About TEDxTokyo

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED’s “ideas worth spreading” mission, with TEDx events planned and coordinated independently on a local basis. The concept has gone viral, and events in more than 60 countries, and a vast number of cities and communities have already been held or are in formative stages. The goal is to spark deep discussions and connections in groups both intimate and expansive. (If you’d like to find out more about the TEDx program, this is the place.)

TEDxTokyo’s organizers, Todd Porter and Patrick Newell, saw TED as a perfect platform for bringing global innovators from Japan and elsewhere together. Patrick, the founder of the Tokyo International School, is a longtime Japan resident, international educator and veteran TEDster. Todd became a TED fan while working in Silicon Valley for Chris Anderson, whose Sapling Foundation purchased the TED Conference, and he later put on a series of TED Salons in Tokyo that resonated powerfully with attendees.

Early advisors, including Dr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa (former special advisor to the Cabinet on Science, Technology and Innovation), William Sato (director, Venture Support Center, Japan National Institute of Industrial Science and Technology), Hiroo Saionji (president, Goi Peace Foundation), and a team of more than 50 collaborators took the curiosity and excitement over TED to the next level, launching the first TEDxTokyo event on May 22, 2009 (visit the Events section for more information). Like other TEDx events, TEDxTokyo combines live speakers and TEDTalks videos from the main TED conference. The intention is to help shape a sustainable future for Japan — and, by extension, the rest of the planet.

Many of the same crew are now at work shaping the 2010 event. If you believe you have something vital to contribute to the effort as a volunteer, participant, speaker or sponsor, please follow the appropriate link and tell us. We’re all in this together!