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International Huskies

UW Converge Tokyo

February 28, 2026      

Tokyo, Japan

Shinagawa Prince Hotel Annex Tower
4 Chome-10-30 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo 108-8611, Japan

Registration is Open for UW Converge Tokyo!

General Admission: $200 USD — Save $25 by registering before 12/1/2025!
Student & Recent Graduates: $150 USD

In 2026, the UW’s premier gathering for our global community of alumni and friends returns to Tokyo. Get ready to experience the vibrant culture and dynamic energy of the first city ever to host Converge twice! At our summit and reception, you’ll enjoy the unrivaled access, education and connection you expect from our annual UW Converge gatherings.

This year’s UW Converge will be hosted in partnership with the Japan Huskies and will include multiple opportunities to connect with them while discovering the city’s culture and traditions.

This annual tradition is an outpost of Husky spirit abroad, not to mention an unmatched opportunity to connect with UW faculty and leadership. Be a part of UW’s global community and leave equipped with new knowledge and networks.

Need more inspiration? Watch the highlights from UW Converge Hong King 2024!


Schedule

Friday, February 27
Pre-event ProgrammingTimes Coming Soon
Locations Coming Soon

Join us at special events hosted by the UW’s schools, colleges and partners. Gather with alumni of your department or explore exciting new topics. These special welcome events will help build your excitement for the main event while getting you into the UW Converge spirit ahead of time.

Saturday, February 28

UW Converge Summit9:30–17:00
Prince Hotel Shinagawa, Main Banquet “Prince Hall”, Annex Tower 5th floor

Join us at our day-long summit as expert speakers and panelists share their knowledge and insight.

UW Converge Reception17:00–21:00
Prince Hotel Shinagawa, Main Banquet “Prince Hall”, Annex Tower 5th floor

After the summit, it’s time to celebrate! Join us for an enchanting evening of food and fun.

Sunday, March 1

UW International Chapter Board Meeting

Board members of the UW’s international alumni chapters are invited to gather for a morning session, sharing insight and vision.

Optional ExcursionsTimes Coming Soon
Locations Coming Soon

Check back for details on exciting activities and outings to make the most of your time in Tokyo.


UW Converge Tokyo Summit & Reception

A toast from the UW Converge Hong Kong stage

Attendees at last year’s UW Converge Summit & Reception in Hong Kong

February 28 Schedule

🞇 Summit

9:30 Doors open

10:00 Summit begins

12:30 Lunch

17:00 Summit closes

🞇 Reception

17:00 Break/cocktail hour

18:00 Reception program begins

18:30 Dinner

21:00 Reception ends

Schedule subject to change

Summit

At the Forefront: Insights on Business, Technology and Global Collaboration

At our UW Converge Summit, leading experts and innovators will explore the forces shaping our shared future. Gain insights as University of Washington faculty join esteemed alumni and industry leaders from around the world to examine critical issues at the intersection of global finance, cutting-edge research and cross-Pacific collaboration. This dynamic program will offer a rare chance to learn directly from thought leaders across sectors while celebrating the powerful connections between the UW and Japan.

Together we’ll explore economic trends, the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and semiconductor technology, and the transformative impact of startups on global industries. We’ll also pull back the curtain on exciting UW–Japan partnerships that amplify collective impact through philanthropy, collaboration and innovation. The program will conclude with a deans’ roundtable, offering an inside look at how the UW is addressing challenges and creating opportunities through interdisciplinary leadership on campus.

Reception

As the lights of Tokyo come alive, the celebration begins! Connect with UW faculty and leaders, speakers, fellow alumni and VIPs. Experience distinctly Japanese musical performances and join in the celebratory kagami biraki sake barrel opening and toast. This exclusive reception will also feature a special program honoring esteemed alumni and dinner with friends new and old. Don’t miss this annual celebration of the global Husky community.

See who’s already registered by viewing our attendee list.


Summit Speakers & Programming

A portrait of David Baker with the words "Summit Keynote"

We are honored to announce that Nobel Prize–winning biochemist David Baker (bio), director of the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington, will join us live from Seattle and deliver our UW Converge Summit keynote address. He will share insights into the groundbreaking research that earned him the Nobel Prize, exploring its profound implications for health, technology and global collaboration. His virtual keynote will feature an interactive component designed specifically for our UW Converge Tokyo audience, offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with one of the world’s foremost scientific innovators.

Portrait of panel speakers overlaid with the words "UW Deans Panel"

To close our UW Converge Summit, senior University leaders will bring the day’s themes into focus. From artificial intelligence and global finance to geopolitics and partnerships in Japan, this discussion will highlight how the UW’s innovation ecosystem and cross-disciplinary research shape solutions to global challenges. Moderated by Paul Rucker, ’95, ’02 (bio), executive director of the UW Alumni Association, the panel features Frank Hodge (bio), dean of the Foster School of Business, Nancy Albritton (bio), dean of the College of Engineering, and Tamara Lawson (bio), dean of the School of Law. Don’t miss insights from world-class academic leaders whose schools and colleges are setting the agenda for innovation and impact worldwide.
"More Panels Coming Soon"


Notable Guests

UW Leaders and Faculty

Ahmad Ezzeddine

Ahmad Ezzeddine

Vice Provost
UW Office of Global Affairs

Jody Li

Senior Director, International Initiatives
UW Medicine

Ray Li

Ray Li

Assistant VP
UW Int’l Advancement

image

Iman Majd

Director, Professor
UW Medicine Osher Center for Integrative Health

Tueng Shen

Tueng T. Shen

Associate Dean, Medical Technology Innovation
UW Medicine | College of Engineering

image

Yanfang Su

Assistant Professor
Global Health

image

Denzil Suite

Vice President
UW Student Life

image

Jihui Yang

Vice Dean
UW College of Engineering


More UW leaders and faculty coming soon.

