EU-JAPAN DIGITAL WEEK 2025

31 March - 7 April , 2025
Tokyo, Japan

The EU-Japan Digital Week is organised as part of the EU-Japan Digital Partnership

ABOUT
Overview

The EU-Japan Digital Week will bring together stakeholders from the EU and Japan to focus on key priority areas for both regions: 6G, Data Spaces, Smart Connectivity and Computing and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI), among others. A policy workshop will also be organised in close consultation with the Delegation of the European Union to Japan to ensure that it reflects the shared priority of both regions and aligns with the strategic objectives of the EU-Japan Digital Partnership.

With insightful workshops dedicated to Smart Connectivity and Computing, 6G Development, Policy, Trusted Data Exchanges, Data Spaces, and Trustworthy AI Applications, the event aims to foster dialogue between policymakers, industry leaders, and experts. 

By bringing together key stakeholders and facilitating discussions on these critical themes, the EU-Japan Digital Week aims to deepen EU-Japan collaboration and contribute to a more connected, innovative, and sustainable digital future.

Peter Fatelnig

Peter Fatelnig
Minister Counsellor for Digital Economy Policy
Delegation of the European Union to Japan

Peter Fatelnig

Peter Fatelnig
Minister Counsellor for Digital Economy Policy
Delegation of the EU to Japan

Audience

The EU-Japan Digital Week will bring together representatives from academia, research, industry, business and policymaking, mainly from Japan and the European Union, but also from other Indo-Pacific countries.

How to attend

Registration coming soon! Register here to be informed when the registration opens.

General contact

For inquiries: [email protected]

SCHEDULE
09:00-17:30 Japan Standard Time (JST)
Dr. Giacomo Inches

Dr. Giacomo Inches
Martel Innovate, Switzerland, in collaboration with NexusForum.EU project

Kiyoshi Murata

Prof. Kiyoshi Murata
Meiji University

The Smart Connectivity and Computing Workshop aims to bridge the gap between the European Union and Japan in the fields of cloud-edge computing and smart connectivity. This one-day, in-person event will bring together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from the EU and Japan to discuss the current landscape, share best practices, and explore collaboration opportunities in open-source technologies, industry verticals, and cross-cutting topics.  

Cloud Edge IoT experts and stakeholders, c.a. 150-200 attendees expected.

Identify and leverage new or existing collaboration opportunities in Cloud Edge IoT between EU Industries, researchers, policymakers and Japanese partners, laying the foundation for concrete pilot projects or research initiatives. Validate the roadmap developed by NexusForum.EU for the European Commission to incorporate feedback from Japanese stakeholders.

Agenda
09:00 – 09:30
Registration and Welcome Coffee

09:30 – 09:45

OPENING REMARKS

  • Welcome address by Meiji University representative
    Dr. Andrew Adams, Deputy Director, Centre for Business Information Ethics (CBIE), Meiji University
  • Introduction by NexusForum.EU Coordinator
    Maria-Angeliki Evliati, Senior Project Manager, RISE 
09:45 – 10:15

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Topic: “The Future of EU-Japan Collaboration in Smart Connectivity”

10:15 – 11:45

Session 1: Innovations in Japan’s Cloud-Edge Landscape

Moderator
Dr. Giacomo Inches, Senior Innovation Consultant, Martel Innovate

Presentations on latest developments and best practices in industries and academia, with a particular emphasis on the Japanese market, emphasising the role of open-source technologies.

  • Didier Navez
    Senior VP Data Policy & Governance, Dawex
  • Prof. Hidenori Nakazato
    Professor, Waseda University
  • Yuki Nobekawa
    COO, Japan Data Exchange
  • Dr. Kenji Hiramoto
    IT Promotion Agency (IPA), Japan
     
  • Dr. Kento Sato
    Team Leader, High Performance Big Data Research Team, RIKEN Centre for Computational Science / HANAMI Project
11:45 – 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00 – 13:30
Session 2: Advancing Cloud-Edge Computing Through Cross-Cutting Innovations

Moderator
Dr. Monique Calisti, CEO, Martel Innovate

Objective: Expert panel discussion on cross-cutting research topics and innovations that transcend specific industries, with an emphasis on open-source initiatives and collaborative efforts.
  • Endo Masato
    Toyota Motor Company 
  • Koki Mitani
    Senior Research Engineer, NTT
  • Prof. Noboru Koshizuka
    Professor and Director of the Open Data Center, Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo
  • Dónal O’Regan
    Strategic Policy and EU Project Manager, Fujitsu
13:30 – 14:30

Lunch Break

14:30 – 15:30

Session 3: Shaping the Future – NexusForum.EU Roadmap Presentation

Moderators

Objective: The Research & Innovation Roadmap, developed by NexusForum.EU for the European Commission, serves as a key guide for Europe’s Cognitive Computing Continuum, offering strategic direction to support the EU Cloud-Edge industry with essential R&D investments while promoting technological sovereignty. It integrates input from different sources and stakeholders like researchers, practitioners, associations, policymakers, and industry, while addressing all the transversal topics that play a significant role in the development of Europe’s Cognitive Computing Continuum, such as Sovereignty, Cybersecurity, Interoperability, Sustainability, and AI. 
The roadmap aligns with major European initiatives, such as the European Cloud Alliance and the key digital policy project Important Project of Common European Interest on Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI-CIS), focusing on critical areas like AI, cybersecurity, sustainability, and interoperability. Additionally, the roadmap fosters EU-Japan collaboration, opening doors for joint research and Cloud-Edge IoT projects, driving innovation and digital progress in both regions.
This session will present the Roadmap, highlight its key objectives, and gather feedback and input while engaging interested participants for future Working Groups and pilot projects centered on EU-Japan cooperation.

