After graduating from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Law, he worked at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) before being first elected to the House of Representatives in 1990. Since then, he has served as Vice Minister of Education and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and served as Minister of the Environment in the fourth Abe Cabinet from 2018 to 2019. During his tenure, he worked on nuclear disaster countermeasures and renewable energy policy. Currently, he is also focusing on international infrastructure partnerships, including serving as the head of an organization promoting the Japan-Korea Tunnel Initiative.

He is an educator from the Republic of Mali. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees in architecture and architectural planning from Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Engineering, and served as president of Kyoto Seika University from April 2018 to March 2022, becoming the first African-American president of a Japanese university. He currently serves as Vice President of the Japan Association for the 2025 International Exposition, Director of the Tokyo Public University Corporation, and President of the International Metaverse Association. He specializes in architecture and urban planning. He is also a member of the Architectural Association of Mali (OAM), the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ), the Architectural Design Association of Japan (ADAN), and the City Planning Institute of Japan (CPIJ).

She is the Vice President of the International Metaverse Association, CEO of Shozui Corporation and President of the NPO International Technology Exchange Association. D. degrees from Kyoto University and Tsinghua University, and has extensive knowledge and experience in the metaverse domain. The International Metaverse Association works with government agencies and related industry associations to participate in the formation of regulations and policies related to the metaverse. It also actively participates in AR, VR, XR, Web 3.0 and other projects in Japan and abroad, contributing to the development of the metaverse and the creation of new businesses.

He is the Director of the Metaverse Institute at Waseda University. His research aims to understand the nature of the Metaverse in practical terms, focusing on its applications in the fields of education, communication, and culture. He is also involved in research on e-learning and intercultural communication, contributing to the creation of new learning environments utilizing digital technology. Nishimura’s efforts are an important guide in exploring the social significance and potential of the Metaverse.

Artist specializing in oil painting and sculpture; Doctor of Literature and Art History; and international fine art producer. Director of the American Goddess Art Museum. Recipient of the Japan Fuji Art Prize in 1993 and 1997, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2018. In 2022, received the Chinese Cultural Heritage Award from the UCA in Washington, D.C. In 2023, received the highest honor, the World Art Leader Award, at the New York International Art Expo, marking the first such recognition in 46 years. She also received the Time Distinguished Artist Award in New York and served as Executive Committee Chair of the 1st World Chinese Golden Pen Award in 2023.

A pioneering researcher, inventor, practitioner and entrepreneur, he is active in the fields of consumer technology, multimedia IVR/AR, connected/automated vehicles, IoT and digital transformation. He founded 0xsenses Corporation, a multinational technology company specializing in virtual reality. The company is dedicated to “creating a better world” by developing the technology, infrastructure, ecosystems, and resources necessary for large-scale, multi-player, hyper-realistic virtual experiences. Formerly a research scientist at IBM Research, he is also a passionate volunteer in leadership positions in the IEEE and other professional communities.

A technology consultant with more than 40 years of experience in the digital storage industry, as president of Coughlin Associates, he analyzes storage technology and market trends. in 2024, he served as president and CEO of the IEEE, the world’s largest organization of technology professionals, where he was responsible for AI ethics and standards for digital infrastructure. He is also a regular contributor to Forbes and other media outlets, where he communicates about the intersection of technology and society. Mr. Coughlin’s insights are helping to build a technology foundation for the sustainable development of the Metaverse.

He is the Co-Founder and CEO of OpenVPN Inc. After earning a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Linkoping University in Sweden, he built extensive experience in technology and network security and has led the founding and growth of OpenVPN. Built on the globally recognized open-source OpenVPN protocol, the company provides network security and private networking solutions for businesses. Dinha is a technology executive and leader in network security who also shares insights on AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise digital transformation.

A pioneer in Dubai’s blockchain and AI sector, as CEO of the Dubai Blockchain Center (DBCC), he contributes to the development of the local technology ecosystem through startup support and educational programs. He also serves as CEO of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism’s AI department, where he drives policies aimed at making the city smarter and enhancing the tourism experience. He is a former member of the Global Future Council of the World Economic Forum and was named by CoinTelegraph as one of the 100 most influential people in blockchain and cryptocurrency in 2022. In addition, as a founding member of the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) and the AI Ethics Committee (AIEC), he is committed to the ethical use and regulation of technology.

He is a technology entrepreneur based in Hong Kong and a proponent of Web3 and digital ownership. Earlier in his career, he worked for Atari Germany and moved to Hong Kong in 1996. He founded Cybercity/Freenation, Asia’s first free web page and email service, and in 1998 founded Outblaze, a pioneer in cloud computing. at Animoca Brands, which he co-founded in 2014, NFT, blockchain games, global leadership in open metaverse, and the democratization of digital assets through investments in The Sandbox, Axie Infinity, and OpenSea. He is also involved in policy development as a member of the Hong Kong government’s Web3 Promotion Task Force.

