The 2026 Japan-U.S. Innovation Awards Symposium
2026/7/17
Remarks by Acting Consul General Ishihara
Group Photo of Innovation Showcase Winners
On Thursday, July 16, Acting Consul General Takeshi Ishihara attended the 2026 annual Japan-US Innovation Awards at Stanford University, an event that recognizes outstanding entrepreneurship from companies and startups with connections to both the U.S. and Japan. Acting Consul General Ishihara gave the opening remarks, congratulating the 2026 award winners and expressing a hope for continued tech collaboration between Japan and the US.
This year, two AI industry leaders, Anthropic (US) and Sakana.AI (Japan), received the Emerging Leader Awards for their unique breakthroughs in the field and their commitment to cross-border cooperation. Jeff Bleich, General Counsel for Anthropic, highlighted the company’s work with Japan, including a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan’s AI Safety Institute, while Ren Ito, founder of Sakana.AI, emphasized his company’s collaborative approach to AI development, combining the strengths of multiple AI models to create better results.
The Innovation Showcase also highlighted five Japanese startup companies (HACARUS, I Peace, KORTUC, Ookuma Diamond Device, and Pale Blue) that are developing groundbreaking technologies, including solutions in biotech, deep tech, semiconductor development, and space tech.
Other speaker sessions included a discussion with a representative from LegalOn, a previous Innovation Showcase winner, and a conversation on physical AI in the US-Japan landscape with Jim Adler, Founder of Toyota Ventures.
The Consulate helped sponsor this annual event, which is co-organized by the Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC) and Stanford’s US-Asia Technology Management Center.
This year, two AI industry leaders, Anthropic (US) and Sakana.AI (Japan), received the Emerging Leader Awards for their unique breakthroughs in the field and their commitment to cross-border cooperation. Jeff Bleich, General Counsel for Anthropic, highlighted the company’s work with Japan, including a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan’s AI Safety Institute, while Ren Ito, founder of Sakana.AI, emphasized his company’s collaborative approach to AI development, combining the strengths of multiple AI models to create better results.
The Innovation Showcase also highlighted five Japanese startup companies (HACARUS, I Peace, KORTUC, Ookuma Diamond Device, and Pale Blue) that are developing groundbreaking technologies, including solutions in biotech, deep tech, semiconductor development, and space tech.
Other speaker sessions included a discussion with a representative from LegalOn, a previous Innovation Showcase winner, and a conversation on physical AI in the US-Japan landscape with Jim Adler, Founder of Toyota Ventures.
The Consulate helped sponsor this annual event, which is co-organized by the Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC) and Stanford’s US-Asia Technology Management Center.
Group Photo of Emerging Leader Award Winners
Discussion with LegalOn
Networking
Mid-day entertainment break with Uzumaru Yosakoi Dance Team