15:30 – 15:45
Coffee Break
15:45 – 17:15

Session 4: The EU-Japan Nexus

Moderator
Dr. Sachiko Muto, Senior Researcher, RISE

Objective: To highlight the existing policies, initiatives, and funding mechanisms that support and foster collaborations between the EU and Japan in the field of cloud-edge computing and smart connectivity via a panel discussion.

  • Dr. Monique Calisti
    CEO, Martel Innovate
  • Dr. Raluca Csernatoni
    Professor, Centre for Security, Diplomacy, and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
  • Prof. Florence Tama
    Team Leader, Computational Structural Biology Research Team, Nagoya University / HANAMI Project 
  • Ulrich Ahle
    CEO, GAIA-X (remote participation) 
17:15 – 17:30

Closing remarks

After 17:30

Informal Networking and Evening reception

Speakers
Dr. Andrew Adams
Dr. Andrew Adams
Deputy Director, Centre for Business Information Ethics (CBIE), Meiji University
Chiara Zincone
Chiara Zincone
EU Digital Policy Analyst, OpenNebula Systems
Didier Navez Dawex
Didier Navez
Senior VP Data Policy & Governance, Dawex
Dónal O’Regan
Dónal O’Regan
Strategic Policy and EU Project Manager, Fujitsu
Endo Masato
Endo Masato
Toyota Motor Company
Florence Tama
Prof. Florence Tama
Team Leader, Computational Structural Biology Research Team, Nagoya University/ HANAMI Project
Hidenori Nakazato
Prof. Hidenori Nakazato
Professor, Waseda University
Kento Sato
Dr. Kento Sato
Team Leader, High Performance Big Data Research Team, RIKEN Centre for Computational Science/HANAMI Project
Koki Mitani
Koki Mitani
Senior Research Engineer, NTT
Monique Calisti
Dr. Monique Calisti
CEO, Martel Innovate
Noburo Koshizuka
Prof. Noboru Koshizuka
Professor and Director of the Open Data Center, Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo
Dr. Raluca Csernatonia
Dr. Raluca Csernatoni
Professor, Centre for Security, Diplomacy, and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Sachiko Muto
Dr. Sachiko Muto
Senior Researcher, RISE
Thomas Ohlson Timoudas
Dr. Thomas Ohlson Timoudas
Researcher, RISE
Ulrich Ahle
Ulrich Ahle
CEO, GAIA-X
Yuki Nobekawa
Yuki Nobekawa
COO, Japan Data Exchange
09:00-18:00 Japan Standard Time (JST)
Adam Kapovits

Adam Kapovits
Eurescom, Germany

The workshop aims at fostering and deepening collaboration and partnership between the EU and Japan (and other Indo-Pacific countries) regarding 6G development.

6G experts, mostly from Japan. 60-80 participants are expected. 

The big question – and the ambition of the workshop – should be to explore whether we are correctly perceiving and assessing, and subsequently addressing and responding to the major trends, social and business needs from a broad set of industries in 6G research and development, considering the rapidly unfolding disruptive trends such as generative AI.

Agenda

09:00 – 09:30

REGISTRATION

09:30 – 09:50

Welcome and Opening address

  • Matsui Masayuki
    Director, Technology Policy Division, Global Strategy Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

09:50 – 10:50

Keynote contributions

  • Erzsébet Fitori
    Executive Director, Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking Office
  • Dr. Colin Willcock
    Chairman, 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association Governing Board
     
  • Prof. Akihiro Nakao
    University of Tokyo, co-chair of XGMF, leader of the ASPIRE and HARMONY projects
     

10:50 – 11:20

Break

11:20 – 13:00

Presentations and reports from European Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking activities

  • Dr. Szabolcs Malomsoky
    Head of Ericsson Research Japan, SNS JU project 6G MIRAI
     
  • Prof. Emilio Calvanese-Strinati
    Scientific and Innovation Director of Smart Devices, Telecommunications and Security, CEA-LETI, France, coordinator of the SNS JU project 6G ARROW
     
  • Dr. Alessandro Bassi
    Eurescom, SNS JU 
    project SUSTAIN 6G 
  • Prof. Alessandro Vanelli-Coralli
    University of Bologna, coordinator of the SNS JU project 6G-NTN
  • Dr. Monique Calisti
    Martel Innovate, coordinator of the SNS JU project 6G4Society

13:00 – 14:20

LUNCH BREAK

14:20 – 15:40

Presentations from Japanese collaboration activities with Europe and other countries, and what can be learnt from other collaborations

  • Dr. Kentaro Ishizu
    Director, Beyond 5G Design Initiative, NICT, Collaboration activities between Japan and Germany
  • Dr. Arthur Sona de Sena
    University of Oulu, Collaboration activities between Finland and Japan, and the Republic of Korea
  • Prof. HyeonWoo Lee
    Professor on Mobile System Engineering, DanKook University and vice chair of the Executive Committee of the 6G Forum Korea, Republic of Korea

15:40 – 16:10

Break

16:10 – 17:30

Industry views, challenges and collaboration opportunities

  • Dr. Takehiro Nakamura
    Chief Standardisation Officer, NTT DoCoMo, Japan
  • Koji Takeoka
    Toyota Motor Corporation
  • Dr. Ing. Marius Corici
    Deputy Head of the Software-based Networks Division, Fraunhofer FOKUS, Germany
  • Dr. Maria Guta 
    European Space Agency

17:30 – 18:00

Closing remarks

  • Prof. Akihiro Nakao
    University of Tokyo
  • Adam Kapovits
    Eurescom

18:00 – 19:30

Social networking standing reception

Agenda

Presentations / report from ongoing collaboration activities

Contributions from industry, challenges for 6G as perceived by industry, also presenting opportunities for joint investigation and solution

