The 11th Autonomous Driving / Sustainable Conference- Sustainable cities and mobility enabled by digital twins -
This presentation introduces the latest features and system development examples of UC-win/Road, which is widely used in advanced research and development areas such as road design, vehicle development, ITS, and ADAS/autonomous driving. The 11th installment will be held as the "Autonomous Driving & Sustainable Conference," featuring speeches from relevant government agencies on the latest trends in autonomous driving projects both domestically and internationally, along with discussions of challenges and future prospects.
President and CEO ITO Yuji
Director of Mobility Digital Transformation Office, Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, METI
Mr. KUROYABU Makoto
Joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2006. Previously responsible for startup policies and coordinating Japan's digital policies at the Digital Agency. Currently holding this position since July 2025.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) formulated the "Mobility DX Strategy," which encompasses digital transformation (DX) across various areas such as Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV), autonomous driving, and data utilization beyond corporate boundaries. This strategy was initially drafted in May 2024 and updated in June 2025, based on discussions between government and private sectors. Since then, intense competition driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and the need for carbon neutrality has led to significant progress in both GX (Green Transformation) and DX. This presentation will introduce METI's initiatives, focusing primarily on the updates made to the strategy and subsequent policy developments.
Director of New-Generation Mobile Communications Office, Radio Department, Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
Mr. TANAKA Takahiro
Joined MIC in 2007. Has been involved in revising laws and regulations, establishing technical standards, promoting technological policies and research and development for next-generation communications, and advancing standardization. Currently holding this position since August 2026.
As expectations for autonomous driving increase, driven by the need to secure local transportation options and address driver shortages, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has compiled the third report from the "Next-Generation ITS Communication Study Group for the Era of Autonomous Driving," scheduled for release in June 2026. This presentation will cover efforts related to establishing a framework for 5.9GHz band V2X communication, enhancing V2N communication, expanding licensing for 700MHz band ITS communication to include local governments and other entities, utilizing local 5G technology, and building business models and ecosystems that go beyond mere demonstrations.
Director of ITS Policy and Program Office, Road Traffic Control Division, Road Bureau, MLIT
Mr. IWAMOTO Masaya
Joined MLIT in 2004. After serving as a first-class clerk in the People's Republic of China and as the director of the Kyoto National Road Office, he assumed his current position in July 2026.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Road Bureau is undertaking initiatives to support the realization of autonomous driving through road infrastructure. This presentation will introduce efforts aimed at achieving Level 4 autonomous driving services, including a "road-vehicle cooperative system" that provides information about road conditions at intersections on regular roads, demonstration experiments for creating driving spaces conducive to autonomous driving, and initiatives related to data linkage between roads and vehicles, as well as the use of autonomous vehicles for road maintenance and management.
Chairman of the "Diet Members' League for Considering Automotive Culture," Member of the House of Representatives
Mr. FURUYA Keiji
He has been elected to the House of Representatives for 13 consecutive terms. He has held various positions, including being the first Minister in charge of National Resilience, former Minister responsible for Disaster Prevention and Abduction Issues, and Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission. He is also the chairman of the Motorsports Promotion Diet Members' League and the honorary advisor to the FORUM8 Rally Japan Executive Committee. In his home region of eastern Gifu Prefecture, he aims to create a region where cutting-edge science and technology are integrated with nature and culture, and he is working towards realizing a model regional city for the future by utilizing the Linear Chuo Shinkansen project, including initiatives such as autonomous driving, attracting graduate schools, practical application of nuclear fusion power generation, and establishing a disaster prevention agency.
Chief Officer/Section Chief, Transportation Policy Section (responsible for promoting the SMI project), Transportation Department, Architectural and Urban Planning Bureau, Sakai City
Mr. YASUI Hiromasa
Born in Osaka in June 1985. In 2013, he joined the Sakai City government and worked on the design and construction supervision of public buildings. From April 2022 to March 2024, he was dispatched to MLIT. In April 2024, he returned to Sakai City and was assigned to a department promoting the introduction of autonomous buses, among other things.
To achieve a sustainable local community, Sakai City is promoting initiatives that utilize digital technologies such as autonomous driving and data utilization. This lecture will introduce practical examples of urban development through public-private partnerships, focusing on the SMI project, which aims to introduce autonomous buses.
FORUM8, Director of Sales and Support
NITTA Junko
In recent years, with the promotion of digital transformation (DX) and the expansion of urban data infrastructure, efforts to connect and integrate vast amounts of independent data are becoming increasingly important. Digital twins are expected to serve as a core component for visualizing and analyzing these datasets, making them easier to understand and utilize.
