Unlike many tech conferences that often employ vague themes, SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 is focused on four well-defined technology domains. Each domain will feature live demonstrations, dedicated exhibit floors, and sessions led by key innovators and investors shaping these technologies around the world.
TechCrunch is proud to be an official media partner for SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026. Our Startup Battlefield team will be present to identify a standout semifinalist from the SusHi Tech Challenge, who will then advance to the prestigious TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield 200—recognized as one of the top platforms for emerging tech startups. Here’s what attendees can expect on the exhibition floor.
AI: Moving Beyond Hype to Real Infrastructure
Sessions featuring industry leaders such as Howard Wright from Nvidia, Rob Chu from AWS, and Eric Benhamou of Benhamou Global Ventures will delve into the genuine applications of AI at scale and the associated risks. Attendees will witness AI-themed university startups pitching their ideas alongside established global players, and the AI Film Festival Japan—a partner event at Tokyo Innovation Base—will showcase how artificial intelligence is actively reshaping cultural landscapes.
Robotics: Interactive Physical AI
At SusHi Tech, the showcase of robots is an interactive experience rather than a distant display. Onstage discussions featuring representatives from Nissan, Isuzu, and Applied Intuition’s Qasar Younis will explore how software-defined vehicles are revolutionizing transportation. This is not a future trend; it is happening now, with physical AI making its presence felt in Tokyo on April 27.
Resilience: Preparing Cities for Future Challenges
Eva Chen from Trend Micro and Noboru Nakatani of NEC will address critical issues in cyber defense, while leading climate tech investors from Breakthrough Energy and Cleantech Group will analyze current trends in global investment. A VR disaster simulator and guided tours of Tokyo’s underground flood-control infrastructure will underscore the real stakes involved in urban resilience.
Entertainment: Japan’s Cultural Powerhouse and AI
Discussions featuring CEOs from Production I.G, MAPPA, and CoMix Wave Films will address Tokyo’s ambition to become the animation capital akin to Hollywood. Live demonstrations will showcase how startups are leveraging AI to translate manga for international audiences, generate music from text prompts, and bring Japanese intellectual property to life as anime, making it accessible to a global market.
Remote Access to Tokyo
For those unable to attend SusHi Tech Tokyo in person, remote participation is an option that transcends mere livestreaming. On-site staff will navigate the exhibition on your behalf, utilizing a device that displays your image, enabling real-time interaction with attendees and exhibitors. This innovative approach brings audiences as close to the event as possible.
In conjunction with the startup event, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will host leaders from 55 cities across five continents. Their discussions will focus on “A New Urban Future Built on Climate and Disaster Resilience.” This summit, part of G-NETS (Global City Network for Sustainability), aims to address common challenges with an emphasis on urban climate disaster resilience and citizen well-being. General audiences can access the summit via live streaming on YouTube.
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 will take place from April 27–29 at Tokyo Big Sight, with business days on April 27–28 and a public day offering free admission on April 29. Registration is available now.