  • Collaboration opportunities regarding non-terrestrial networks between Japan and Europe
    ESA
  • Results from the European SNS JU research project 6G-NTN
    Professor Alessandro Vanelli-Coralli, ALMA MATER STUDIORUM, Università di Bologna
  • Developing a Holistic Sustainability Framework for Future Communication Systems – SUSTAIN-6G, the European sustainability lighthouse project
    Dr Alessandro Bassi, Eurescom GmbH
     
  • 6G standardisation challenges from a Japanese perspective
  • Core network and architecture issues and challenges
    Dr. Ing. Marius Corici, Fraunhofer FOKUS
  • European industry views regarding 6G challenges  
  • Japanese industry presentations, both from technology and solution providers, but also from industries using and relying on 6G

Pre-6G demo plans, what Europe can learn from Japan and the Republic of Korea, best practices

  • Research infrastructures for joint collaboration
  • Pre-6G demo plans concerning the Osaka expo
  • Korean presentation regarding the pre-6G demo plans for 2026
  • Panel discussion regarding what Europe can learn from Japanese (and Korean) approaches towards 6G R&D

Speakers
Adam Kapovits
Adam Kapovits
Program Manager, Eurescom, Germany
Akihiro Nakao
Prof. Akihiro Nakao
Head of Nakao-Lab, University of Tokyo, Japan, co-chair of the XG Mobile Promotion Forum (XGMF), Japan
Alessandro Bassi
Dr. Alessandro Bassi
Programme and Project Manager, Eurescom, Germany, SNS JU SUSTAIN 6G project
Alessandro-Vanelli-Coralli_
Prof. Alessandro Vanelli-Coralli
Full Professor, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Italy
Dr. Colin Willcock
Dr. Colin Willcock
Chairman, 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association Governing Board, Belgium
Erzsébet-Fitori
Erzsébet Fitori
Executive Director, Smart Networks Services Joint Undertaking Office
Emilio Calvanese-Strinati
Prof. Emilio Calvanese-Strinati
Scientific and Innovation Director, Smart Devices, Telecommunications and Security, CEA-Leti, France
Prof. HyeonWoo LEE
Prof. HyeonWoo Lee
Professor on Mobile System Engineering, DanKook University, vice chair of the Executive Committee of the 6G Forum Korea, Republic of Korea
Dr. Ing
Dr. Ing. Marius Corici
Deputy Head, Software-based Networks Division, Fraunhofer FOKUS, Germany
Dr. Kentaro Ishizu
Dr. Kentaro Ishizu
Director, Beyond 5G Design Initiative, NICT, Japan
Maria Guta
Dr. Maria Guta
European Space Agency
Monique Calisti
Dr. Monique Calisti
CEO, Martel Innovate, Switzerland
Szabolcs Malomsoky
Dr. Szabolcs Malomsoky
Head of Ericsson Research Japan
09:00-14:00 Japan Standard Time (JST)

Institute for Geoeconomics (IOG), Japan 

Dr. Kazuto Suzuki

Dr. Kazuto Suzuki
Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG)
, Japan

The EU-Japan Digital Partnership (DP), in force since 2023, underscores the shared commitment and political willingness of both partners to join forces on key areas, including semiconductors, AI, high-performance computing and quantum, Beyond 5G, data governance and Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT), digital connectivity platforms, and cybersecurity. To support the ongoing process, the workshop will address several critical questions: 
  • ‘Drivers of Technological Innovation, Economic Security, and Sovereignty’: How can the EU and Japan sustain their technological edge and sovereignty amidst the intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China?
  • ‘Emerging Technologies and Security Cooperation’: What role do dual use emerging and disruptive technologies play in shaping EU and Japan’s evolving security postures and bilateral cooperation?
  • ‘Domestic Challenges and Policy Coordination’:  What domestic priorities and challenges must be addressed to advance technological collaboration and digital connectivity?
  • ‘Promoting Global Governance’: How can the EU and Japan champion responsible, human-centred, and sustainable global governance frameworks bilaterally and within existing multilateral frameworks? 

This event will convene a balanced group of 30 to 40 representatives from the EU and Japan, including policymakers, academia, think tank experts, and industry leaders. The multi-stakeholder representation ensures diverse perspectives and practical insights into advancing digital cooperation and innovation.

The workshop will produce policy recommendations that emphasise the removal of political, regulatory, and technological barriers, reinforce multistakeholder engagement between the two partners, and promote responsible, human-centred global governance of digital emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs). These recommendations will serve as a roadmap for enhancing EU-Japan digital cooperation moving forward. 

Agenda
09:00 – 09:10

OPENING REMARKS

  • Kazuto Suzuki
    Director, Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG)
  • Eva Pejsova
    Japan Chair, CSDS
09:10 – 09:30

KEYNOTE REMARKS

  • Taro Kono
    Member, House of Representatives; Former Minister for Digital Transformation
  • Jean-Eric Paquet
    Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Japan
09:30 – 11:00
PANEL I – TOWARDS POLICY ALIGNMENT IN EMERGING AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES: AI, quantum, advanced semiconductors

Moderator
Kota Umeda, Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG)

  • Antonio Calcara
    Head of Technology and Geopolitics Programme, CSDS
  • Kazumi Nishikawa
    Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan
  • Hiroki Habuka
    Research Professor, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University; CEO, Smart Governance
  • Harald Kümmerle
    Principal Researcher, German Institute for Japanese Studies
  • Sebastien Lechevalier
    Professor, School of Advanced Studies of Social Sciences (EHESS)
11:00 – 11:30
Break
11:30 – 13:00