UW Converge Tokyo Executive Committee Members

We want to extend a special thanks to our UW Converge Tokyo Executive Committee members. Without their hospitality and expertise, this event wouldn’t be possible.

Kenji Hashidate

Kenji Hashidate, ’75

Senior Partner
Hashidate Law Office

Akio Hirao

Akio Hirao, ’65

Director
Hirao Associates

Eugene Saburi

Eugene Saburi, ’93

Chairman
HRBrain

International Trustee
UWAA Board of Trustees

Makoto Sakashita

Makoto Sakashita, ’12

Director, Global Environmental Affairs Office
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan

Shuhei Tajima

Shuhei Tajima, ’01

Managing Director, Business Management Department
TUSIC

President
UWAA Japan

Toshiko Takenaka

Toshiko Takenaka, ’92

Prof. of Technology Law
WA Research Foundation


More committee members coming soon.

Planning Committee

UW Converge Tokyo wouldn’t happen without the tireless work of host country volunteers who give generously of their time and expertise.

Stan Aoyama

Stan Aoyama, ’83

Row Imamura

Row Imamura, ’98

Noriyuki Katayama

Noriyuki Katayama, ’95

Shu Kuroishi

Shu Kuroishi, ’12

Naoki Momma

Naoki Momma, ’90

Satoru Nagasaka

Satoru Nagasaka, ’01

Mika Noguchi

Mika Noguchi,’02

Kaori Shindo

Kaori Shindo, ’85


Travel & Accommodations

Hotel

The lobby of the Grand Prince Shin Takanawa. Courtesy Prince Hotels.

UW Converge guests can enjoy a special room rate at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa, an elegant retreat in the heart of Tokyo. It is located just a 10-minute walk or short shuttle ride from the Prince Hotel Shinagawa, the site of the UW Converge Summit and Reception. The property offers convenience and modern comfort surrounded by serene Japanese gardens.

Through the UW Converge registration process, attendees may book a two-night package (Feb. 27–March 1) at the exclusive rate of ¥42,433 per night, including breakfast. This discounted rate is only available when bundled with summit and reception registration. Guests wishing to extend their stay or book outside these dates should contact the hotel directly.

Please note: There are several, similarly named hotels in the nearby area. Our UW Converge hotel block is at the Grand Price Hotel Shin Takanawa and NOT the Grand Price Hotel Takanawa. The UW Converge Summit and Reception take place at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Annex Tower

Excursions & Activities

March 1, 2026
Wrap up your UW Converge Tokyo experience with a casual, small-group outing led by local volunteers. These tours will offer a chance to explore Tokyo through the eyes of those who know it best, with stops at their favorite neighborhoods, shops and eateries. All tours will begin and end at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. It will be a great way to connect with fellow Huskies, experience Japanese culture, and enjoy a relaxed, local perspective on the city.
Tour details coming soon.


Sponsors & Partners

UW Converge is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors and partners.
Sponsors coming soon.

Become a UW Converge Sponsor

Interested in getting your brand in front of a truly global community of innovators, leaders and thinkers? Consider becoming a UW Converge Tokyo sponsor and supporting the University of Washington’s international impact. For more information, contact UW Assistant Vice President for International Advancement, Ray Li at rayli@uw.edu.


About UW Converge

UW Converge is the University of Washington’s signature event for international alumni and friends. Each year it is hosted in a global city by one of our international alumni communities and UW’s International Advancement team. It offers direct connection to the UW, its faculty and leadership, and its global alumni network. It is an outpost of Husky Spirit, a place to gain cutting-edge knowledge from experts, and a link to the University’s work and initiatives.

Conference Policies

Registration and refunds

Registrations canceled before 12/5/2025 are eligible for a full refund. Registrations canceled before 1/28/2026 are eligible for a 50-percent refund. Registrations canceled on or after 1/28/2026 will not be refunded.

Data and Privacy Policies

By registering for this event, you acknowledge that your personal information will be collected and processed by the University of Washington in the United States for purposes related to event management, communications, payment processing and engagement. Your contact information may be shared with the University of Washington Alumni Association of Japan. To learn more about how your information is used, stored and protected, please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Additionally, you grant the University of Washington and its representatives permission to record, photograph, and use your image, name and voice for purposes including education, promotion, and outreach, in any media now known or later developed, worldwide and in perpetuity, without compensation. You waive any rights to inspect or approve such use and release the University from any claims related to these uses.

International Advancement

UW Converge is organized by the University of Washington’s International Advancement team, headed by Ray Li, Assistant Vice President for International Advancement. Each year, we collaborate closely with our host chapter to plan UW Converge. Our team is dedicated to fostering meaningful engagement for international alumni and friends while nurturing a spirit of philanthropy aligned with the University’s mission to create positive impact for Washington and for the world.

Ray Li

Ray Li

Assistant VP
Int’l Advancement

rayli@uw.edu

Gigi Do

Gigi Do

Director
Development

gigido@uw.edu

Doug Wallack

Doug Wallack

Assistant Director
Alumni Relations

wallack@uw.edu

Marianne Kim

Marianne Kim

Assistant Director
Events

yejikim@uw.edu

Learn More About Past UW Converge Events