Over one transformative week, SPARK gathered senior leaders from across Asia to explore Tokyo’s most innovative ecosystems, spanning robotics, AI, digital government, sustainable design, and next-generation infrastructure.
From our opening at the Tokyo Innovation Base (TiB), hosted with Plug and Play Japan and the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Japan, to powerful conversations with industry trailblazers including JERA, SoftBank Robotics, LIXIL, NTT DATA, and Rakuten, every visit offered fresh insights into how Japan blends technology, craftsmanship, and human-centred design to shape the future.
We invite you to dive into the highlights below and experience the same inspiration that defined our week in Tokyo.
Where startups, government, and corporations shape Tokyo’s innovation landscape.
Delegates explored Tokyo’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem. Robotics, drone automation, XR, urban mobility, and smart-city technologies. Startups such as RealGlobe, Spiral, Space Entertainment Laboratory, and Yukai Engineering showcased real-world deployments blending physical robotics, emotional AI, and immersive digital experiences.
Hosted with Plug and Play Japan and the Singapore Chamber of Commerce Japan, the visit began with an address delivered on behalf of Governor Yuriko Koike and concluded with a tour of the labs of TIB.
Key Learnings
AI-driven digital twin operations for global energy systems.
JERA’s GDAC, the intelligence nerve centre for 62 global power plants, demonstrated how digital twins and AI deliver real-time monitoring, anomaly detection, lifecycle optimisation, and emissions reduction.
Key Learnings
Industrial-scale automation for cleaning, security, logistics, and retail.
SoftBank Robotics showcased how physical AI is transforming labour-intensive industries. Robots deployed across 32 countries combine teleoperation, autonomous navigation, sensors, and ATP-based cleanliness scoring.
Key Learnings
Dinner was hosted by Allan T. and the Workato team. This session also brought together Jerry Black (AEON) and Kishore Kondragunta (Woven by Toyota) for a compelling dialogue on AI, automation, and the evolving workforce.
Key Learnings
AI-powered predictive maintenance and smart urban mobility. JR East showcased next-generation railway innovation across IoT sensors, computer vision, autonomous inspection robots, and the Suica digital platform.
Key Learnings
Citizen-centric digital government for 110 million residents. Japan’s Digital Agency shared its national digital transformation blueprint, emphasising simplicity, interoperability, and trust.
Key Learnings
Exploring human-centred design, universal access, and sustainable smart living. Delegates toured LIXIL’s advancements in water technology, accessibility, smart homes, and climate-resilient design.
Key Learnings
Robotics, satellite intelligence, digital twins, and next-generation networks. NTT DATA showcased innovations across robotics, satellite imaging, AI agents, digital humans, cleantech, and advanced computing.
Key Learnings
Agentic AI, LLM leadership, fintech intelligence, and enterprise-wide AI-nization.
Rakuten showcased AI industrialisation across 70+ businesses, powered by proprietary Japanese-optimised LLMs.
Key Learnings
The Study Trip concluded with a lunch hosted by His Excellency Mr Ong Eng Chuan, Ambassador of Singapore to Japan. A fitting finale to a week celebrating innovation, collaboration, and the enduring partnership between Singapore and Japan.
Key Reflections from the Journey
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SPARK brings together a community of technology and business leaders from across Asia.