This presentation will focus on "PLATEAU," the 3D city model being developed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) as a foundation for realizing digital twins, and will introduce cutting-edge initiatives aimed at implementing sustainable smart cities. We will explore the potential and future of digital twins that accelerate data utilization, using concrete examples such as urban planning, town development, pedestrian flow simulation, disaster prevention, and integration with next-generation mobility.
Director of Mobility Digital Transformation Office, Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, METI
Mr. KUROYABU Makoto
Joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2006. Previously responsible for startup policies and coordinating Japan's digital policies at the Digital Agency. Currently holding this position since July 2025.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) formulated the "Mobility DX Strategy," which encompasses digital transformation (DX) across various areas such as Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV), autonomous driving, and data utilization beyond corporate boundaries. This strategy was initially drafted in May 2024 and updated in June 2025, based on discussions between government and private sectors. Since then, intense competition driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and the need for carbon neutrality has led to significant progress in both GX (Green Transformation) and DX. This presentation will introduce METI's initiatives, focusing primarily on the updates made to the strategy and subsequent policy developments.
Director of New-Generation Mobile Communications Office, Radio Department, Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
Mr. TANAKA Takahiro
Joined MIC in 2007. Has been involved in revising laws and regulations, establishing technical standards, promoting technological policies and research and development for next-generation communications, and advancing standardization. Currently holding this position since August 2026.
As expectations for autonomous driving increase, driven by the need to secure local transportation options and address driver shortages, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has compiled the third report from the "Next-Generation ITS Communication Study Group for the Era of Autonomous Driving," scheduled for release in June 2026. This presentation will cover efforts related to establishing a framework for 5.9GHz band V2X communication, enhancing V2N communication, expanding licensing for 700MHz band ITS communication to include local governments and other entities, utilizing local 5G technology, and building business models and ecosystems that go beyond mere demonstrations.
Director of ITS Policy and Program Office, Road Traffic Control Division, Road Bureau, MLIT
Mr. IWAMOTO Masaya
Joined MLIT in 2004. After serving as a first-class clerk in the People's Republic of China and as the director of the Kyoto National Road Office, he assumed his current position in July 2026.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Road Bureau is undertaking initiatives to support the realization of autonomous driving through road infrastructure. This presentation will introduce efforts aimed at achieving Level 4 autonomous driving services, including a "road-vehicle cooperative system" that provides information about road conditions at intersections on regular roads, demonstration experiments for creating driving spaces conducive to autonomous driving, and initiatives related to data linkage between roads and vehicles, as well as the use of autonomous vehicles for road maintenance and management.
Chairman of the "Diet Members' League for Considering Automotive Culture," Member of the House of Representatives
Mr. FURUYA Keiji
He has been elected to the House of Representatives for 13 consecutive terms. He has held various positions, including being the first Minister in charge of National Resilience, former Minister responsible for Disaster Prevention and Abduction Issues, and Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission. He is also the chairman of the Motorsports Promotion Diet Members' League and the honorary advisor to the FORUM8 Rally Japan Executive Committee. In his home region of eastern Gifu Prefecture, he aims to create a region where cutting-edge science and technology are integrated with nature and culture, and he is working towards realizing a model regional city for the future by utilizing the Linear Chuo Shinkansen project, including initiatives such as autonomous driving, attracting graduate schools, practical application of nuclear fusion power generation, and establishing a disaster prevention agency.
Chief Officer/Section Chief, Transportation Policy Section (responsible for promoting the SMI project), Transportation Department, Architectural and Urban Planning Bureau, Sakai City
Mr. YASUI Hiromasa
Born in Osaka in June 1985. In 2013, he joined the Sakai City government and worked on the design and construction supervision of public buildings. From April 2022 to March 2024, he was dispatched to MLIT. In April 2024, he returned to Sakai City and was assigned to a department promoting the introduction of autonomous buses, among other things.
To achieve a sustainable local community, Sakai City is promoting initiatives that utilize digital technologies such as autonomous driving and data utilization. This lecture will introduce practical examples of urban development through public-private partnerships, focusing on the SMI project, which aims to introduce autonomous buses.
FORUM8, Director of Sales and Support
NITTA Junko
In recent years, with the promotion of digital transformation (DX) and the expansion of urban data infrastructure, efforts to connect and integrate vast amounts of independent data are becoming increasingly important. Digital twins are expected to serve as a core component for visualizing and analyzing these datasets, making them easier to understand and utilize.