PANEL II – FROM SPACE TO UNDER THE SEA: CRITICAL DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY 

Moderator
Eva Pejsova, Japan Chair, CSDS

  • Raluca Csernatoni,
    Professor, Brussels School of Governance; Fellow, Carnegie Europe
  • Koichiro Komiyama,
    Deputy Director, Global Coordination Division, JPCERT/CC
  • Adam Kapovits,
    Program Manager, Eurescom
  • Mihoko Matsubara,
    Chief Cybersecurity Strategist, NTT Corporation
13:00 – 14:00
NETWORKING LUNCH

Speakers
Taro Kono
Taro Kono
Member, House of Representatives; Former Minister for Digital Transformation
Jean-Eric Paquet
Jean-Eric Paquet
Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Japan
Adam Kapovits
Adam Kapovits
Program Manager, Eurescom
Antonio Calcara
Antonio Calcara
Head of Technology and Geopolitics Programme, CSDS
Eva-Pejsova
Eva Pejsova
Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS), Belgium
Harald Kümmerle
Harald Kümmerle
Principal Researcher, German Institute for Japanese Studies
Hiroki Habuka
Hiroki Habuka
Research Professor, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University; CEO, Smart Governance
Kazumi-Nishikawa
Kazumi Nishikawa
Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan
Dr. Kazuto Suzuki
Kazuto Suzuki
Director, Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG)
Koichiro-Komiyama
Koichiro Komiyama
Deputy Director, Global Coordination Division, JPCERT/CC
Kota-Umdea
Kota Umeda
Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG)
Mihoko Matsubara
Mihoko Matsubara
Chief Cybersecurity Strategist, NTT Corporation
Dr. Raluca Csernatonia
Dr. Raluca Csernatoni
Professor, Centre for Security, Diplomacy, and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Sébastien LECHEVALIER
Sebastien Lechevalier
Visiting Researcher, German Institute for Japanese Studies

Participants will include high-level representatives from the EU and Japanese research institutions, government agencies, think tanks, and industry leaders.  

14:00-18:00 Japan Standard Time (JST)

Institute for Geoeconomics (IOG), Japan 

Franck Le Gall

Dr. Franck Le Gall
EGM 

This workshop aims to explore practical implementation of trusted data exchanges, supporting the Memorandum of Cooperation on digital identities and trust services signed between the EU and Japan. This initiative builds on commitments made at the G7 Hiroshima 2023, where the Institutional Arrangement for Partnership (IAP) was endorsed to operationalise Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT). In 2024, the OECD released the G7 Mapping Exercise of Digital Identity Approaches, analysing commonalities between different frameworks, including those of the EU and Japan, and calling for pilot projects to test key standards.

Key Objectives of the Session: 

  • Examine the adoption of key standards for cross-border data exchange (tourism, environmental monitoring, foreign companies involvement, etc.) 
  • Facilitate discussions on ongoing initiatives aligning with the global shift towards data spaces and digital transformation, with a particular emphasis on crisis and disaster management. 
  • Bridge European and Japanese approaches to trusted data exchanges by fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing in a pilot project to be outlined.

This workshop will engage a diverse audience, including:

  • Policy Makers: From both Europe and Japan, focusing on data exchange, digital transformation, and international collaboration.
  • Industry Experts: Specifically, those working in the domains of urban data management, IoT, cybersecurity, digital identity management, and digital infrastructure.
  • Academia: Researchers and Scholars working on urban informatics, semantic technologies, risk and disaster management.
  • Technologists & Developers: Building platforms, tools, and solutions that support data exchange.
  • Public Sector Officials: From public authorities who are driving the implementation of secure and trustworthy data exchange frameworks.
  • Identification of Key Challenges: Highlight the practical challenges and barriers in the adoption of standards for trusted data exchanges. 
  • Collaboration Framework: Lay the foundation for future collaboration between Europe and Japan in the development and deployment of pilot projects related to data spaces and semantic interoperability. 
  • Actionable Insights for Pilot Projects: Provide concrete examples and lessons learned from current pilots in both Europe and Japan, offering participants guidance on how to initiate and scale trusted data exchange pilots in their cities. 
  • Policy Recommendations: Deliver a set of policy recommendations for aligning efforts on digital identity frameworks, semantic interoperability, and data governance. 

Agenda

14:00 – 14:15

Welcome

  • Franck Le Gall
    EGM

14:15 – 15:15

KEYNOTE REMARKS

Presenting the consensus-driven data regulations in Japan, based on soft regulation and aiming to strike the balance between privacy concerns and commercial and public interests in the usage of data

  • Harald Kümmerle
    German Institute for Japanese Studies (Japan)

SharIing thoughts and the current situation in Japan, where there’s a policy to develop data integration platform as a public asset

  • Murakami Keisuke
    Digital Agency Director-General for Public Service Group (Japan)

Open-discussion

15:15 – 16:45

Requirements and standards for data trusted exchanges

Presenting the recent ETSI Technical Committee on Data solution, gathering ETSI forces, to support the deployment and operation of distributed solutions for data collection, integration, sharing and management, including security
  • Diego R. Lopez
    Telefonica (Spain)  

Introducing the role of NGSI-LD in enabling flexible and interoperable data exchanges across domains including handling of provenance information
  • Martin Bauer
    NEC Laboratories (Germany) 

Digital identifiers for citizens and legal entities

Requirements for trusted data management exchange in the context of risk and disaster management 

  • Digital Agency
    Japan

From the presentations, identification of the data exchange points where cross-border technical interconnection should primarily be demonstrated

  • Moderated-discussion

16:45 – 17:15

Networking coffee/tea break

17:15 – 18:00

Moving to action

Sharing insights into FIWARE’s role in promoting open standards for trusted data exchange platforms. Presentation of the reference implementation initiative

  • Chandra Challagonda
    FIWARE (Germany)  

Introducing the role iHub Base to support training and workshops for entrepreneurs and engineers who aim to develop connected services

