#Japan #Tokyo #Autonomous Driving #Tokyo Institute #Smart Society

The Dawn of Autonomous Driving in Japan

The 12th Smart Society Promotion Forum is set to showcase the advancements in Japan's autonomous driving technology. Scheduled for March 19, 2026, at the Digital Multipurpose Hall in the Ooka-Ma Campus, this forum promises to be a pivotal event for stakeholders in smart mobility.

Event Overview

During this forum, participants will have the opportunity to dive deep into the current landscape of autonomous driving in Japan, exploring key themes like policy trends, regional implementations, technological innovations, road infrastructure, and risk management. The event will also touch on the vision of mobility coexisting harmoniously with humans.

When and Where

• - Date: March 19, 2026
• - Time: Demonstrations from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the main forum from 1:00 PM to 6:05 PM, followed by a networking event from 6:10 PM to 7:50 PM (ticket price: 2,000 yen; students: 1,000 yen).
• - Location: Digital Multipurpose Hall, Ooka-Ma Campus, followed by networking at Tsubame Terrace (Coop cafeteria).

Keynote Speakers

This event will feature a diverse range of speakers, including key figures from government, academia, and industry:

• - Masakazu Takeda (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) - Keynote address.
• - Koichi Ota (Shiojiri City Hall) - Keynote address.
• - Other notable speakers include:

- Yuki Iida (Tiafour)
- Shigeto Itaya (T2)
- Masaya Segawa (Advanced Mobility)
- Motoki Kotake (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
- Takuya Miyazawa (Rakuten Mobile)
- Shinten Funakoshi (NTT Docomo Business)
- Masafumi Nakata (Mitsubishi Electric)
- Tatsuya Watanabe (Sompo Japan)
- Shingo Sumi (Panasonic System Networks Development Lab)
- Kei Sakaguchi (Tokyo Institute of Technology)

Forum Goals

The forum aims to navigate through the essential aspects that will drive Japan’s autonomous driving evolution from 2025 to 2028. With 'Level 4' services, which require no driver under specific conditions, set to emerge alongside technological maturity and regulatory policies, the event encourages collaboration among municipalities, startups, telecommunications providers, industry sectors, insurance companies, and academic institutions.

Collaborative Efforts

The forum is proudly sponsored by the Smart Society Promotion Consortium, co-hosted by the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and with support from numerous organizations including the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industry Association, ITS Japan, the Toyota Mobility Foundation, and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. Additionally, municipal endorsements come from cities such as Iwata, Kawasaki, Ota, Sagamihara, Meguro, and Yokohama.

Conclusion

Join us at this critical forum as we explore various topics, share expert insights, and discuss the future of autonomous mobility in Japan. Your participation will contribute to the dialogue surrounding this transformative technological shift in our society.

For those interested in attending, please register via the Event Website or use the Registration Form for in-person attendance. A remote option via Zoom is also available here.