Top Leaders from Industry, Government, and Academia Gather in Kansai: Japan IT Strategists Association to Host 'JISTA Open Forum 2026 in Kansai' on August 29

The Japan IT Strategists Association (JISTA, headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Ryosuke Oshiro) will host the 'JISTA Open Forum 2026 in Kansai' on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 13:00 at Ritsumeikan Ibaraki Future Plaza (Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture).

JISTA Open Forum 2026 in Kansai: 'Turning Learning into Power, Collaboration into Value – Launching a Future Strategy for Industry, Government, and Academia from Kansai'

▼ Event Details and Registration

https://ww2.jista.org/kansai/archives/1082

Background: A Future Strategy for Industry, Government, and Academia to Navigate an Uncertain Era

In today’s rapidly changing society—driven by the explosive advancement of digital technologies like AI and demographic challenges such as population decline—sustained regional growth and the promotion of digital transformation (DX) have become urgent priorities. To move beyond isolated corporate initiatives and achieve societal implementation, close collaboration across industry (industry), government (administration), and academia (education), along with the development of next-generation talent, is essential.

Under the theme 'Turning Learning into Power, Collaboration into Value – Launching a Future Strategy for Industry, Government, and Academia from Kansai,' this forum will bring together top leaders driving change at the forefront of their fields. Through perspectives from financial IT, local government, and higher education, speakers will discuss the essence and future strategies of DX, creating a platform to explore new possibilities for innovation together with participants.

Key Program and Speakers

【Session 1: Industry-Government-Academia Lecture Session】 (Online streaming available)

Leaders representing each sector will share real-world insights and future visions on DX from their respective fields.

'Tiny Improvements Drive Major Reforms: Financial DX and Career Mobility from a Joint Venture Perspective'

Speaker: Ritsuko Shimada (President & CEO, Resona Digital & I Co., Ltd.)

'DX Challenges for Small and Medium-Sized Municipalities'

Speaker: Norihiko Morimoto (Mayor of Minami Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture)

'The Future of Emergent Talent Development Enabled by DX: Designing the Power to Tackle the Unknown'

Speaker: Masato Miyake (Vice President for Industry-Academia Collaboration, Ritsumeikan University; Director, Institute for Social Co-Creation; Professor, OIC Institute for Comprehensive Research)

【Session 2: Industry-Government-Academia Cross-Talk Session】 (Online streaming available)

Theme: 'Envisioning Future Strategies Across Boundaries – A Dialogue with Top Leaders from IT, Government, and Universities'

Speakers: Ritsuko Shimada, Norihiko Morimoto, Masato Miyake, and Masaki Kamiya (Kansai Chapter Chair, JISTA)

Overview: An interactive session discussing future strategies for navigating major social changes. In addition to cross-sector dialogue based on pre-event surveys, on-site participants will engage in table discussions to exchange ideas.

Event Overview

Date and Time

August 29, 2026 (Saturday) 13:00–17:45 (Registration opens at 12:30)

※ Campus tour of Ritsumeikan University Osaka Ibaraki Campus from 11:30 to 12:30 (limited to 20 participants, advance reservation required)

Venue

Ritsumeikan University Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Hybrid event with online participation)

13:00–14:45: Building B (Ritsumeikan Ibaraki Future Plaza), 1F Conference Hall

15:00–17:45: Building H, 2F H201 (Learning Infinity Hall)

Admission

Free (Advance reservation required)

Capacity

On-site: 120 participants / Online: 200 participants

Networking Reception

18:15–20:15 (Held at the campus cafeteria 'OIC FOOD PARK'; 5,000 JPY per person, advance reservation required)

Organizer

Kansai Chapter, Japan IT Strategists Association (JISTA)

Registration

https://ww2.jista.org/kansai/archives/1082

Supporting Organizations

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Kinki Regional Communications Bureau / Kansai Regional Union / Shiga Prefecture / Kyoto Prefecture / Osaka Prefecture / Hyogo Prefecture / Nara Prefecture / Wakayama Prefecture / Ibaraki City / Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA) / Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) Osaka Chapter / Japan Association for Information Processing Security Support Engineers (JP-RISSA) / Japan Systems Administrator Liaison Conference (JSDG) / Japan Society for Information and Systems Auditors, Kansai Chapter / Business Systems Initiative Association (BSIA) / IT Coordinator Kyoto / Skill Standards User Group (SSUG) / Management Information Systems Society of Japan

* Applications for additional organizations are currently in progress (as of July 9, 2026)

About the Japan IT Strategists Association (JISTA)

The Japan IT Strategists Association (JISTA) is a professional organization primarily composed of individuals who have passed the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)-certified 'IT Strategist Examination' (formerly the Systems Analyst Examination). As a network of high-level IT professionals driving digital strategy and business transformation, JISTA aims to enhance Japan’s industrial competitiveness and advance the development of a highly informationized society through member collaboration, research, and public policy advocacy.

Organization Name: Japan IT Strategists Association (JISTA)

Representative: Representative Director Ryosuke Oshiro

Founded: March 1999 (Registered as a General Incorporated Association in November 2020)

URL: https://ww2.jista.org/

Contact for Inquiries

JISTA Kansai Chapter, Open Forum 2026 Executive Committee

https://ww2.jista.org/kansai/contact