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 with early-bird registration 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
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 Meeting9:00–12:00
Location to be shared
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
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
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.
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.
Notable Guests
UW Leaders and Faculty
Ahmad Ezzeddine
Vice Provost
UW Office of Global Affairs
Jody Li
Senior Director, International Initiatives
UW Medicine
Ray Li
Assistant VP
UW Int’l Advancement
Iman Majd
Director, Professor
UW Medicine Osher Center for Integrative Health
Iman Majd
Dr. Iman Majd is a distinguished healthcare professional with a multifaceted career spanning diverse areas of medicine, education, and research. His journey began at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran, where he earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in 1996. Subsequently, he pursued a Master of Science in Acupuncture at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA, USA, graduating in 2005. Dr. Majd’s commitment to advancing his expertise led him to complete a Residency in Acupuncture at Bastyr University’s Department of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine from 2005 to 2007. Dr. Majd sought further specialization in family medicine, completing the University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals Family Medicine Residency in 2012. Throughout his career, he has held various faculty positions, showcasing his dedication to education. Notably, he served as Clinical Adjunct Faculty at Bastyr University from 2005 to 2021 and as a Clinical Instructor and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washingtons Department of Family Medicine from 2012 to 2021. Dr. Majd has made significant contributions to patient care as an Attending Physician at the University of Washington Neighborhood Clinics – Factoria since 2012 and at the University of Washington Medical Center since 2018. In 2021, Dr. Majd assumed the role of Interim Director at the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Washington, later becoming the Director in 2022. He also serves as the Clinic Director at the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Washington in Ballard. His exceptional achievements have been acknowledged through numerous awards, including the prestigious Bastyr Mission Honor award in 2018 and the Gold Circle Award from the American Society of Association Executives in 2020. Dr. Majds leadership roles extend to his involvement in various professional organizations, including the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, where he served as the Chair of the Board of Commissioners and Chair of the Executive Committee. In addition to his clinical and administrative roles, Dr. Majd is actively engaged in research, having secured grants such as the Osher Foundation Grant in 2021 and the RapSDI Grant from the American Academy of Family Physicians in the same year. Dr. Majd is an accomplished author with publications in peer-reviewed journals and contributions to educational curricula. He has also delivered invited talks and presentations on acupuncture, integrative medicine, and healthcare practices at national, regional, and local levels. With an unwavering commitment to integrative health and a distinguished career marked by excellence, Dr. Iman Majd continues to impact the field of medicine through his leadership, education, and patient-centered care.
Tueng T. Shen
Associate Dean, Medical Technology Innovation
UW Medicine | College of Engineering
Yanfang Su
Assistant Professor
Global Health
Yanfang Su
Dr. Yanfang Su is a health economist with more than ten years of work experience in health systems and policy. Dr. Su holds an MA in Public Management from Tsinghua University and an ScD in Global Health and Population within Health Systems track from Harvard University. During her postdoctoral training at the University of Washington, Dr. Su applied econometric methods to health financing and published papers in The Lancet as co-first author and The Lancet Infectious Diseases as first author. Her publications focus on three areas: 1) economic evaluation of healthcare systems, including analysis of equity, supply, demand, costs, and quality; 2) public policy evaluation; and 3) global health and population measures. Dr. Su is the cofounder and the co-director of a new initiative, Learning for Action in Policy Implementation and Health Systems (LAPIS), in the Department of Global Health at University of Washington. Dr. Su is the founder and Board Chair of a non-profit organization, the East West Alliance for Education and Health, which delivered equitable community services and conducted digital health randomized controlled trials in low-resource settings. Dr. Su worked at Tsinghua University and the Hong Kong Policy and Research Institute in China. Dr. Su has consulted for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, and Results for Development on primary health care systems strengthening. Dr. Su is a guest editor for a special issue on policy implementation science in Frontiers in Health Services. Dr. Su is an NIH-funded Implementation Science Scholar (IS-2) and an NIH career development awardee (K01).
Denzil Suite
Vice President
UW Student Life
Denzil Suite
As Vice President for Student Life, Denzil Suite provides leadership for a wide-range of programs and services that support students in their transition to the university and deepen their out-of-class experiences. These programs and services include: Housing and Food Services, Student Activities, Union Facilities, Student Publications, Recreational Sports, Counseling Center, Disability Resources, Career Center, Ceremonies, Greek Relations, Community Standards and Student Conduct and Health and Wellness.
Jihui Yang
Vice Dean
UW College of Engineering
Jihui Yang
Jihui is a Kyocera Professor in MSE and Vice Dean of the College of Engineering. His research focuses on thermoelectric and energy storage materials with an emphasis on the design, synthesis, testing, and understanding of advanced thermoelectric materials and Li-ion battery materials for energy conversion and storage.
He has authored 100 papers, holds 19 US patents, and has established strong research funding from DOE/EERE in recent years including the partnership on battery research with PNNL. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and has received the Campbell award from GM R&D and the DOE INCITE award.
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, ’75
Senior Partner
Hashidate Law Office
Akio Hirao, ’65
Director
Hirao Associates
Eugene Saburi, ’93
Chairman
HRBrain
International Trustee
UWAA Board of Trustees
Makoto Sakashita, ’12
Director, Global Environmental Affairs Office
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
Shuhei Tajima, ’01
Managing Director, Business Management Department
TUSIC
President
UWAA Japan
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, ’83
Row Imamura, ’98
Noriyuki Katayama, ’95
Shu Kuroishi, ’12
Naoki Momma, ’90
Satoru Nagasaka, ’01
Mika Noguchi,’02
Kaori Shindo, ’85
Travel & Accommodations
Hotel
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 (single occupancy) 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.
Learn More About Past UW Converge Events
- UW Converge Hong Kong 2024
- UW Converge Jakarta 2023
- UW Converge Seattle 2022
- UW Converge Virtual 2021
- UW Converge Virtual 2020
- UW Converge Taipei 2019
- UW Converge Tokyo 2018