He is the author of Product Lifecycle Management: Driving the Next Generation ofLean Thinking (McGraw-Hill, 2006) and Virtually Perfect: Driving Innovation ancLean through Product Lifecycle Management (in press). He is an internationally recognized expert in PLM and information systems and has lectured worldwide on product lifecycle management. Dr. Grieves is also co-director of the PLM Center of Excellence at Purdue University and leader and co-director of the PLM Development Consortium at the University of Michigan.

Entrepreneur and technology policy leader from Nigeria. After studying management and international business in the UK, he founded several tech startups. Currently, as Executive Vice President and CEO of the Nigerian Science, Technology and Engineering Infrastructure Development Organization (NASENI), he is working to strengthen the country’s technology and manufacturing infrastructure. He also focuses on technology education and innovation promotion for the youth.

He is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto and is widely recognized as a pioneer in wearable computing and augmented reality (AR) He began researching wearable computers in the 1970s and developed the world’s first wearable AR device, the EyeTap The company has also been involved in the development of He has had a profound influence on modern AR and AI technologies, including laying the technological foundation for smart glasses and HDR imaging. He is also noted for his research that incorporates ethical perspectives such as “Humanistic Intelligence” and “sousveillance,” and continues to bridge technology and society through collaboration with the MIT Media Lab and private companies. He is a world leader in the field of AR and wearable technology, active in both academia and industry.

As Executive Director and Acting Director of UNESCO’s Social and Humanities Division, Ms. Kathryn Harris leads policy development on the ethics of science and technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). Under her leadership, UNESCO is strengthening its response to social challenges in the metaverse era, including the ethical framework for AI, human rights, inclusiveness, and multicultural dialogue. It also promotes international cooperation in areas as diverse as youth policy, sports, anti-discrimination, and gender equality.

After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Tokyo, Tetsuo Nozawa joined Nomura Securities. He subsequently gained diverse experience in areas including national strategy research and policy development, international training, education, and management before entering politics. In 2023, he was elected as a member of the Chiyoda City Assembly. He is actively working to promote the development of local communities through the use of AI and digital transformation (DX). In the Chiyoda City Assembly, he has advocated initiatives including hosting the “World AI Conference and AI Olympics” in Chiyoda City and developing the district into a globally recognized center for advanced AI, promoting a vision for the future of cities centered on AI.

He is the elected Chairman of the Khronos Group Standards Consortium and has been instrumental in the launch and evolution of royalty-free open standards such as OpenCL, OpenVX.NNEF, OpenXR, Vulkan, OpenGL ES, WebGL and glTF, many of which are widely adopted. He is also the Vice President of NVIDIA’s Developer Ecosystem, working to enable applications to take advantage of advanced silicon acceleration.

He is the President of ÉSTIAM, a higher education institution specializing in applied information technology in Paris, France. He has built a career in IT, recruitment, education, and professional training since 1986 and has led ÉSTIAM since 2015. He works to connect IT and digital education with industry and to develop the next generation of digital talent.

He was born in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, and is known as a direct 75th-generation descendant of Confucius. Since coming to Japan in 1985, he has been actively involved in cultural and economic exchange between Japan and China. He has worked as a journalist and researcher of Confucius and has served in leadership positions, including President of the World Confucius Association. He has promoted Confucian thought and Chinese culture while also contributing to educational and human resources exchange between Japan and China.

He graduated from Keio University and has built a long career in executive management in the insurance industry. From 1993 to 2001, he served as President and Representative Director of AIU Insurance Company, and subsequently served as Chairman and Senior Advisor of AIG Japan. From 2017, he served as Representative and Chairman of Star Insurance Company, retiring in 2020. He currently serves as a Director of the International Metaverse Association and President of the NPO International Technology Exchange Association, while also supporting companies in adapting to major changes in the business environment, including the advancement of IT and digital transformation (DX).

With a long-standing focus on carbon materials, he has led research, development, and manufacturing initiatives across a wide range of fields, including healthcare, food, housing, beauty, the environment, and energy. The company actively collaborates with universities and research institutions to develop and commercialize innovative products utilizing carbon materials. Founded in 1970, Ohgi Technological Creation Co., Ltd. continues to develop and manufacture carbon-based products under his leadership.

He is involved in the development of manufacturing equipment, including automation and labor-saving systems, glass processing equipment, and equipment for LCD and semiconductor manufacturing. He works to achieve high-speed, high-precision manufacturing processes through the application of proprietary control and equipment technologies.

He is the fifth-generation owner of Mishima-Tei, a long-established Kyoto restaurant specializing in sukiyaki, founded in 1873. While preserving the traditions passed down through generations, he continues to pursue new possibilities as a chef. In addition to training in Japanese cuisine, he has studied tea ceremony and flower arrangement, and created the “Hana Course,” combining sukiyaki with seasonal appetizers, sweets, and matcha.

He is a technology futurist and business executive specializing in artificial intelligence, spatial computing, and frontier technologies. He is Co-Founder and General Partner of Outpost Capital, where he focuses on frontier technology investments and supports companies across the United States and Asia. He has also been involved in businesses utilizing metaverse and AI technologies and regularly participates in international technology conferences.

