Advancing EU–Japan Digital Cooperation: Insights from the Week and Next Steps

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26 March 2026 12:30 to 15:00 (Tokyo time)
Delegation of the European Union to Japan, Tokyo (in-person event)

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What to expect:

  • Lead organisers will briefly share key takeaways from the week’s thematic events: concise, cross-cutting, and accessible to all.
  • Hackathon finalist teams will deliver live 10-minute pitches, showcasing their interoperable digital public infrastructure solutions bridging the EU and Japan. After a short deliberation break, the winners will be announced in a dedicated 10-minute awards ceremony - earning the right to present at the final INPACE event in Brussels in 2027! 
  • EURAXESS will present European funding opportunities for researchers and innovators in Japan, fostering stronger and deeper digital collaboration.
  • An open panel will bring together event organisers and participants for questions and forward-looking discussion.
  • Dedicated networking time will take place before and after the programme.

This session is designed for learning across topics, making new connections, and understanding what comes next in EU-Japan digital cooperation.

Organisers:
Dr. Svetlana Klessova, G.A.C. Group, INPACE, France
Adam Kapovits, Eurescom, INPACE, Germany

Agenda:
  • 11.45 - 12.30 – Networking lunch
  • 12.30 - 12.40 – Opening Remarks
    • Peter Fatelnig, Minister-Counsellor for Digital Economy Policy, Delegation of the European Union to Japan
    • Jana Vinkel, International Relations Officer, International Affairs and Policy Outreach, DG CNECT, Belgium
  • 12.40 - 12.45 – Introduction 
    • Dr. Svetlana Klessova, G.A.C. Group, France
  • 12.45 - 13.45 – Bridging Digital Worlds: Live Hackathon Stories on How Data Spaces and Public Infrastructure Impact Everyday Life
    • Moderator: Dr. Franck Le Gall, EGM, France
    • Jury:
      • Prof. Kazuma Hatano, Associate Professor, University of Tokyo, Japan
      • Dr. Masaru Dobashi, Senior Expert, IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency), Japan
      • Ms. Ann Molin, Founder & Secretary General, Hack for Earth Foundation, Sweden
      • Mr. Martin Chatel, Chief Policy Officer, ETSI, France
      • Dr. Rossen Apostolov, Director, Mimer AI Factory, NAISS, Sweden
Join us for the final hackathon pitches where three finalist teams showcase concrete, easy-to-understand use cases that turn complex topics like data spaces and digital public infrastructure into real benefits for citizens, businesses, and local communities. In a friendly, non-technical format, you’ll hear their recommendations, discover new collaboration opportunities, and help select the most impactful ideas - followed by prize awarding, wrap-up, and networking with innovators from Europe and Japan.
  • 13.45 - 14.30 – Key takeaways and highlights from the EU-Japan Digital Week events (5-7 minutes per person, presented by the respective event organisers, followed by a 15-minute Q&A)
    • Semiconductors - Dr. Francis Balestra, SiNANO Institute/CNRS, France
    • Policy - Dr. Raluca Csernatoni, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium 
    • EU and Japan tech business offers - Jana Vinkel, DG CNECT, European Commission, Belgium
    • Standardisation – Igor Minaev, ETSI, France
    • AI4Good cooperation - Dr. Rossen Apostolov, NAISS, Sweden
  • 14.30 - 14.45 – Forward-looking panel: EU-Japan digital cooperation beyond 2026
    • Moderator: Dr. Svetlana Klessova, G.A.C. Group, France
    • Speakers:
      • Dr. Francis Balestra, SiNANO Institute/CNRS, France 
      • Dr. Raluca Csernatoni, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium
      • Jana Vinkel, DG CNECT, European Commission, Belgium
      • Martin Chatel, ETSI, France
      • Dr. Rossen Apostolov, NAISS, Sweden
  • 14.45 - 14.55 – Horizon Europe Funding Opportunities for Japanese and European Researchers and Innovators
    • Introduction: Adam Kapovits, Eurescom, Germany
    • Presenter: Dr. Judit Erika Magyar, Country Representative, EURAXESS Japan
  • 14.55 - 15.00 – Closing remarks
    • Peter Fatelnig, Minister-Counsellor for Digital Economy Policy, Delegation of the European Union to Japan
  • 15.00 - 16.00 – Coffee and networking

Programme

The EU-Japan Digital Week is an initiative under the EU-Japan Digital Partnership and is supported by the following projects and organisations.

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