I attended SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 (#eventreport)

I had the opportunity to attend the startup conference “SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025,” held on May 8th and 9th at Tokyo Big Sight. This large-scale event brought together startups, venture capitalists (VCs), major corporations, and local governments from both Japan and abroad. Notably, over 600 startups participated this year, with 60% of them being international companies, making it a highly global event. I also visited the concurrently held “Startup JAPAN EXPO” and was able to gain many new insights and connections by moving between the two events.

Event Scale and Exhibits

The SusHi Tech venue spanned across three halls at Tokyo Big Sight, featuring booths from domestic and international companies and regions. The startup booths were categorized by sectors such as “Food Tech,” “Quantum,” and “AI,” which allowed efficient exploration.

At the booths of large corporations, the focus was on presenting cutting-edge technologies and large-scale projects they are handling. Some countries even had a pavilion-style booth where multiple companies exhibited together, which was very impressive.

What struck me the most was the sheer number of companies offering services using AI technology. It was a strong reminder that AI has now become an indispensable common platform for startups. Moreover, the opportunity to experience innovative technologies and services that have not yet been implemented in society gave me a tangible sense of the “possibilities of the future,” which was incredibly stimulating.

Reconnecting with Existing Contacts and Building New Connections

The venue brought together participants from various regions, including Osaka and the Kansai area, providing a valuable opportunity to expand networks through mutual introductions among acquaintances. Companies such as “Wada FoodTech Group Co., Ltd.” and “Cardio Intelligence Inc.” which are based at FUTRWORKS, had their own booths at the event. Additionally, some of the nomads who participated in FUTRFEST, held in March this year, were also in attendance.

A photo with Mr. Jason Chen, CEO of Wada FoodTech Group Co., Ltd.

International Sessions and Networking

The venue featured 10 stages where sessions were held continuously throughout the event. Most of these sessions were conducted in English, creating a distinctly international atmosphere. Furthermore, at the VC-hosted event focusing on deep-tech startups, which I attended the day before SusHi Tech, there was a high proportion of foreign participants, highlighting the strong interest from overseas.

Through this year’s SusHi Tech, I was once again reminded of the vibrancy of the startup ecosystem and the high level of attention it attracts both domestically and internationally. In particular, I gained valuable insights on how Osaka and the Kansai region can embrace this momentum and effectively showcase the region’s strengths and unique appeal.

Moving forward, I aim to further enhance Kansai’s presence on the global stage and share the region’s attractiveness with the world. At the same time, I am committed to continuing to support startups and companies so they can expand their reach globally.