He is a technology leader specializing in the Future of Work, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. As Chief Executive & Education Officer at The Kaizen Future of Work Institute, he focuses on the future of work and education and the application of emerging technologies. He also has extensive expertise in Agile, data science, and project and program management.

He is a leader in the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based in Shenzhen, China. As Chairman of the Shenzhen Drone Industry Association, he oversees one of the largest industrial clusters in the country, providing support to companies and developing technical standards. He also chairs the World Drone Congress and leads international industry exchanges and policy advocacy. He also focuses on applications of drones in urban utilization, logistics, and agriculture, contributing to the advancement of the industry.

He is a technology policy expert serving as Chair of the IEEE Metaverse Standards Working Group, which works toward developing international frameworks for next-generation virtual environments. Drawing on extensive expertise in computer science, interactive technologies, and digital ecosystem design, he promotes standardization across industry, academia, and the public sector. His work focuses on comprehensive areas such as metaverse terminology, interoperability, and ethical guidelines, with the aim of creating safer and more sustainable virtual environments.

He has more than 25 years of experience in the international financial services industry, with a broad background spanning investment banking, property and casualty insurance, life insurance, and banking. He has been involved in launching new businesses and developing new business opportunities. He currently serves as Representative of Millefiore LLC, working in areas including business succession, new business development, entrepreneur support, and branding. As a Fellow of the Succession Association, he promotes “Business Succession and Creation” to support the continuity and growth of companies, while also working to foster human-centered value creation in the age of AI and support the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.

He graduated from the Faculty of Law at Chuo University and began his career at Yamaichi Securities. He subsequently built extensive experience in the financial and securities industries, including serving as Vice President of Merrill Lynch Securities. He later served as Representative of Asclepius and Vice Chairman of LTT Bio-Pharma, developing experience across finance, business management, and biotechnology. He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) registered with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). He currently serves as Chairman of the Exberry Azalea Friendship Foundation, promoting initiatives centered on “renewal” and fostering connections among people, communities, and cultures.

He is a leading Japanese researcher in robotics and drone technology. He earned his Ph.D. in engineering from the Tokyo Metropolitan University Graduate School and served as a researcher and senior researcher at NASA before becoming a professor and later a vice president of Chiba University. In 2013, he founded Autonomous Control Systems Laboratory (now ACSL) and served as its CEO. He currently leads the robotics division at the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI), chairs the Advanced Robotics Foundation, and serves as Chairman of the Japan Drone Consortium, promoting research, industrial innovation, and talent development in robotics and drone technology.

He joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1987 and has extensive experience in cybersecurity policy and economic security through senior positions at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Cabinet Secretariat. He served as a professor and dean at Tokai University’s School of Information and Telecommunication Engineering, where he was involved in research and education in information security and digital talent development. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering and contributes to the advancement of a secure and trustworthy digital society through his expertise in both public administration and academia.

Xie Xiaobin is a co-founder of Tydic and Dean of its Artificial Intelligence Research Institute. He holds a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and an MBA from Peking University. With more than 30 years of experience in the information technology industry, he has played a key role in expanding the company’s core businesses. As a director, he oversees research and development in AI large language models, industrial digitalization, and intelligent applications. He focuses on deploying AI solutions across government and enterprise services, telecommunications, and financial technology, promoting the integration of AI with real-world industrial applications.

He is the President and CEO of Meta Heroes Inc. Under the theme “Society 5.0 × SDGs × HERO,” he promotes business development using AI and metaverse (XR) technologies, as well as digital transformation education. Through the operation of Hero Egg, a DX education space, he provides opportunities for people of all ages to explore, learn, and experiment with emerging technologies. He also works to address social challenges in education, disaster prevention, and regional revitalization, aiming to create new value through technology and nurture the next generation of leaders.

He has approximately 15 years of experience in business development at major technology companies in Japan and globally. At NTT DATA, he spent around 10 years working on financial and payment infrastructure and digital transformation projects for major enterprises. He subsequently contributed to the expansion of PayPay’s rapidly growing fintech business and led business development for Tencent’s cloud and AI services in the Japanese market. Drawing on his experience with both the business foundations of major corporations and cutting-edge AI technologies from around the world, he founded GSCORA Inc. in July 2026. He is currently developing an AI platform that integrates AI technologies from around the world, enabling Japanese companies to use them safely and efficiently.

He is involved in the Meta Panda Worlds project, working on initiatives that combine pandas, digital technology, and the metaverse. Through projects connecting emerging technologies with culture, environmental awareness, and animal protection, he contributes to the development of an international metaverse community.

Wan Jiongzhe is a third-year student at Capital Normal University in Beijing, China. With strong language skills and an interest in international exchange, he participated as an international volunteer at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. He actively engages in cross-cultural exchange and is passionate about communication in English and contributing to international events. He is a promising young global talent with a strong interest in international society and a proactive spirit.

Miyuki Komuro is passionate about creating art and designs in the metaverse, including beautiful landscapes and innovative avatars. She is also interested in communication and creative activities using AI. As an International Youth AI Ambassador, she aims to contribute to the development of the metaverse and AI, explore new possibilities, and learn through various activities toward creating a better future.