#Japan #Tokyo #Urban Development #Tenchijin #Infrastructure AX

Infrastructure AX Strategy Conference Report

On July 9, 2026, the Infrastructure AX Strategy Conference took place at Tokyo Big Sight, coinciding with the Municipal General Fair 2026. This significant gathering, hosted by the Local Government Infrastructure AX Summit Executive Committee and run by Tenchijin Inc., attracted 112 attendees, including representatives from the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, university professors, local government officials, and private sector professionals.

The conference’s central concern was how to tackle the dual challenges of an aging infrastructure and a dwindling workforce. With population decline and labor shortages becoming increasingly critical issues, discussions centered on leveraging Digital Transformation (DX) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to maintain and improve urban infrastructures. The theme, “AI Changing the Frontline of National Infrastructure Strategy,” explored solutions from both strategic and practical perspectives, engaging various stakeholders from government, research institutions, and business sectors.

Context of the Event

The situation is dire: aging societal infrastructure coupled with a decreasing number of workers poses significant challenges for local administrations. The Infrastructure AX Strategy Conference aimed to address how DX and AI can be integrated into the management of urban infrastructure, enhancing maintenance processes with innovative solutions.

Keynote Sessions

Keynote Address 1: The Government's Vision for 'Infrastructure AX' and Public-Private Collaboration

Presented by Kohei Yoshida, Deputy Director of the Digital Government Reform Office, the session outlined how digital initiatives are positioned as pivotal in generating time efficiencies while promoting standardization, commonality, and joint procurement among public and private entities. With statistics indicating that by 2050, one in four workers will be lost, the urgency of adapting swiftly to digital resource management was emphasized. Yoshida urged local governments to expand collaborative procurement efforts.

Keynote Address 2: Utilizing the Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Platform (SPIVE)

Masafumi Kobayashi from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism discussed leveraging real estate and human flow data to visualize the benefits of infrastructure. Learning from the UK’s Evidence-Based Policy Making (EBPM), the newly established SPIVE focuses on staff training and expert analytical support, demonstrating successful projects like the revitalization of Himeji's Otemae Street where collaborative planning yielded economic benefits.

Video Presentation: The Frontier of 'Human-AI Cooperation'

In a recorded address, Kiyoyuki Kaito, Professor at Osaka University, highlighted the role of data analytics in infrastructure onto decision-making fronts. He discussed two decades of experience using models to predict the deterioration of civil structures, advocating for a software-assisted evaluation approach to optimize inspection frequencies and decision-making processes.

Advanced AX Case Studies: Municipal Management and AI's Potential

Tatsumi Ochi from Minami Town in Tokushima shared their journey toward fostering an environment where all employees could utilize generative AI tools, emphasizing the acceleration of digital initiatives under resource constraints. His approach stressed the importance of practicality over perfection in these efforts.

Private Service Pitch: Specialized AX Services from Private Companies

Presenters from four companies, including Tenchijin and Aisin, showcased their contributions towards supporting urban infrastructure through AI. They underscored that AI solutions require a foundational data structure and emphasized the importance of human oversight in decision-making processes.

Overview of the Local Government Infrastructure AX Summit 2026 Committee

The committee, comprised of government, private sector leaders, and academic scholars, is dedicated to realizing sustainable infrastructure management within constrained resources. It aims to transform accumulated knowledge into actionable AI-based assets for future infrastructure challenges, ensuring that vital experience is not lost.

Company Profile

Company Name: Tenchijin, Inc.
Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Mitsui Building 5F
Representative: Yasuto Sakuraba
Business: Land evaluation consulting using satellite data
Website: Tenchijin
Social Media: Twitter, LinkedIn, Note