"Smart Connectivity and Computing" Workshop

March 31, 2025 - 09:00 to 17:00 (GMT+9, Tokyo)

Global Front Building, Surugadai Campus, Meiji University

The Smart Connectivity and Computing Workshop aims to bridge the gap between the European Union and Japan in the fields of cloud-edge computing and smart connectivity. This one-day, in-person event will bring together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the current landscape, share best practices, and explore collaboration opportunities in open-source technologies, industry verticals, and cross-cutting topics.

Organiser

Dr. Giacomo Inches, Martel Innovate, Switzerland, in collaboration with NexusForum.EU project.

Co-organiser

Prof. Kiyoshi Murata, Meiji University

Target audience

Cloud Edge IoT experts and stakeholders, c.a. 150-200 attendees expected

Agenda

Opening Remarks
- Welcome address by Meiji University representative
  - Dr. Andrew Adams, Deputy Director of the Centre for Business Information Ethics (CBIE) at Meiji University
- Introduction by NexusForum.EU coordinator
  - Sachiko Muto, Senior Researcher, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE)
Keynote Address
- Topic: "The Future of EU-Japan Collaboration in Smart Connectivity"

Session 1: Industry Innovations in Japan's Cloud-Edge Landscape
- Moderator: Dr. Giacomo Inches, Senior Innovation Consultant, Martel Innovate
- Presentations on latest developments and best practices in industries and academia, with a particular emphasis on the Japanese market, emphasizing the role of open-source technologies.
  - Didier Navez, Senior VP Strategy & Alliances at Dawex
  - Prof. Hidenori Nakazato, Professor at Waseda University

Session 2: Advancing Cloud-Edge Computing Through Cross-Cutting Innovations
- Moderator: Dr. Monique Calisti, CEO, Martel Innovate
- Objective: Expert panel discussion on cross-cutting research topics and innovations that transcend specific industries, with an emphasis on open-source initiatives and collaborative efforts.
  - Yuki Nobekawa, COO of Japan Data Exchange
  - Koki Mitani, Senior Research Engineer, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)

Session 3: Shaping the Future – NexusForum.EU Roadmap Presentation
- Moderators:
  - Chiara Zincone, EU Digital Policy Analyst, OpenNebula Systems
  - Dr. Thomas Ohlson Timoudas, Researcher, RISE
- Objective: To present the NexusForum.EU roadmap, disseminate its key objectives, and gather valuable feedback from participants. This session also aims to recruit interested parties for future Working Groups focusing on EU-Japan and EU-ROK collaborations as well as public consultations.
- Format: Presentation with and Interactive feedback session

Session 4: The EU-Japan Nexus
- Moderator: Sachiko Muto, Senior Researcher, RISE
- Objective: To highlight the existing policies, initiatives, and funding mechanisms that support and foster collaborations between the EU and Japan in the field of cloud-edge computing and smart connectivity via panel discussion.
  - Dr. Monique Calisti, CEO, Martel Innovate
  - Dr. Raluca Csernatoni, Professor, Centre for Security, Diplomacy, and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Format: presentation and panel discussion
After 17:30, Informal Networking and Evening reception

Expected outcomes

Identify and exploit new or existing collaboration opportunities in Cloud Edge IoT between partners from EU and Japan, removing barriers and filling the gaps.

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