  • Yasunori Mochizuki
    iHub Base (Japan)
Identification of actual cooperation directions to support establishment of cross-border trusted data exchanges pilots
  • Brainstorming session

Speakers
Unknown
Murakami Keisuke
Digital Agency Director, General for Public Service Group, Japan
Chandra-Challagonda
Chandra Challagonda
CEO, FIWARE, Germany
Diego Lopez
Diego R. Lopez
Senior Technology Expert, Telefonica, Spain – ETSI TC Data
Harald Kümmerle
Harald Kümmerle
Principal Researcher, German Institute for Japanese Studies, Japan
Martin Bauer
Martin Bauer
Principal Standardization Engineer, NEC – ETSI NGSI-LD
Mochizuki Yasunori
Yasunori Mochizuki
NEC Fellow, iHub Base, Japan
09:00-19:00 Japan Standard Time (JST)
Antonis Ramfos

Dr. Antonis Ramfos
Athens Technology Center, Greece

Europa House, 4-6-28 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047

The objectives of the workshop are to introduce participants to the concept of data spaces, their architecture, stakeholders, and role in digital transformation, with a focus on addressing interoperability challenges. It aims to explore business models for data spaces, highlighting best practices and successful case studies. The workshop will discuss regulatory and ethical considerations for data sharing, emphasising trust, standardisation, and governance of data flows between EU and Japanese data spaces. It will also provide practical guidance on interoperability, encouraging joint EU-Japan pilot projects. Finally, the workshop seeks to foster EU-Japan collaboration and facilitate cross-border networking among industry, manufacturing, and technology leaders.

The target audience includes industry leaders, decision-makers, data scientists, IT professionals, business strategists, consultants, regulatory officers, academics, researchers, and government officials from the EU and Japan. Key participants also include representatives from initiatives and projects like Catena-X, Manufacturing-X, AgDataHub, and Green Deal Data Space, as well as organisations such as IDSA, GAIA-X, DSA, DSSC, RRI, IPA, and JEITA. The event aims to attract an audience of 130.

The expected outcomes include an enhanced understanding of data spaces and their implementation, knowledge of business models in the EU and Japan, and awareness of regulatory and standards considerations for data sharing. Participants will gain insights from demonstrations of implemented data spaces and practical guidance on establishing joint data spaces within organisations. Additionally, the workshop aims to scope pilot projects and foster cross-border collaboration and networking among data space stakeholders.

Agenda

In the era of digital transformation, the efficient and secure sharing of data is critical for innovation, competitiveness and fostering a circular economy. Data spaces provide a robust legal and technical framework for such data sharing, enabling organisations to leverage data for strategic advantage and improved decision-making.

DAY 1: Data Spaces: Implementation, Business, and Regulatory Considerations
09:00 – 09:30
Registration and Welcome Coffee
09:30 – 10:00
Opening Remarks and Workshop Overview
  • Thomas Gnocchi
    Minister / Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Japan
  • Makoto Kuroyabu
    Counsellor, International Strategy / Data Strategy, Digital Agency
  • Antonis Ramfos
    INPACE project
10:00 – 11:00

Keynote Speech: The Role of Data Spaces in the Digital and Circular Economy

  • Data Spaces in the EU
    Chandra Challagonda, CEO, FIWARE
  • Data Spaces in Japan
    Yuki Sakamoto, Deputy Director, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
11:00 – 12:30

Session 1: Data Spaces – Implementation

  • Data Spaces Support Centre and its role in the EU
    Tuomo Tuikka, DSSC, Technical Board Member, Big Data Value Association (BDVA)
  • Data Spaces in Japan, DATA-EX
    Prof. Noboru Koshizuka, Professor and Director of the Open Data Center, Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo
  • Building Ecosystem and Interoperability among Data Spaces
    Chiseki Sagawa, Deputy Director General, Digital Architecture Design Center, Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA)
  • OSS reference implementations
    Teruyoshi Fujiwara, Chairperson, Automotive and Battery Traceability Center Association, Inc. (ABtC)
12:30 – 13:30

Lunch Break

13:30 – 15:00

Session 2: Data Spaces – Value Creation

  • Overview of real market for data spaces and the areas where organisations are expected to create value
    Nuria De Lama Sanchez, Consulting Director, IDC
  • Sectors promising to lead collaboration (textile, batteries, automotive, telco)
    Dónal O’Regan, Strategic Policy and EU Project Manager, Fujitsu, CIRPASS2
    Teruyoshi Fujiwara, Chairperson, Automotive and Battery Traceability Center Association (ABtC)
    Kentaro Blumenstengel, Executive Officer, General Manager, Product Sales Coordination, DMG MORI
    Koki Mitani, Senior Research Engineer, NTT, IDSA Ambassador
15:00 – 15:30

Coffee Break

15:30 – 17:00

Session 3: Regulatory Landscape for Data Free Flow with Trust

  • The EU Data Strategy with a focus on the Data Act
    Didier Navez,
    Senior VP Data Policy & Governance, Dawex
  • Regulatory Landscape of DPP
    Dónal O’Regan, Strategic Policy and EU Project Manager, Fujitsu
  • ETSI standardisation fostering data flow with trust
    Diego R. Lopez, Senior Technology Expert, Telefonica
17:30 – 19:00

Networking Cocktail

DAY 2: Towards Interoperable Data Spaces – Practical Considerations
09:00 – 09:30

“Cooking with Ulrich – A recipe for how to get started and make data spaces a success

  • Ulrich Ahle 
    CEO, GAIA-X 
09:30 – 11:00

Session 4: Challenges and Experiences of Interoperable Data Spaces 

  • Data Spaces Interoperability Challenges and Solutions
    Satoshi Tsuchiya, Senior Director, Strategic Planning Unit, Fujitsu
  • Cybersecurity Challenges in Data Spaces
    Wolfgang Peter Klasen, Senior Security Advisor, Siemens AG, Foundational Technologies Research & Predevelopment
  • Open Standards/Open Source in Data Spaces Interoperation
    Dr. Sachiko Muto, Chair, OpenForum Europe
  • Experience from implementing an EU-Japan cross-data space case study
    Martin Bauer, Principal Standardization Engineer, NEC
11:00 – 11:30

Coffee break

11:30 – 13:00

Panel Discussion: Opportunities for Joint Data Spaces: how to incentivise data sharing among companies and stakeholders in complex value chains? 

