Japan, Tokyo Weekly Tech Event Digest [`25 May 12 - May 18]

Hello, tech enthusiasts! Sushi Tech week is here, and we have a lot of exciting events lined up for you! Hope you’re having a great week. Here’s a list of upcoming tech events in Japan for the week of May 12 to May 18.

Events

Monday, May 12

• Sendagaya.rb #492 | 🕐 21:00 | Online | 🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: Online Sendagaya.rb meetup. Discussion topics include RubyKaigi 2025, Kaigi on Rails 2024 highlights, and general Ruby/Rails development. Participants can bring their own topics or seek help with coding challenges. The event will be held on Google Meet.

Tuesday, May 13

• Tokyo Startup Lunch Club | 🕦 11:30 | Tokyo International Forum | 🇬🇧🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: Casual lunch meetup for startup founders, investors, and enthusiasts to connect and network in an informal setting.

• Scaling Strategically in a Global Digital Economy | 🕐 16:00 | Tokyo Innovation Base, Tokyo | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Workshop for startups on scaling strategically in a global digital economy. Led by Professor Nataliya Wright from Columbia Business School. Covers market selection, competitive advantage, and organizational development.

• LATAM-Japan Bridge: Innovation & Investment Forum | 🕐 17:30 | Plug And Play Japan Office | 🇯🇵🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Event focused on matching high-growth LATAM startups and VCs with Japanese companies. It features speakers like Adolfo Babatz, Manola Zabalza, Hernan Fernandez, and Taiki Namiki, and pitches from startups like Terrasabia, Clivi, and Sofia. The event also includes discussions on foreign startup support in Tokyo and Osaka.

• After RubyKaigi | 🕐 18:30 | Pixiv Office, Tokyo | 🇬🇧🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: RubyKaigi 2025 After event by ZOZO, Findy, and pixiv. Short talks by RubyKaigi participants and speakers, LTs, panel discussion, and networking. For those interested in Ruby, those who missed RubyKaigi, and RubyKaigi attendees.

• OrbsCafe #10 | 🕐 19:00 | Shinjuku City, Tokyo | 🇬🇧🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: OrbsCafe is a study group for the Orbs community to learn with Web3 colleagues. Guest lecturer is Makoto Aoki, Representative Director of WebX and Director of CoinPost. Learn about the latest information on the WebX conference held in August and updates from CoinPost! The event includes a reception and networking opportunities.

• Tokyo HackerSpace Weekly | 🕢 19:30 | HackerSpace, Tokyo | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Weekly gathering for tech enthusiasts, makers, and hackers to collaborate, share ideas, and work on projects together.

Wednesday, May 14

• Shibuya Public Event Brunch | 🕕 16:00 | Shibuya Startup Support Space | 🇬🇧🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: Networking brunch hosted by Shibuya Startup Support, providing tools and connections for startups to grow.

• YOKOHAMA CONNECT #13 | 🕐 16:00 | Tech Hub Yokohama | 🇬🇧🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: YOKOHAMA CONNÉCT #13 is a hybrid event with both in-person and online participation options. It features various sessions including workshops, panels, and demo tables. The event aims to connect innovators and foster collaboration within the ecosystem.

• Green Drinks Kansai #6 - Kyoto | 🕡 18:30 | Kyoto Sando Food Hall, near Kyoto Station | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Casual networking event around sustainability topics like climate, biodiversity, and environmental protection. Open community meet-up rotating between Kyoto and Osaka.

• Generative AI Trends in China | 🕐 18:30 | Softbank Corp., Tokyo | 🇯🇵🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: This meetup explores the latest trends in generative AI in China, featuring DeepSeek and Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen. Speakers will discuss technical details, performance comparisons, and use cases. The event includes presentations, a sponsor session, and networking opportunities. Primarily in Japanese, but clarity will be emphasized for non-native speakers.

• Intro to Geospatial Analysis Workshop | 🕐 19:00 | Online | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Workshop on geospatial data analysis with Python. Covers data formats, sources in Japan, manipulation, visualization, GeoPandas, and real-world AI applications. Suitable for beginners and experienced data scientists.

• Tokyo HackerSpace Weekly JP | 🕢 19:30 | HackerSpace, Tokyo | 🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: Weekly gathering for tech enthusiasts, makers, and hackers to collaborate, share ideas, and work on projects together. In Japanese.

Thursday, May 15

• Yokohama Startup Lunchclub | 🕐 11:00 | Tech Hub Yokohama, Yokohama, Kanagawa | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Yokohama Startup Lunchclub fosters connections and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs. Expect inspiring conversations, insights from guest speakers, and networking opportunities within Yokohama’s startup ecosystem. Held at Tech Hub Yokohama.

