held from April 27 to 29 at Tokyo Big Sight, not only highlights important discussions on the latest advancements in AI and robotics but also puts the spotlight on how tech can be used to strengthen urban resilience and support everyday life in the city and how it can bring creativity in the entertainment field to the next level.

The pre-event for SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 / Photo credit: Tokyo Metropolitan Government

“In terms of scale and content, we are making this the most evolved version yet,” said Kazunori Maebayashi, a director at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Startup Strategy Promotion Headquarters.

The first two days of the event have been slated as “Business Days,” with a focus on industry discussions and collaboration. The event will then be open to the public on its final day.

Ahead of the event, we learn more about SusHi Tech Tokyo, its goals, and what attendees can expect.

What is SusHi Tech Tokyo all about?

Since the event started three years ago, SusHi Tech Tokyo has grown into Asia’s largest global innovation conference. It’s an initiative that brings people from around the world together to envision, debate, and implement the society of the future.

This 2026 edition will be on an even larger scale, aspiring to serve as a global platform where diverse innovators come together in Tokyo to connect and interact. We invite attendees to experience new technologies with a focus on four key areas: AI, aiming to significantly transform society; robotics, to make people’s lives more convenient and enriching; resilience, aimed at overcoming urban crises; and entertainment, to bring richness and joy to our lives.

Tell us more about the four pillars (AI, robotics, resilience, entertainment) and why they are important.

With the advancement of AI across all fields, our lives, our work styles, and the very nature of innovation are undergoing significant change. The event will showcase the transformative power of AI in various forms. This includes a pitch contest and an exhibition featuring AI-focused startups originating at universities and research institutions across Japan, as well as sessions and partner events showcasing award-winning films from an international AI film festival.

Against the backdrop of the accelerating evolution of AI, robotics is rapidly advancing as physical AI becomes integrated into society. Demonstrations will showcase technologies that help create a more convenient and prosperous society, with robots taking on a variety of tasks like transport and infrastructure inspections.

Resilience is all about showcasing technologies designed to support urban life and ensure swift recovery from natural disasters, such as earthquakes, storm and flood damage, and other aspects of climate change. Site tours will be conducted showcasing the critical infrastructure that protects Tokyo’s urban functions and its inhabitants’ lives, providing a firsthand look at facilities like the underground regulating reservoirs designed to prevent river flooding.

Photo credit: Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Last but not least, the field of entertainment, including anime, manga, music, and sports, enriches our lives. The event will showcase technologies that are fundamentally transforming both creative processes and audience experiences. To showcase the appeal of Tokyo to a global audience, a variety of partner events will also be held across the city, outside the main venue. These include a walking event on the KK Line, an elevated urban expressway being regenerated into a pedestrian space.

How does SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026’s themes and pillars support the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s startup initiatives?

As an innovation conference based on the concept of “realizing sustainable cities through high technology,” we foster new business opportunities and drive significant growth. We’re doing so by bringing together innovators – including startups, investors, large corporations, and universities – from Japan and abroad who share this vision to collaborate and partner with each other.

What are some key numbers of the 2026 edition?

More than 700 startups from around the world are scheduled to exhibit (up from 607 in 2025), including those exhibiting in collaboration with large corporations and in pavilions hosted by countries, regions, and cities, and by municipalities from across Japan.

Photo credit: Tokyo Metropolitan Government

At the global pitch contest SusHi Tech Challenge 2026, 20 startups will be selected from 820 applicants spanning 60 countries and regions to compete in the semi-finals and finals (up from 657 applicants from 46 countries and regions previously).

This year also marks the debut of the SusHi Tech Global Startups, a group of growth-stage companies receiving intensive support through a collaboration between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and its various partners.

What kinds of topics and speakers can attendees look forward to?

Sessions will feature leaders from diverse fields discussing topics from multiple perspectives. These include the realization of sustainable cities, cutting-edge technologies, and the startup ecosystem, among others.

Some international speakers attendees can look forward to hearing from include

• Howard Wright, vice president of startup ecosystem at Nvidia
• Sooyeon Choi, CEO of Naver Corporation
• Eva Chen, CEO and co-founder of Trend Micro Incorporated.

Local speakers also come from a range of backgrounds and companies. These include the likes of

• Hiroaki Kitano, president and CEO of Sony Computer Science Laboratories
• Akiko Naka, CEO of Wantedly
• Yutaka Matsuo, professor at the department for technology management for innovation at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering
• Atsushi Deguchi, executive director and vice president of the University of Tokyo

Do you have an example that illustrates how SusHi Tech Tokyo is becoming an increasingly global platform?

Enterprise Singapore, which assists with Singapore companies’ expansion plans and connects international businesses to trusted partners in Singapore, has been an exhibiting partner with us since 2023 and has been increasing its presence year by year. In 2026, it will be returning with its largest Singapore Pavilion to date, and activities will focus even more strongly on business partnerships and innovation through collaborations between Singapore and Japan.

Enterprise Singapore has been an exhibiting partner at SusHi Tech Tokyo since 2023 / Photo credit: Tokyo Metropolitan Government

“[2026] is a milestone year, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan,” shared Sophia Ng, executive director of startup ecosystem development at Enterprise Singapore. “Our participation at SusHi Tech provides a timely platform to showcase six decades of trusted partnership, while signalling new growth opportunities for startups and enterprises from both countries.”

Additionally, SusHi Tech has exhibited at the Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology since 2024, and through these mutual exhibitions, we are fostering ecosystem collaboration and supporting startups’ entry into both markets.

SusHi Tech Tokyo is a symbol of overcoming global urban challenges using cutting-edge technology, diverse ideas, and digital know-how to ultimately create a sustainable society.

The 2026 edition will be held at Tokyo Big Sight, with its Business Days on April 27 to 28 and its Public Day on April 29. Get your tickets today.

Additionally, keep up to date with everything about the event by downloading its app.

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY

This content was produced by Tech in Asia Studios, which connects brands with Asia’s tech community. Learn more about partnering with Tech in Asia Studios.