Tokyo Declared the Most Important Tech Destination of 2026

Most tech conferences have themes, often so broad they signify little. SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 takes a different approach with four sharply focused technology domains, each backed by live demonstrations, dedicated exhibit floors, and sessions led by the people who are actually building and funding these technologies across the globe.

TechCrunch has partnered with SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 as an official media partner. Our Startup Battlefield team will be on the ground selecting one standout semifinalist from the SusHi Tech Challenge, who will then advance to the TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield 200 — one of the most prestigious launchpads in tech. Here is what you will find on the floor.

AI — Moving Beyond Hype to Infrastructure

Sessions featuring Howard Wright (Nvidia), Rob Chu (AWS), and Eric Benhamou (Benhamou Global Ventures) cut through the noise to explore where AI is genuinely deployed at scale and where the real risks lie. On the exhibit floor, AI-focused university startups pitch alongside global industry players, while the AI Film Festival Japan — a partner event at Tokyo Innovation Base in Yurakucho — examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping culture in real time.

Robotics — Physical AI Has Arrived

The robots at SusHi Tech are not behind glass — they are on the floor and interactive. Onstage, Nissan, Isuzu, and Applied Intuition’s Qasar Younis discuss how software-defined vehicles are transforming transportation. Physical AI is not a futuristic concept; it lands in Tokyo on April 27.

Resilience — Building Cities That Withstand What’s Ahead

Eva Chen (Trend Micro) and NEC’s Noboru Nakatani address cyber defense, while leading climate tech investors from Breakthrough Energy and Cleantech Group analyze where global capital is heading. A VR disaster simulator and guided tours of Tokyo’s underground flood-control infrastructure bring the stakes into sharp, tangible focus.

Entertainment — Japan’s Cultural Powerhouse Meets AI

Sessions featuring the CEOs of Production I.G, MAPPA, and CoMix Wave Films explore what it will take for Tokyo to become the Hollywood of animation. On the floor, startups deploy AI to translate manga for global audiences, generate music from text prompts, and transform Japanese intellectual property into anime for worldwide distribution.

Can’t Make It to Tokyo? You Can Still Be There

Missing SusHi Tech Tokyo does not have to mean missing out. Remote attendees get more than a livestream — on-site staff will walk the floor on your behalf, carrying a device that displays your face, allowing you to interact with other attendees and exhibitors face-to-face in real time. It is the closest thing to being there in person.

Note: Some sessions may not be available for viewing.

Apply for remote participation with on-site staff support here.

Can’t do that either? Ticket holders can stream sessions online and access the programming from anywhere. Browse the full session list here.

Alongside the startup event, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government hosts a meeting of leaders from 55 cities across five continents. They will discuss the theme “A New Urban Future Built on Climate and Disaster Resilience.” This city leaders’ summit is part of G-NETS (Global City Network for Sustainability), organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government since 2022 as a multi-city forum for solving common challenges — now with a focus on urban climate disaster resilience and citizen well-being. The summit is available for public viewing on YouTube in real time and after the event.

G-NETS official website

G-NETS YouTube Channel

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 takes place April 27–29 at Tokyo Big Sight. Business days are April 27–28; the public day (free admission) is April 29. Register here.