SKS JAPAN 2026, One of Japan’s Largest Global Food-Tech Summits, Confirmed for November 5–7 in Tokyo: Three Days Aimed at Creating New Food-Tech Industries
SKS JAPAN 2026, one of Japan’s largest global food-tech summits, will take place over three days from November 5–7, 2026, in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. The event brings together food changemakers from Japan and abroad. Organized by UnlocX Inc. and U.S. food-tech media company The Spoon, it will mark its ninth edition in 2026. This article outlines the event, its background and how to participate, focusing on its goal of creating new industries.
Background: Developing Food Innovation Into New Markets and Industries
Food innovation in Japan is entering a new phase. In November 2025, food tech was designated as one of the “17 strategic fields” in Japan’s national growth strategy. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries established a Food Tech Working Group, which is considering a public-private investment roadmap covering plant factories, land-based aquaculture, food machinery, novel foods and other fields. Food tech is thus expanding from a field driven by advanced companies and startups into an industrial policy issue that will shape Japan’s food security, industrial competitiveness, regional economies, health, environment and culture.
Japan’s food industry has a wide range of assets with global potential. These include expertise in fermentation and biotechnology; food product development capabilities; processing technologies; next-generation plant production technologies; a food culture that has long used seaweed and soybeans; the exceptional skills of chefs and artisans; experience in addressing social challenges such as an aging population and natural disasters; and distinctive regional food cultures. By redefining, reintegrating and reconfiguring these assets, Japan may be able to create new industries originating in the country.
At the same time, Japan’s food sector faces a complex set of challenges, including a low food self-sufficiency rate, rising raw-material prices, labor shortages, a declining number of producers and food manufacturers, and risks to the transmission of food culture and technical expertise. The organizers describe this situation as a “silent emergency.” Creating technologies and products individually will not be enough to change it. There is a need to connect technology, culture, talent, capital, policy, regional resources and global markets, and to build markets and business foundations that can generate sustainable value.
SKS JAPAN 2026 Theme and Three Directions
SKS JAPAN 2026 has adopted “From Food Innovation to Next Industries” as its concept. It aims to move food innovation beyond individual technologies, products and demonstration projects and develop it into new markets and industries. Based on this year’s theme, “Singular Visions, Collective Impact,” the event will discuss three key points.
Moving Beyond Individual Initiatives to Create New Industries
The discussion will go beyond asking what technologies are available to consider what kinds of markets and industries can be created using them. By sharing the distinctive visions held by individuals and companies and combining technology, business foundations, regional resources, policy, capital and networks, the event aims to generate large-scale change that cannot be achieved through individual initiatives alone.
How Collaboration Can Bring Japan’s Strengths to the World
Simply taking Japanese technology and food culture overseas will not be enough to create sustainable value in global markets. Japan’s technologies, expertise and culture must be reconfigured to address the challenges and consumer needs of each country and region, while markets must be developed together with local companies, investors, researchers and ecosystem builders. Changemakers from Japan and abroad will gather at the event to discuss how food innovation originating in Japan can be expanded globally.
Creating Concrete Action That Goes Beyond Learning
In addition to sessions and exhibitions, participants will share their challenges and ideas through dialogue, food experiences and networking. These activities are intended to lead to concrete next steps, including collaboration, joint research, business development, investment and overseas expansion.
A Week to Experience the Evolution of Food Across the City
JAPAN FOOD INNOVATION WEEK, launched in 2025, will be held again in 2026 in conjunction with SKS JAPAN. With SKS JAPAN at its core, the initiative will connect a diverse range of events and stakeholders involved in food, agriculture and regeneration. Rather than limiting activities to the event venue, it will link related conferences, interactive events, food experiences and initiatives by companies and organizations, creating a period in which participants from Japan and abroad can experience the potential of Japanese food from multiple perspectives.
On November 5 and 6, an exhibition will be held in the city at the Grand Roof Plaza on the first floor of COREDO Muromachi Terrace. It will provide not only conference participants but also other visitors to the area with an opportunity to experience the evolution of food.
Message From the Organizer’s Representative on Creating New Industries
Hirotaka Tanaka, representative director and CEO of UnlocX Inc., shared a message ahead of the event’s ninth edition.
Tanaka noted that the term “food tech” has evolved into the broader concept of “food evolution” and gained traction in the business world. He also pointed out that regional small and medium-sized enterprises and long-established companies are beginning to rediscover the potential of food, prompting simultaneous initiatives in regional revitalization and industry creation.
At the same time, he described Japan’s food industry as facing a “silent emergency” in which it could decline if no action is taken, and emphasized the phrase “NO ACTION, NO FUTURE.” He said that taking action now could unlock the sector’s potential and connect it with the world, ushering in a “golden age.” He also stressed the importance of reaching outward, finding partners and moving forward.
SKS JAPAN 2026 Event Overview
Dates and times
Main event: November 5–7, 2026
November 5: Sessions and exhibition, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
November 6: Sessions and exhibition, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
November 7: Sessions and exhibition, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; After Event from 7 p.m.
Pre-event: November 4, 2026, 1:30–6:30 p.m. (invitation only)
Conference and exhibition venue
Muromachi Mitsui Hall & Conference
COREDO Muromachi Terrace, 3rd floor
3-2-1 Nihonbashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Format
Hybrid format combining on-site and online participation; advance ticket purchase required
City exhibition
November 5–6, 2026, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Grand Roof Plaza, COREDO Muromachi Terrace, 1st floor
Online viewing
Webinar format from November 5–7, 2026
The pre-event will not be streamed online.
Event website https://sks.unlocx.tech/2026
Tickets
Applications are accepted through the event website. Early-bird tickets are available through September 30, 2026.
Languages
Japanese and English, with simultaneous interpretation
Organizers
UnlocX Inc. and The Spoon
The event will be conducted in Japanese and English, with simultaneous interpretation provided throughout.
Ticket types and prices are as follows. The limited-availability VENUE PASS is priced at ¥130,000, or ¥97,500 with the early-bird discount available through September 30, 2026. The ONLINE PASS is priced at ¥40,000, or ¥32,000 with the early-bird discount. The limited-availability VENTURE PASS is priced at ¥30,000, or ¥24,000 with the early-bird discount. It is available to eligible purchasers, including unlisted startups established less than 10 years ago and companies pursuing new business initiatives. The limited-availability STUDENT PASS is priced at ¥10,000 and is available to students under the age of 30 who are enrolled at an educational institution. All early-bird ticket sales end on September 30, 2026.
Three Days to Jointly Create New Food Industries
The conference brings together changemakers from different positions who share an understanding of common challenges and visions for the future of food they want to create. The organizers emphasize full participation over all three days, allowing attendees to listen to the same sessions and engage in repeated dialogue and discussion that can lead to concrete initiatives and action.
Participation is being sought from a wide range of stakeholders across sectors to reconnect technology, culture and talent and create a golden age of industries that generate sustainable value.