• Thursday Gathering | 🕐 16:00 | Cic Tokyo | 🇬🇧🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: Thursday Gathering #336 features various sessions like “How to Enjoy Thursday Gathering”, “T-Hub: Powering Innovation”, discussions on entrepreneurship, a dialogue skills workshop, and a Korean robotics startup pitch. The event welcomes innovators, entrepreneurs, and community members.

• Rising Biotech Challenge 2025 Kickoff | 🕐 18:00 | Plug And Play Japan, Shibuya Dogenzaka Tokyu Building 1f, Tokyo | 🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: Kickoff event for the Rising Biotech Challenge 2025, focusing on supporting Japanese biotech companies in commercialization and global expansion. Features speakers from various biotech companies and organizations. Networking session included.

• LATAM-Japan Bridge: Innovation & Investment Forum in Osaka | 🕐 18:00 | Jambase | 🇯🇵🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: LATAM-Japan matching and networking event for VCs and Japanese companies. Osaka’s initiatives to attract foreign financial companies will be introduced. Accelerating collaboration between Japan and LATAM startup ecosystems.

• Django Online Meetup | 🕐 18:00 | Online | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Online Django meetup featuring blog post presentations. Discuss Django 5.2 LTS features and PHP session data interaction. Open for attendees to share their own blog posts and engage in Q&A.

• Space Cafe Tokyo - Special Talk: What is science? | 🕐 20:00 | Good Heavens British Bar, Tokyo | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: A talk on the definition of science, scientists, and the scientific method by Mark Harrison (UCLA). Explores public trust in fields like geology. Held at Good Heavens British Bar in Shimokitazawa. Doors open at 7:30 pm, talk starts at 8 pm. Tickets ¥1500 at the door, includes first drink.

Friday, May 16

• Programmers in the Age of AI | 🕐 19:00 | Google Japan - Shibuya, Tokyo | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Panel discussion on the role of programmers in the age of AI, featuring Boris Paillard (Le Wagon), Masa Kato (Progate), and Chris Gerpheide (Google). The event explores the future of tech education and how developers can adapt to a changing world.

Saturday, May 17

• Daikanyama Morning Code | 🕐 09:00 | Dean & Deluca, Tokyo | 🇬🇧🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: Free meetup for tech enthusiasts of all levels interested in code, web development, design, cloud, blockchain, or AI. Bring your laptop, discuss projects, and share ideas.

• Decentralized AI Day | 🕐 09:30 | Spot六本木ミッドタウンサイド, Tokyo | 🇬🇧🇯🇵 | 🔗Link: A day of exploration and collaboration in Decentralized AI (DeAI). Learn from leaders, engage in interactive sessions, and network with innovators. Explore projects like Numerai, FLock.io, and YIEDL.ai. All skill levels welcome. The event includes talks, open discussions, and complimentary breakfast and lunch.

• Developer Personal Project Meetup | 🕐 10:00 | Kikkake Creation Inc., Shibuya | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: International developer meetup in Tokyo. Participants introduce projects/portfolios, discuss improvements, explore monetization, and prepare for job interviews. Collaborative work and group sharing. Restrictions apply to recruiters, solicitors, and disruptive individuals.

• Coffee and Code | 🕐 10:00 | Starbucks In Roppongi Hills Lobby, Tokyo | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Relaxed event for coders, beginners, and IT professionals. Bring a laptop, grab coffee, discuss coding, learn, and share tips. All nationalities and ages welcome. Limited to 20 RSVPs, but waitlisted attendees can still come.

• MDN Translation Community Meetup | 🕐 13:00 | Online | 🇯🇵🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Monthly online event to translate MDN Web Docs into Japanese. Experienced members help newcomers. Held on Slack #translation. Tutorial and information available online.

Sunday, May 18

• Digital Nomads Lounge Night | 🕐 18:00 | Citan, Tokyo | 🇬🇧 | 🔗Link: Lounge night for digital nomads and expats in Tokyo at CITAN, near Bakurocho Station. Enjoy craft beer, wine, and food. Limited to 20 people. Photos and videos will be taken. Primarily English spoken.

Future Events Pre-Registration

The Ventures Award Japan 2025 — Apply by May 21!

Early-stage, investment-ready startups are invited to pitch at the Japanese edition of The Ventures Award — a global competition connecting founders with investors. Finalists gain access to 200+ top-tier investors and venture experts worldwide. Join a global network shaping innovation in Tokyo, New York, London, Tel Aviv, and beyond. Tokyo Final: June 4, 2025 Apply now: https://www.the-ventures.com/japan-2025

Disclaimer

Events above are collected from a variety of online open sources. There might be changes or cancellations. Please check the event page for the most up-to-date information.

If you have an event to share, please let us know - we’d love to include it in our next digest! Mail us at [email protected].