PANELISTS:

  • Dónal O’Regan
    Strategic Policy and EU Project Manager, Fujitsu
  • Wolfgang Peter Klasen
    Senior Security Advisor, Siemens AG, Foundational Technologies Research & Predevelopment
  • Prof. Noboru Koshizuka
    Professor and Director of the Open Data Center, Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo
  • Alessandro Canepa
    R&D Manager, Fratelli Piacenza
  • Koki Mitani
    Senior Research Engineer, NTT, IDSA Ambassador
13:00 – 14:00

Lunch break

14:00 – 15:30

Interactive Workshop: Designing joint EU-Japan Data Space pilot project(s)

  • Group activity and case study analysis 
  • Presentation of group findings 
  • Follow-up actions 

MODERATORS

  • Dónal O’Regan
    Fujitsu, CIRPASS 2
  • Alessandro Canepa
    sm4rtenance
  • Kentaro Blumenstengel
    DMG MORI
  • Wolfgang Peter Klasen
    Trust Anchor

15:30 – 16:00

COFFEE BREAK

16:00 – 17:00

Future Trends and Innovations in Data Spaces – What will the future look like?

  • EU Research Priorities
    Tuomo Tuikka, Technical Board Member,
    Big Data Value Association (BDVA) 
  • Japan Research and Innovation Priorities
  • Moderated discussion with the audience to collect views and predictions

THURSDAY April 3 – FRIDAY APRIL 4
Opening Remarks and Workshop Overview
Thomas Gnocchi
Thomas Gnocchi
Minister / Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Japan
Speakers
sm4rtenance
Alessandro Canepa
sm4rtenance
Chandra-Challagonda
Chandra Challagonda
CEO, FIWARE
Chiseki Sagawa
Chiseki Sagawa
Deputy Director General, Digital Architecture Design Center, Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA)
Didier Navez Dawex
Didier Navez
Senior VP Data Policy & Governance, Dawex
Diego Lopez
Diego R. Lopez
Senior Technology Expert, Telefonica
Dónal O’Regan
Dónal O’Regan
Strategic Policy and EU Project Manager, Fujitsu
Kentaro-Blumenstengel
Kentaro Blumenstengel
Executive Officer, General Manager, Product Sales Coordination, DMG MORI
Koki Mitani
Koki Mitani
Senior Research Engineer, NTT, IDSA Ambassador
Martin Bauer
Martin Bauer
Principal Standardization Engineer, NEC
Noburo Koshizuka
Prof. Noboru Koshizuka
Professor and Director of the Open Data Center, Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo
Nuria-de-Lama-Sanchez
Nuria De Lama Sanchez
Consulting Director, IDC
Sachiko Muto
Dr. Sachiko Muto
Chair, OpenForum Europe
Tsuchiya Satoshi
Satoshi Tsuchiya
Senior Director, Strategic Planning Unit, Fujitsu
Fujiwara Teruyosh
Teruyoshi Fujiwara
Chairperson, Automotive and Battery Traceability Center Association (ABtC)
Tuomo-Tuikka
Tuomo Tuikka
DSSC, Technical Board Member
Big Data Value Association (BDVA)
Ulrich Ahle
Ulrich Ahle
CEO, GAIA-X
Klasen-Wolfgang
Wolfgang Peter Klasen
Senior Security Advisor, Siemens AG, Foundational Technologies Research & Predevelopment
Yuki Sakamoto
Yuki Sakamoto
Deputy Director, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
09:30-18:15 Japan Standard Time (JST)
Sebastian Engell

Prof. Sebastian Engell
TU Dortmund (Germany) and ENRICH Global (France)

Liro-Harjunkoski

Prof. Iiro Harjunkoski
Aalto University (Finland) and Hitachi Energy Europe

Nobuo Nukaga

Nobuo Nukaga
Hitachi Research and Development (Japan)

Hitachi Head Office at Nippon Seimei Marunouchi Building, 23rd floor, 1-6-6 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005

To exchange on good practices and challenges in the development of AI applications where reliable and highly accurate functioning is critical due to the potential for severe consequences in case of failure. These applications, found in sectors such as transportation systems, industrial production, and digital healthcare, require AI systems to operate with extremely high reliability to prevent accidents, patient harm, or significant financial losses. The workshop will explore how to ensure robustness, safety, and trustworthiness in such critical AI systems.

Developers of AI solutions, methods and tools in areas such as industrial production, robotics, cars, trains, healthcare systems.

Understanding of the state of the art and open issues in the development of critical AI solutions, information on the EU’s AI Act, triggering collaborations, input to shaping future funding programs in Europe and Japan.

