Live Report: 'AI Expo Nagoya 2026' Opens Today! Two-Day Event Kicks Off to Accelerate On-Site DX in Nagoya and the Tokai Region

AIsmiley Inc. (Shibuya, Tokyo; CEO: Koji Itaba), operator of Japan’s largest AI portal media “AIsmiley,” is hosting the “AI Expo Nagoya 2026” at Nagoya Convention Hall on June 16 (Tue) and 17 (Wed), 2026.

From the moment the doors opened, the venue welcomed a large influx of attendees, marking the first time this event has landed in the Tokai region. At each exhibition booth, live demonstrations of the latest AI technologies and real-world use cases are underway, with participants actively experiencing the solutions to envision how they could implement them within their own organizations.

Showcasing Practical Applications in Manufacturing DX and AI: Keynote Conferences Underway

This inaugural event in Nagoya features a series of conferences centered on topics unique to the region, known for its concentration of manufacturing and industrial companies. On the first day, Mr. Kota Higuchi from Okaya & Co., Ltd. / Monomyth Inc. delivered a keynote titled “The Reality of Physical AI Implementation in Manufacturing,” explaining the potential of physical AI and practical implementation strategies in response to urgent industry challenges such as labor shortages and rising labor costs. The session drew significant attention from the audience.

Keynote by Kota Higuchi, Okaya & Co., Ltd. / Monomyth Inc.

Other morning sessions included a presentation by Mr. Yosuke Takahashi of Verkada Japan Inc. on proactive operational reforms using video data, Mr. Mitsuhiro Matsuda of Mark Door Inc. discussing an approach to replicate expert judgment through mathematical optimization, and a joint session by Mr. Yoshinori Tada of Quartet Communications Inc. and Mr. Ryuunosuke Nakamura of Salesforce Japan Inc. on sales DX case studies for SMEs. Many attendees were already seen taking detailed notes, reflecting the high level of engagement.

Keynote by Yosuke Takahashi, Verkada Japan Inc.

Keynote by Mitsuhiro Matsuda, Mark Door Inc.

Joint Keynote by Yoshinori Tada (left), Quartet Communications Inc., and Ryuunosuke Nakamura (right), Salesforce Japan Inc.

This afternoon and beyond, a packed lineup of high-profile conferences featuring leading manufacturing and local companies awaits.

Highlights include Mr. Furu of Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. discussing on-site-driven AI adoption and company-wide deployment, Mr. Yoshimoto of Nagoya Bank Co., Ltd. sharing the current state of AI utilization, and appearances by Denso Corporation and Mizkan Group Holdings Co., Ltd. All sessions have reached full capacity through prior registration.

Cutting-Edge AI Solutions on Display: Exhibition Area Thriving from Opening

The exhibition area features a wide range of companies supporting corporate DX, showcasing not only trending AI agents and generative AI solutions but also custom system development, implementation consulting, and talent development services aimed at enhancing organizational AI literacy.

At each booth, attendees are not only verifying technical accuracy through live demos but also engaging in direct discussions with representatives on customizing solutions to fit their workflows and planning educational steps for internal adoption. These in-depth, operation-focused dialogues—going beyond mere information gathering—are creating a highly energetic atmosphere across the venue from day one.

Spotlight on 'Physical AI' and Real-World Demonstrations

At the booth of Okaya & Co., Ltd., which also participated in the conference, a humanoid robot from AGiBOT is on display. Many attendees paused to observe the realistic movements of the human-shaped robot, closely examining its smooth motion and operability.

Meanwhile, Mukuiru Inc. is offering an experiential showcase of AI-powered smart glasses. The exhibit is drawing popularity as visitors can wear the glasses and experience real-time responses. Attendees are actively asking questions while visualizing specific use cases in their own work environments, engaging in practical information gathering.

First-Ever 'Startup Zone' Attracts Steady Flow of Visitors

The 'Startup Zone,' a new initiative for this Nagoya event, brings together promising AI startups.

Attendees are continuously visiting the booths, eager to discover newly launched innovative technologies and unique services. The entire area is buzzing with energy as visitors explore fresh ideas beyond conventional frameworks.

Message from the Organizer’s CEO: Koji Itaba

Koji Itaba, CEO, AIsmiley Inc.

We are delighted to host the AI Expo in Nagoya.

The Tokai region is a hub for Japan’s leading manufacturing industries and a vital area supporting the national economy. At the same time, companies face urgent challenges such as labor shortages and the need to improve productivity. AI adoption has become a critical strategic issue for sustainable corporate growth.

At AI Expo Nagoya 2026, we are showcasing the latest trends and practical cases in generative AI, AI agents, manufacturing DX, and physical AI through exhibitions by 60 companies and 100 products, along with 30 specialized conferences. We hope attendees leave not only with knowledge about AI but also with concrete insights and connections to apply AI within their own organizations.

We aim to accelerate the social implementation of AI to contribute to Japan’s productivity improvement and industrial competitiveness. Through this event, we will expand the circle of AI adoption from Nagoya to energize Japan.

Koji Itaba Representative Director, AIsmiley Inc.

AI Expo Nagoya 2026 Continues Tomorrow

The AI Expo Nagoya 2026 will continue at Nagoya Convention Hall until June 17 (Wed). As the first event of its kind in the Tokai region, it offers not only the latest trends in AI utilization and DX promotion but also hands-on demo exhibitions where attendees can operate and experience the latest AI solutions directly relevant to their business operations. Those seeking insights into AI adoption and operational improvements are encouraged to visit the venue.

Visitor Registration Here

Event Overview: AI Expo Nagoya 2026

Dates: June 16 (Tue) 10:00–18:00, June 17 (Wed) 10:00–17:00, 2026 ■ Venue: Nagoya Convention Hall 3F & 4F (4-60-12 Heike-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi) Organizer: AIsmiley Inc. Co-organized by: Japan Deep Learning Association / Generative AI Utilization Promotion Association Financial Data Utilization Promotion Association / Software Association Retail AI Association / Generative AI Association / Data Scientist Association Exhibition Categories: Robots & Physical AI, AI Agents, Generative AI, LLM, RAG Construction, Fine-tuning, Multimodal AI, ChatGPT Integration, Writing Assistance, Image Generation AI, Video Generation AI, Meeting Minutes AI, Image Recognition, Demand Forecasting, Annotation, AI Outsourced Development, Voice Bots, Virtual Humans, Edge AI, Data Analytics, Reskilling, Visual Inspection, Facial Recognition, etc.