Considering the Future of Public Services and AI Together — 'Code for Japan Summit 2026' to be Held on October 3rd

Code for Japan is pleased to announce that the "Code for Japan Summit 2026," an event for all those engaged in solving social issues through technology, will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, at Belle Salle Kudan in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

This year's summit theme is "Public Services and AI." AI is no longer in the experimental phase. It is quietly but surely being integrated into our daily lives and the public services that support society, such as healthcare, transportation, education, and childcare. Despite this, discussions about what kind of society we want have not kept pace. Once a system is integrated, it is not easily reversed. That is precisely why we must think about it now.

What kind of society do we want? Who should be involved in its design? These are questions you don't have to bear alone. Administrators, citizens, engineers, researchers—people from different backgrounds and specialties will gather, bringing their on-site experiences to collectively consider the future of AI and public services. That is the essence of Code for Japan Summit 2026.

A program to consider "Public Services and AI" with practitioners at the forefront

Each year, the Code for Japan Summit welcomes various players addressing social issues and implements programs to deepen discussions with participants. In 2026, centering on "Public Services and AI," we plan to develop discussions on topics such as the ideal state of public services, policy-making processes, AI utilization in administration, and citizen collaboration in the digital age.

For the keynote, we are inviting Dr. Arisa Ema from the University of Tokyo, who will speak not only on technological theories but also on re-evaluating society design and its planning processes in the AI era through dialogue with diverse stakeholders. Following the lecture, a dialogue session will be held to discuss Japan's AI utilization in comparison with global efforts, referencing citizen dialogue initiatives abroad.

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Arisa Ema, Associate Professor, Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo

Specializes in Science, Technology and Society (STS). Researches the relationship between information technology, including artificial intelligence and robotics, and society. Her major works include "How to Navigate the AI Society – How to Deal with Artificial Intelligence" (Kagaku Dojin, 2019) and "AI and Society Explained with Pictures and Diagrams" (Gijutsu Hyoron Sha, 2021).

At this summit, Code for Japan members will also organize planned sessions on various discussion points surrounding AI and public services. We plan to base discussions on case studies, starting from questions such as:

How can administrative organizations, where securing human resources is becoming difficult, nurture individuals and build organizations effectively?

How can public services utilizing AI be designed collaboratively with citizens?

How are digitalization and zero-trust implementation in administrative systems functioning on-site, and where are the challenges?

Through these themes, we will not only discuss the pros and cons of technology introduction but also engage in discussions that re-examine the very nature of public services.

Recommended for:

Those engaged in digitalization and AI utilization in administration and local governments

Engineers, designers, and researchers who wish to contribute to solving social issues

Students and professionals interested in social activities

Those interested in civic tech and the relationship between public services and technology

Event Overview

Event Name: Code for Japan Summit 2026

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Doors open: 10:00 AM)

Reception: 5:05 PM – 6:35 PM

Venue: Belle Salle Kudan (Website)

Sumitomo Fudosan Kudan Building 3F/4F, 1-8-10 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Google Map)

Capacity: 300 people

Organizer: General Incorporated Association Code for Japan

Tickets available here

(Transitions to Luma event page)

Program Submission

For this summit, we are inviting program submissions on the theme of "Public Services and AI." By bringing together initiatives that go beyond mere activity introductions and truly "consider the future of public services and AI together," we aim to create a space where each participant can think and connect to practical action.

We plan to hold an information session for presentations and program submissions at the summit. We look forward to your applications.

[Program Submission Information Session]

Date: Friday, May 15, 2026, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Format: Online

Register for the information session here: https://luma.com/cfjsummit-2026_open-calls

[Program Submission Outline]

Submission Deadline: Sunday, June 21, 2026, 11:59 PM

Notification of Acceptance: Scheduled for late June

Programs sought:

Session (40 minutes)

Session (20 minutes)

Lightning Talk (5 minutes)

Workshop

Program application form: https://fo