Ericsson Japan launches “Enter New Horizons” in collaboration with the University of Tokyo to explore Japan’s future

Ericsson Japan K.K. (“Ericsson Japan”) has launched “Enter New Horizons” in Japan in collaboration with the University of Tokyo. Through dialogue with diverse stakeholders, the initiative explores how connectivity and AI can help Japan respond to challenges such as demographic change and the maintenance of social infrastructure, while also contributing to new growth. The initiative is being undertaken on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC).

As the first phase of the initiative, Ericsson Japan held a two-day co-creation workshop in Tokyo on July 9–10, 2026, bringing together Ericsson Japan employees and students from the University of Tokyo to begin developing future scenarios for Japanese society around 2035.

The outcomes of the initiative will be presented through video and exhibition content to customers, partners and media at the end of September 2026, and will also be published on Ericsson’s official website and other platforms. 

 

Photo: Workshop involving Ericsson Japan employees and University of Tokyo students

At the workshop, students from the University of Tokyo and Ericsson Japan employees discussed the possibilities that connectivity and AI could open up for Japanese society. They explored future scenarios for Japanese society around 2035 across four themes: manufacturing, infrastructure and energy, mobility, and regional sustainability.

Going forward, with advice from Associate Professor Yukino Baba of the University of Tokyo, who specializes in AI and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), and Professor Shinji Kajitani, who specializes in philosophy and dialogue, Ericsson will work with local governments and partner companies to further develop these future scenarios from multiple perspectives, including social issues, technological advances, and people’s lives and values. 

Through this initiative, Ericsson aims to demonstrate the role and potential of high-performing, reliable mobile networks that will be essential in the AI and 6G era, and to contribute as a partner supporting the development of Japan’s digital society.

Fumitaka Mafune, Professor at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences / College of Arts and Sciences and Head of the Social Collaboration Division at the Center for the Advancement of Higher Education in Liberal Arts, the University of Tokyo, serves as coordinator of the “Liberal Arts Innovation Village,” a community within the College of Arts and Sciences exploring social innovation grounded in the liberal arts and collaborating on this project. He says: 
“The University of Tokyo places great importance on connecting academic knowledge with society and addressing increasingly complex social issues from multiple perspectives. It is highly meaningful that students had the opportunity to discuss, together with Ericsson, what Japanese society around 2035 could look like when supported by connectivity and AI. Ericsson has long been a global leader in communications technology. The combination of AI and connectivity not only provides a foundation for industry and everyday life, but also offers important perspectives for thinking about society, including regional communities, healthcare, mobility and infrastructure. We hope this workshop will provide students with an opportunity to connect the potential of technology with social issues and help foster dialogue about a better future for society.”

Hiroaki Ando, President and Representative Director of Ericsson Japan, says: “I am very pleased that we are able to launch ‘Enter New Horizons’ in Japan as Ericsson marks its 150th anniversary. Starting with our workshop with the University of Tokyo, we will broaden our dialogue with communications service providers, companies, local governments and academic institutions as we explore new possibilities together. By turning these dialogues into new initiatives for the future, we aim to contribute to the realization of a sustainable and prosperous society in Japan.”

Jawad Manssour, President and Representative Director of Ericsson Japan, says: “As AI and autonomous systems are deployed more widely across industry and society, high-performance, reliable connectivity becomes essential for enabling them to operate safely and at scale. For 150 years, Ericsson has supported the development of society and industry through innovation in communications technology. Building on this history and expertise, we will continue to enhance the performance and reliability of mobile networks as they evolve from 5G to AI-native 6G, while deepening collaboration with customers, partners and academia in Japan to help build the digital infrastructure that supports society in the AI era.”