This presentation will focus on "PLATEAU," the 3D city model being developed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) as a foundation for realizing digital twins, and will introduce cutting-edge initiatives aimed at implementing sustainable smart cities. We will explore the potential and future of digital twins that accelerate data utilization, using concrete examples such as urban planning, town development, pedestrian flow simulation, disaster prevention, and integration with next-generation mobility.
FORUM8, Executive Officer, Senior Development Manager
Yoann Pencreach
Sustainable mobility is achieved through a series of processes, including planning, design, operation, needs assessment, and continuous improvement and maintenance of systems, all implemented efficiently. FORUM8 is developing and providing simulation, VR, and cloud platforms to comprehensively support all these steps. Furthermore, integration with AI tools promotes improved operational efficiency and enhanced services. This presentation will introduce the latest features and technological advancements in FORUM8's platform suite. Specifically, we will explain the technology for handling large spaces in F8VPS, use cases and new features of FORUMSync, and the AI support functions and new simulation creation features of UC-win/Road. Finally, we will discuss the prospects and expected effects that these technologies will bring to the future of the mobility sector.
The 25th 3D VR Simulation Contest on Cloud Awards Ceremony
A variety of 3D VR works and systems using UC-win/Road and Metavania F8VPS!
"3D-VR Simulation Contest on Cloud" is the competition between international and domestic contestants to see who can create the most advanced VR simulation. UC-win/Road has been used in various fields from civil engineering/- construction, to driving/traffic simulation, environmental assessment and disaster management. In a recent years, its fields of application and possibilities have been expanded to even educational training and new applications using the metaverse. The 5th "VR SYSTEM OF THE YEAR" will also be selected by the VR Promotion Council.
Past Award Winners
Award
Grand Prix (Highest Award)
High-performance gaming laptop GALLERIA RL7C-R55-5N, Shopping gift card designed with FORUM8 Rally Japan (JPY100,000), Trophy
2nd Prize (Excellent Award)
Gaming laptop GALLERIA RL7C-R35-5N, Shopping gift card designed with FORUM8 Rally Japan (JPY50,000)
Idea/Essence Award
Shade3D Game Programming PC, Shopping gift card designed with FORUM8 Rally Japan (JPY30,000)
Honorable Judge Award
iPad (128GB), Shopping gift card designed with FORUM8 Rally Japan (JPY30,000)
Nomination Award
Plaque, Shopping gift card designed with FORUM8 Rally Japan (JPY10,000)
The VR Promotion Council, which judges the VR SYSTEM OF THE YEAR award (2022-), works to develop and provide a virtual platform using VR, as well as to utilize it in various industrial fields in collaboration with local governments and other organizations.
VR System of the Year Prize
Trophy
Shopping gift card (JPY20,000)
PCs are provided by Thirdwave.
Schedule
Fri. Oct. 16
Deadline for Application
Tue. Oct. 27
Nomination Work Screening
Wed. Nov. 4 - Thu. Nov. 12
General Voting Period
Vote via VR-Cloud®!
https://vrcon.forum8.co.jp/2026/index-en.html
We will grant FPB1000pt to all users that viewed and voted online their favorite VR data, which are submitted for the contest's evaluation, shown on the webpage that can be accessed from their User Information Page!
Tue. Nov. 17
Award Winning Selection
A new book published by FORUM8 Publishing along with Design Festival 2026 will be introduced. The author of the new book will introduce its contents.
Learn Security in 1 day - Official Guidebook for Expression Technology Certification Exam
(To be released in 2026)
FORUM8 Advisor
KOYA Shingo
This introductory book on information security is designed for professionals in construction and urban development, covering everything from basic knowledge and databases to cloud/AI, XR technology, on-site countermeasures, smart cities, and troubleshooting ỳ all within a single day.
- Revised Books -
Learn Construction ICT in 1day
- Official Guidebook for Expression Technology Certification Exam
INAGAKI Tatsuoki
Pave & Road How-To Way Technology Association
Learn Cloud AI in 1day
- Official Guidebook for Expression Technology Certification Exam
KOBAYASHI Yoshihiro
Assoc. Teaching Professor, Arizona State University
Learn XR/AI/Digital Twin/Metaverse in 1day
- Technologies and Applications Connecting the Physical and Digital Worlds -
- Official Guidebook for Expression Technology Certification Exam
FUKUDA Tomohiro
Professor, Osaka University
Venue: Foyer
We will hold a networking party at the end of Day 1. As a communication and information sharing event, our development managers and support managers will also be in attendance. In addition, we will present a VR performance as part of the party content. Everyone, please join us. We are looking forward to having you attend.
* Participation in the party is open to users or by invitation from a sales representative.
