The third annual SusHi Tech Tokyo conference opened its doors on Thursday at Tokyo Big Sight, transforming the venue into a bustling epicenter of innovation with a record-breaking 600 startups and pavilions from 16 countries.
The dramatic expansion has solidified the event’s position as one of Asia’s largest and most influential startup gatherings.
The three-day conference, whose name stands for “Realizing Sustainable Cities with High Technology,” has evolved significantly since its inception in 2023, reflecting Tokyo’s ambitious vision to become a global hub for sustainable innovation.
Foreign participation has reached unprecedented levels, with nearly 400 of the 600 participating startups coming from outside Japan. National pavilions have more than tripled compared to previous years, with countries including Germany, India, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates establishing significant presence at the conference.
The international atmosphere was palpable on opening day, with conversations in multiple languages creating a dynamic soundtrack to the proceedings. Business cards exchanged hands at a dizzying pace as entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate representatives forged new connections.
Focus on Diversity and Sustainability
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has prioritized diversity at this year’s event, with approximately half of all speakers coming from outside Japan and 45% being women—a notable achievement for an industry often criticized for homogeneity.
The opening ceremonies featured keynote addresses from Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and Hitachi Chairman Toshiaki Higashihara.
Taiwan’s former digital minister Audrey Tang is scheduled to speak today, joining nearly 300 other thought leaders throughout the event.
Yuriko Koike last Friday in preparation for the event said. “I hope, with SusHi Tech, innovation leaders from all over the world will interact with each other and have a lot of success, and, with this, great innovations will be born out of such exchanges.”
The conference’s sustainability focus draws inspiration from Tokyo’s historical roots in the circular economy during the Edo Period (1603-1868), when resource conservation and reuse were deeply embedded in daily life.
The conference structure balances business development with public education. The first two days are dedicated to investors, media, and business negotiations, with organizers anticipating more than 5,000 formal business discussions. Saturday will open the doors to the general public, with total attendance—both online and in-person—expected to reach 50,000 visitors.
Many startups are using the conference to launch new products or announce partnerships.
For Governor Koike, whose reelection campaign last year prominently featured startup support, the conference represents a fulfillment of campaign promises. Under her leadership, Tokyo has implemented multiple initiatives beyond SusHi Tech, including dedicated funding programs for female entrepreneurs.
As the conference proceeds through its business-focused days before Saturday’s public session, it stands as a testament to Tokyo’s growing influence in the global startup ecosystem—a harmonious blend of traditional Japanese values and forward-thinking innovation philosophy.
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