The second EU-Japan Digital Week will kick off next week in Tokyo, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and innovators from Europe, Japan, and the wider Indo-Pacific region to deepen cooperation on the future of digital technologies. As the annual flagship event of the EU-Japan Digital Partnership, the week-long programme aims to accelerate collaboration in emerging technologies and strengthen digital cooperation between the European Union and Japan. The partnership, launched in 2022 under ministerial leadership, is designed as a flexible framework that goes beyond dialogue to deliver concrete outcomes supporting a secure, resilient, and human-centric digital economy.
Building on a successful first edition
The inaugural EU-Japan Digital Week, held from 31 March to 7 April 2025 in Tokyo, gathered more than 400 participants representing governments, industry, academia, and research organisations. Discussions centred on key technological areas such as 6G, data spaces, smart connectivity and computing, and trustworthy artificial intelligence.
The 2026 edition aims to build on that momentum with a broader focus on emerging and disruptive technologies, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, and high-performance computing (HPC). Participants will also address challenges linked to digital infrastructure resilience, standardisation, and cross-border interoperability.
Through thematic workshops, high-level dialogues, and capacity-building sessions, the event will explore opportunities for joint research and innovation, while aligning policies and standards to support a trusted global digital ecosystem.
Hackathon to advance trusted digital infrastructure
Ahead of the main programme, innovators will gather in Tokyo on 20 March for the 2026 Hackathon on Interoperability of Digital Public Infrastructure. The competition invites cross-regional teams from the EU, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific to design prototypes that bridge the European Digital Identity (EUDI) framework with Japan’s digital identity ecosystem and other foundational systems such as MOSIP. Participants will work with a managed dataspace testbed pre-configured with Gaia-X and NGSI-LD connectors, enabling them to tackle complex challenges around cross-border identity and data sovereignty. Supported by technical experts, the winning teams will earn the opportunity to present their solutions at the final INPACE event in Brussels in 2027.
Spotlight on semiconductors and enabling technologies
A two-day Semiconductor Workshop starting on 24 March will focus on the INPACE cluster dedicated to “Enabling technologies – Chips for the future.” The workshop will address challenges across the semiconductor value chain, from energy-efficient electronics and advanced logic devices to heterogeneous 3D integration and novel functionalities such as smart sensing, energy harvesting, and cryoelectronics for quantum engineering.
Experts from European and Japanese institutions will examine opportunities to strengthen cooperation on semiconductor innovation and address gaps in the global supply chain. Speakers include representatives from the European Commission, research organisations, and Japanese ministries.
Strengthening cooperation on emerging technologies
Another policy workshop will explore EU-Japan cooperation on emerging and disruptive technologies and critical infrastructure. Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and accelerating digital transformation, the session will examine how both sides can deepen collaboration in fields such as AI, quantum computing, and advanced semiconductor technologies while safeguarding infrastructure like undersea cables and satellite networks.
Participants will discuss mechanisms for joint research and development, trusted connectivity frameworks, and standards alignment to support a rules-based and resilient digital ecosystem.
Standards, research collaboration and digital diplomacy
The programme also features a session organised by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) on how European and Japanese standard-development organisations can support the EU-Japan Digital Partnership.
Additional highlights include:
- A technology business exchange exploring complementary digital solutions from EU and Japanese companies and opportunities for joint market expansion.
- A session on Japan’s association to Horizon Europe, highlighting new opportunities for deeper research and innovation collaboration.
- A half-day AI4Good scientific exchange focusing on high-performance computing cooperation between Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer and Europe’s Jupiter system to support AI-driven solutions for climate and health challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- A closed ICT Stakeholder Roundtable organised by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).
- A final panel at the EU Delegation in Tokyo on digital and technology diplomacy and opportunities for strengthening partnerships between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
About INPACE
The INPACE initiative will play a key role throughout the week, facilitating networking sessions and contributing to discussions on advanced technologies, digital infrastructures, and international cooperation. By bringing together stakeholders from Europe and the Indo-Pacific, INPACE supports the broader goals of the EU-Japan Digital Partnership to foster trusted digital ecosystems and collaborative innovation.
Why participate
For participants, EU-Japan Digital Week offers a unique opportunity to:
- Engage directly with policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers from both regions
- Discover new opportunities for EU-Japan research collaboration and innovation projects
- Explore cutting-edge developments in AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and HPC
- Build partnerships that support secure and interoperable digital infrastructures across regions
With its mix of high-level dialogue, technical workshops, and networking opportunities, the 2026 edition is set to further strengthen EU-Japan digital cooperation and advance a shared vision for a secure and inclusive digital future. Registration remains open for participants interested in joining the discussions in Tokyo.
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