In recent years, Asia’s innovation landscape has expanded rapidly, with cities such as Singapore, Seoul and Bangalore establishing themselves as major startup hubs. Tokyo, long known for its industrial and technological strength, is now positioning itself more assertively within the global startup ecosystem. At the centre of this effort is SusHi Tech Tokyo, an annual innovation conference that is quickly gaining international attention.
Launched in 2024 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, SusHi Tech Tokyo was conceived as more than just a technology conference. It was designed as a global platform where startups, investors, corporations, researchers and city leaders could come together to explore how technology can shape the cities and societies of the future.
In a relatively short time, the event has grown in scale and ambition. The upcoming SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, scheduled to take place at Tokyo Big Sight from 27 to 29 April, is expected to bring together more than 700 startups and approximately 60,000 attendees. The conference also anticipates facilitating around 10,000 business meetings, reflecting its growing importance as a marketplace for ideas, capital and partnerships.
A Platform Built Around the Future of Cities
The name SusHi Tech stands for Sustainable High City Tech, reflecting Tokyo’s focus on technologies that improve urban life and address global challenges. The conference focuses on innovations that can transform how cities function, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, climate resilience and digital entertainment.
This emphasis on urban innovation gives the event a distinctive identity. Rather than focusing narrowly on startups or venture capital, SusHi Tech Tokyo brings together multiple parts of the innovation ecosystem. Global investors, policymakers, academic institutions and large corporations participate alongside early-stage startups.
For many companies, this broader ecosystem is one of the event’s strongest attractions. Japan remains one of the world’s largest technology markets, yet it has historically been perceived as difficult for foreign startups to enter. By creating a single platform that connects global innovators with Japanese industry and government, SusHi Tech Tokyo aims to lower those barriers.
Growing International Participation
The event’s rapid expansion reflects Tokyo’s determination to strengthen its role as a global innovation centre. Participation has increased steadily since the inaugural conference in 2024. Startup participation alone has grown significantly, while the number of countries represented at the event continues to rise.
Pavilions from more than 20 countries and regions are expected at the 2026 edition, creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration. These international delegations often include startups seeking market entry, investors exploring partnerships and government agencies promoting their national innovation ecosystems.
For Tokyo, this growing international presence serves a strategic purpose. Japan has traditionally relied heavily on domestic innovation. However, policymakers increasingly recognise that global collaboration is essential for maintaining technological leadership in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics and deep tech.
Startups at the Core
At its heart, SusHi Tech Tokyo remains a startup-driven event. The conference provides startups with opportunities to showcase technologies, connect with investors and explore partnerships with large corporations.
One of the centrepieces of the event is the SusHi Tech Challenge, a global pitch competition that attracts hundreds of startup applications from around the world. The competition culminates in live presentations where selected startups compete for recognition and potential investment.
University-born startups are also expected to play an important role. Japan has a strong academic research base, and many universities are increasingly focused on commercialising research through spin-off companies. SusHi Tech Tokyo offers a high-profile platform for these ventures to present their technologies to global investors.
Corporate Japan Joins the Innovation Conversation
Another distinctive feature of the conference is the strong presence of large corporations. More than 60 major companies are expected to participate in the 2026 edition, many showcasing open innovation initiatives or partnerships with startups.
This reflects a broader shift within Japanese industry. Large corporations are increasingly recognising the value of collaborating with startups to accelerate innovation and explore new business models.
SusHi Tech Tokyo therefore serves as a bridge between traditional industry and emerging technology companies. For startups, this creates opportunities not only for funding but also for commercial partnerships.
A Global Vision for Tokyo’s Innovation Future
The conference is part of the Tokyo 2050 Strategy, an initiative aimed at strengthening the city’s role as a global innovation hub. By attracting entrepreneurs, investors and technology leaders from around the world, Tokyo hopes to create an ecosystem that supports globally competitive startups.
Events such as SusHi Tech Tokyo also contribute to a broader narrative about the future of cities. As urban populations grow and technological change accelerates, cities will increasingly become the testing ground for new ideas.
In that context, SusHi Tech Tokyo is positioning itself as a place where those ideas can be explored, debated and implemented.
If current growth trends continue, the conference could soon join the ranks of the world’s most influential innovation gatherings.