Agenda

09:30 – 10:00

Arrival and refreshments

10:00 – 10:30

Opening

  • Welcome and presentation of the INPACE Project
    Prof. Sebastian Engell, TU Dortmund and ENRICH GLOBAL
  • Welcome address from Hitachi Ltd.
  • Welcome address from the Japan AI Safety Institute (AISI)
    Mirai Odagiri, Deputy Secretary General, Japan AI Safety Institute (AISI)

10:30 – 12:30

Session 1: Transportation Systems and Health Care

How Hitachi is using AI in its Social Innovation Business  

  • Nobuo Nukaga
    Hitachi R&D, Advanced Artificial Intelligence
    Innovation Center, Japan

Safety assurance of a driverless regional train 

  • Dr. Marc Zeller
    Siemens AG, Germany

Search-based approaches to enhancing safety of autonomous driving system

  • Fuyuki Ishikawa
    National Institute of Informatics and Sokendai
    University, Japan 

Challenges for AI applications in intensive care medicine

  • Dr. André Stollenwerk

    Embedded Systems Institute, RWTH Aachen, Germany

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch

13:30 – 15:30

Session 2: AI in Industrial Automation 

AI/ML-enabled digital transformation of Japan’s process industries

  • Prof. Manabu Kano
    Department of Informatics, Kyoto University, Japan

Critical applications of AI in the metals and steel industry

  • Prof. Valentina Colla
    Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Italy

OT x AI safety approaches in Hitachi

  • Dr. Satoshi Otsuka
    Hitachi R&D, Mobility and Automation Innovation Center, Japan

AI for the automation of industrial processes

  • Dr. Martin Hollender
    ABB Corporate Research Center, Germany

15:30 – 16:00

Coffee Break

16:00 – 17:00

Panel Discussion: Methods and regulations for the development of critical AI applications and potential for EU-Japan collaboration

Chair: Prof. Iiro Harjunkoski
Aalto University and Hitachi Energy

17:00 – 17:10

Closure

  • Prof. Sebastian Engell
    TU Dortmund
  • Nobua Nukaga 
    Hitachi R&D

17:10 – 18:15

Reception and Bilateral Discussions

Speakers
Fuyuki-Ishikawa
Fuyuki Ishikawa
National Institute of Informatics and Sokendai University, Japan
Nobuo Nukaga
Nobuo Nukaga
Hitachi R&D, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center, Japan
Marc Zeller
Dr. Marc Zeller
Siemens AG, Germany
Manabu Kano
Prof. Manabu Kano
Department of Informatics, Kyoto University, Japan
Martin Hollender
Dr. Martin Hollender
ABB Corporate Research Center, Germany
Mirai Odagiri
Mirai Odagiri
Deputy Secretary General, Japan AI Safety Institute (AISI), Japan
Satoshi-Otsuka
Dr. Satoshi Otsuka
Hitachi R&D, Mobility and Automation Innovation Center, Japan
Valentina-Colla
Prof. Valentina Colla
Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Italy
André-Stollenwerk
Dr. André Stollenwerk
Embedded Systems Institute, RWTH Aachen, Germany

