[Webinar] July 21 (Tue) 15:00 – “How to Govern Public Spaces in the Age of AI”

The Tokyo Foundation (Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Mieko Nakabayashi) will host a webinar titled 'How to Govern Public Spaces in the Age of AI – Data Governance from the Perspective of FIFA World Cup 2026' on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 15:00.

AI technologies, including generative AI, and the underlying data utilization are being integrated into various sectors of society, such as government, healthcare, education, sports, urban infrastructure, and security. However, there is ongoing uncertainty across countries and regions regarding how much AI and data utilization should be permitted and under what procedures, responsibilities, and oversight they should be operated. In this context, The Tokyo Foundation's policy paper 'The 2026 FIFA World Cup as a Grand Social Experiment for AI' positions the tournament as a 'massive social experiment' where AI surveillance, crowd management, public health, platform regulation, and children's data protection intersect. The paper highlights that in the United States, the event will be designated a National Special Security Event (NSSE), potentially serving as a real-world demonstration field for AI governance involving complex coordination among federal and state governments and private entities.

Building on this premise, three expert panelists—specializing in cloud security and data protection, medical AI and legal ethics, and AI implementation in public and clinical settings—will discuss the future of AI and data governance from four perspectives: (1) institutional design of AI and data governance, (2) the significance of sandboxes and real-world demonstrations, (3) the treatment of children and minors, and (4) AI sovereignty and international cooperation. The discussion aims to move beyond the binary choice of 'use or ban AI and data' and identify the institutional conditions necessary for implementing AI in a way that maintains societal trust.

Please note that this webinar is organized solely by The Tokyo Foundation and is not hosted, sponsored, or supported by FIFA or the tournament organizing committee.

Event Overview

Date and Time: July 21, 2026 (Tuesday), 15:00–16:30

Format: Zoom Webinar (online, free, advance registration required)

Target Audience: Journalists, researchers, practitioners, and anyone interested

Registration: Please visit the URL below or scan the QR code to access the registration form.

https://www.tkfd.or.jp/events/detail.php?event_id=3714

Panelists (in alphabetical order, without honorifics)

Hirofumi Kawajiri – Attorney and Physician, Miura Law Office

Eiji Sasahara – Representative Director, Japan Cloud Security Alliance

Takatori Fujita – Senior Research Fellow, The Tokyo Foundation

Tentative Program (subject to change)

- Opening Remarks and Purpose Explanation (Takatori Fujita)

- AI Governance Demonstration in the U.S. Context: Insights from the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Eiji Sasahara)

- Preparing for the Next Crisis: Medical Data and AI Utilization with Legal Accountability (Hirofumi Kawajiri)

- Panel Discussion and Q&A (all panelists) – Theme: 'Institutional Conditions for Trustworthy AI Implementation'

【Panelist Profiles】

□ Moderator and Opening Remarks

Takatori Fujita

Senior Research Fellow, The Tokyo Foundation

Graduated from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Medicine in 2006; completed graduate studies at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Law and Politics in 2011. After serving as an Associate Professor at Nagoya University’s Department of Economics, he became a specially appointed Associate Professor at Keio University School of Medicine, Department of Healthcare Policy and Management in 2021. His expertise includes medical law, healthcare policy, and the legal and ethical frameworks governing medical information, including medical AI and telemedicine. He has served on advisory panels such as the Cabinet Office’s Expert Panel on the Contact Confirmation App and the Ethics Committee of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association.

〇 Research Fields and Key Interests: Medical Law / Healthcare Policy / Medical Information / Medical AI / Medical Data / Telemedicine

□ Panelists (in alphabetical order)

Hirofumi Kawajiri

Attorney and Physician, Miura Law Office

Graduated from Keio University School of Medicine in 2005. After working as a surgeon at Keio University Hospital and Toronto General Hospital, he was admitted to the bar in 2022. Leveraging extensive clinical experience in Japan and abroad, he handles a broad range of healthcare-related legal matters, including medical practice classification, regulatory compliance for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and health foods, marketing and advertising regulations, medical data governance, M&A, contract advice, and medical safety and malpractice dispute resolution.

Eiji Sasahara

Representative Director, Japan Cloud Security Alliance; Head of Kansai Chapter; Vice Chair, Healthcare Committee, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Originally from Miyazaki Prefecture. Holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University. He has extensive experience in digital marketing (B2B/B2C) and in governance, risk, and compliance research and consulting within the healthtech, medtech, healthcare, elderly care, and life sciences industries. He actively promotes cloud-native security awareness among healthtech and medtech startups.

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◇◆ About The Tokyo Foundation ◆◇

The Tokyo Foundation, established in 1997, is an independent, non-profit, private policy think tank. With a long-term perspective and free-thinking approach, it conducts research, policy analysis, and recommendations on various social issues. It also aims to cultivate individuals who contribute to society with a broad perspective, thereby supporting the sustainable development of Japan and the world.

In its policy research initiatives, the foundation seeks to scientifically analyze social challenges, propose solutions, and chart pathways for implementation. By collaborating with policymakers, businesses, and civil society, it strives to drive tangible social change. Through data-driven analysis and strategic policy dialogue, it aims to build an intellectual foundation for Japan’s sustainable development.

In its human resource development programs, the foundation nurtures global leaders through scholarship programs in 44 countries, Japanese language education support, and book donations to deepen understanding of Japan.

Headquarters: 5F, Sasakawa Peace Foundation Building, 1-15-16 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001 URL: https://www.tkfd.or.jp/