Sushi Tech Tokyo opens, Governor Koike discusses sustainable cities

JStories ー SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025, organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, opened today at Tokyo Big Sight and will run from May 8 to 10. The event has grown to become one of the Asia's largest startup conferences, with 657 participating startups from 46 countries and regions, and 613 exhibiting companies.In her opening keynote address, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike emphasized the event's philosophy of "realizing sustainable cities through high technology".

Now in its third year, this event has become a hub for diverse sectors like startups, investors, large corporations, local governments, and students. With themes of "Future," "Enjoy" and "Action," the conference scheduled 135 sessions focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum technology and food tech.

Gov. Koike touched on the significant changes in the global political and economic landscape that have created uncertainties for future growth, emphasizing that "creation" is essential. She explained that when motivated individuals gather and share knowledge, the power to overcome uncertainty emerges.

"If we remain unsettled, we cannot forge a path to the future. What should we do? The answer is creation. The more unstable the global situation becomes, the more we need new ideas and creativity.” Koike said. “Leveraging Tokyo's strengths as a city and nurturing technologies that solve social issues together with startups will be the key to overcoming these uncertain times. The wisdom and passion of everyone gathered here today will shape tomorrow's Tokyo and Japan" .

Regarding AI, she pointed out that it has evolved at a pace exceeding predictions from just a few years ago. She revealed that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will formulate its first AI strategy this summer, aiming to build a "Japanese model" for AI use in administrative services.She expressed her support for the development of quantum computing and addressing the problem of AI’s high electricity consumption.

This year's SusHi Tech Tokyo is more internationally diverse. Pavilions from 16 countries and regions — triple last year's number — are exhibiting, while corporate pavilions promoting open innovation have increased from 29 to 47. This demonstrates Tokyo's growing presence as a hub in the global startup ecosystem.

The international network "GNETS," established by the metropolitan government to solve urban challenges, showcased its achievements from last year, including carbon emission reduction projects in Helsinki and blood risk management in Taiwan. The network also announced that this year, it will support startups addressing social issues in Jakarta and Malmö.

Gov. Koike mentioned an internship program that promotes interaction between overseas startups and students. This program has established a new "Startup Ambassador" system where Tokyo university students guide startup founders from abroad for several days, explaining Japanese business practices and Tokyo's business environment, and introducing potential business partners.

She also announced plans to expand short-term internships for Tokyo students at overseas startups, increasing the scale from 30 participants last year to about 100 this year. Through these initiatives, she indicated her intention to nurture young people with global perspectives who will address world challenges.

In her speech, Gov. Koike said that diversity is essential for innovation and emphasized women's empowerment. A session called "Empower Her Stage," scheduled for the second day, will tackle diversity, including women's advancement.

She also introduced how Tokyo has inherited the DNA of the circular economy that existed during the Edo period, suggesting that Tokyo's history can contribute to sustainable urban development. She suggested the potential for urban development that leverages this uniqueness.

"Tokyo, inheriting the DNA of Edo, has a significant advantage in creating the future. This is a strength not found anywhere else in the world,” Koike said. “Four hundred years ago, during the Edo period, Tokyo was already a pioneer of the circular society, cultivating wisdom to maximize the use of limited resources. The daily practice of what we now call the circular economy—including the reuse of wood and paper and the conversion of food waste into fertilizer—was deeply rooted in daily life.”

“By fusing this culture of sustainability with modern technology, Tokyo is in a unique position to create innovative solutions to environmental and energy challenges. We can present to the world a unique sustainable future city model that other cities do not have," Koike said.

On Tokyo's startup strategy, the "10×10×10 Innovation Vision," she reported that they have set goals to increase startups, unicorn companies, and public-private partnerships tenfold in five years, with public-private partnerships already achieving this goal in the first year. She also revealed that their $10 billion support plan over five years is progressing smoothly, with a budget of $900 million already allocated over the past three years.

Gov. Koike is actively working on building international networks. Last November, during her Middle East visit, she traveled to Egypt and the UAE to promote the technologies and potential of Japanese startups. In the UAE together with Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, she conducted high-level business meetings between Japanese companies and local entities in fields such as sustainability, water recycling, agricultural technology, and health technology.

Last month, she visited Paris and met with Japanese startups operating at "Station F," Europe's largest startup incubation facility. Recognizing the need for Tokyo's next steps through dialogue with global stakeholders, Koike announced a new initiative to "form a group of top-level startups with sustainable technologies and provide free support in areas such as human resources and funding."

In closing her speech, Gov. Koike outlined five initiatives that will accelerate startup growth into active global companies: creating bases for ecosystem players, promoting open innovation with large corporations, nationwide collaboration, global exchange, and hosting Asia's largest startup conference—they will continue efforts to quickly put startups on track to grow into globally active major companies.

Written by Masaru Ikeda

Edited by Desiderio Luna

Top photo: Masaru Ikeda

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