SPEAKERS

Monday, 31 March
“Smart Connectivity and Computing” Workshop
Dr. Andrew Adams
Dr. Andrew Adams
Deputy Director, Centre for Business Information Ethics (CBIE), Meiji University
Chiara Zincone
Chiara Zincone
EU Digital Policy Analyst, OpenNebula Systems
Didier Navez Dawex
Didier Navez
Senior VP Data Policy & Governance, Dawex
Dónal O’Regan
Dónal O’Regan
Strategic Policy and EU Project Manager, Fujitsu
Endo Masato
Endo Masato
Toyota Motor Company
Florence Tama
Prof. Florence Tama
Team Leader, Computational Structural Biology Research Team, Nagoya University/ HANAMI Project
Hidenori Nakazato
Prof. Hidenori Nakazato
Professor, Waseda University
Kento Sato
Dr. Kento Sato
Team Leader, High Performance Big Data Research Team, RIKEN Centre for Computational Science/HANAMI Project
Koki Mitani
Koki Mitani
Senior Research Engineer, NTT
Monique Calisti
Dr. Monique Calisti
CEO, Martel Innovate
Noburo Koshizuka
Prof. Noboru Koshizuka
Professor and Director of the Open Data Center, Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo
Dr. Raluca Csernatonia
Dr. Raluca Csernatoni
Professor, Centre for Security, Diplomacy, and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Sachiko Muto
Dr. Sachiko Muto
Senior Researcher, RISE
Thomas Ohlson Timoudas
Dr. Thomas Ohlson Timoudas
Researcher, RISE
Ulrich Ahle
Ulrich Ahle
CEO, GAIA-X
Yuki Nobekawa
Yuki Nobekawa
COO, Japan Data Exchange
Tuesday, 1 April
“6G Horizons: Synergies for a Connected Future” Workshop
Adam Kapovits
Adam Kapovits
Program Manager, Eurescom, Germany
Akihiro Nakao
Prof. Akihiro Nakao
Head of Nakao-Lab, University of Tokyo, Japan, co-chair of the XG Mobile Promotion Forum (XGMF), Japan
Alessandro Bassi
Dr. Alessandro Bassi
Programme and Project Manager, Eurescom, Germany, SNS JU SUSTAIN 6G project
Alessandro-Vanelli-Coralli_
Prof. Alessandro Vanelli-Coralli
Full Professor, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna, Italy
Dr. Colin Willcock
Dr. Colin Willcock
Chairman, 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association Governing Board, Belgium
Erzsébet-Fitori
Erzsébet Fitori
Executive Director, Smart Networks Services Joint Undertaking Office
Emilio Calvanese-Strinati
Prof. Emilio Calvanese-Strinati
Scientific and Innovation Director, Smart Devices, Telecommunications and Security, CEA-Leti, France
Prof. HyeonWoo LEE
Prof. HyeonWoo Lee
Professor on Mobile System Engineering, DanKook University, vice chair of the Executive Committee of the 6G Forum Korea, Republic of Korea
Dr. Ing
Dr. Ing. Marius Corici
Deputy Head, Software-based Networks Division, Fraunhofer FOKUS, Germany
Dr. Kentaro Ishizu
Dr. Kentaro Ishizu
Director, Beyond 5G Design Initiative, NICT, Japan
Maria Guta
Dr. Maria Guta
European Space Agency
Monique Calisti
Dr. Monique Calisti
CEO, Martel Innovate, Switzerland
Szabolcs Malomsoky
Dr. Szabolcs Malomsoky
Head of Ericsson Research Japan
Wednesday, 2 April
Closed-door Policy Workshop: “The EU – Japan Digital Partnership: Going Forward”
Taro Kono
Taro Kono
Member, House of Representatives; Former Minister for Digital Transformation
Jean-Eric Paquet
Jean-Eric Paquet
Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Japan
Adam Kapovits
Adam Kapovits
Program Manager, Eurescom
Antonio Calcara
Antonio Calcara
Head of Technology and Geopolitics Programme, CSDS
Eva-Pejsova
Eva Pejsova
Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS), Belgium
Harald Kümmerle
Harald Kümmerle
Principal Researcher, German Institute for Japanese Studies
Hiroki Habuka
Hiroki Habuka
Research Professor, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University; CEO, Smart Governance
Kazumi-Nishikawa
Kazumi Nishikawa
Principal Director, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan
Dr. Kazuto Suzuki
Kazuto Suzuki
Director, Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG)
Koichiro-Komiyama
Koichiro Komiyama
Deputy Director, Global Coordination Division, JPCERT/CC
Kota-Umdea
Kota Umeda
Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG)
Mihoko Matsubara
Mihoko Matsubara
Chief Cybersecurity Strategist, NTT Corporation
Dr. Raluca Csernatonia
Dr. Raluca Csernatoni
Professor, Centre for Security, Diplomacy, and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Sébastien LECHEVALIER
Sebastien Lechevalier
Visiting Researcher, German Institute for Japanese Studies
Wednesday, 2 April
“Trusted Data Exchanges: From Standards to Pilots in a Changing World” Workshop
Unknown
Murakami Keisuke
Digital Agency Director, General for Public Service Group, Japan
Chandra-Challagonda
Chandra Challagonda
CEO, FIWARE, Germany
Diego Lopez
Diego R. Lopez
Senior Technology Expert, Telefonica, Spain – ETSI TC Data
Harald Kümmerle
Harald Kümmerle
Principal Researcher, German Institute for Japanese Studies, Japan
Martin Bauer
Martin Bauer
Principal Standardization Engineer, NEC – ETSI NGSI-LD
Mochizuki Yasunori
Yasunori Mochizuki
NEC Fellow, iHub Base, Japan
THURSDAY, 3 April – FRIDAY, 4 APRIL
“Data Spaces – or the Story How to Make Business from Data in a Legal Fashion” Workshop
Opening Remarks and Workshop Overview
Thomas Gnocchi
Thomas Gnocchi
Minister / Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Japan
Speakers
sm4rtenance
Alessandro Canepa
sm4rtenance
Chandra-Challagonda
Chandra Challagonda
CEO, FIWARE
Chiseki Sagawa
Chiseki Sagawa
Deputy Director General, Digital Architecture Design Center, Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA)
Didier Navez Dawex
Didier Navez
Senior VP Data Policy & Governance, Dawex
Diego Lopez
Diego R. Lopez
Senior Technology Expert, Telefonica
Dónal O’Regan
Dónal O’Regan
Strategic Policy and EU Project Manager, Fujitsu
Kentaro-Blumenstengel
Kentaro Blumenstengel
Executive Officer, General Manager, Product Sales Coordination, DMG MORI
Koki Mitani
Koki Mitani
Senior Research Engineer, NTT, IDSA Ambassador
Martin Bauer
Martin Bauer
Principal Standardization Engineer, NEC
Noburo Koshizuka
Prof. Noboru Koshizuka
Professor and Director of the Open Data Center, Interdisciplinary Information Studies, The University of Tokyo
Nuria-de-Lama-Sanchez
Nuria De Lama Sanchez
Consulting Director, IDC
Sachiko Muto
Dr. Sachiko Muto
Chair, OpenForum Europe
Tsuchiya Satoshi
Satoshi Tsuchiya
Senior Director, Strategic Planning Unit, Fujitsu
Fujiwara Teruyosh
Teruyoshi Fujiwara
Chairperson, Automotive and Battery Traceability Center Association (ABtC)
Tuomo-Tuikka
Tuomo Tuikka
DSSC, Technical Board Member
Big Data Value Association (BDVA)
Ulrich Ahle
Ulrich Ahle
CEO, GAIA-X
Klasen-Wolfgang
Wolfgang Peter Klasen
Senior Security Advisor, Siemens AG, Foundational Technologies Research & Predevelopment
Yuki Sakamoto
Yuki Sakamoto
Deputy Director, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
Monday, 7 April
“Critical Applications of AI in Industry, Healthcare and Other Sectors” Workshop
Fuyuki-Ishikawa
Fuyuki Ishikawa
National Institute of Informatics and Sokendai University, Japan
Nobuo Nukaga
Nobuo Nukaga
Hitachi R&D, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center, Japan
Marc Zeller
Dr. Marc Zeller
Siemens AG, Germany
Manabu Kano
Prof. Manabu Kano
Department of Informatics, Kyoto University, Japan
Martin Hollender
Dr. Martin Hollender
ABB Corporate Research Center, Germany
Mirai Odagiri
Mirai Odagiri
Deputy Secretary General, Japan AI Safety Institute (AISI), Japan
Satoshi-Otsuka
Dr. Satoshi Otsuka
Hitachi R&D, Mobility and Automation Innovation Center, Japan
Valentina-Colla
Prof. Valentina Colla
Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Italy
André-Stollenwerk
Dr. André Stollenwerk
Embedded Systems Institute, RWTH Aachen, Germany

ORGANISERS

The EU-Japan Digital Week is an initiative under the EU-Japan Digital Partnership and is supported by the following projects and organisations