Theme: Imaginarium

Welcome to the Imaginarium.

A space where innovators run wild with the freedom to grow dreams into groundbreaking innovations.
A haven where dreamers are allowed to challenge boundaries, societal pressure and transform reality.

Here, we reimagine reality and past decisions, constantly asking “What if?” to craft solutions that inspire change and improve our lives
Here, we trust in the uncertainty and the novelty of imagination, where the world’s most exciting ideas wait quietly

We invite you to take your first step into each other’s “imaginariums”; immerse yourself in a mosaic of stories, ideas, and breakthroughs. Challenge your own ideal: first, through the minds of our innovators. Then, through the journey of exploring your own imaginations.

So, what are you waiting for, Imaginators?
The door to the Imaginarium awaits.
The only boundary is the edge of your imagination.

FREUDE by BMW
FREUDE by BMW ヒルズ タワープラザ, 1 Chome−3−1, Azabudai
Minato City, Tôkyô, 1060041
Japan

Atsuko Hayakawa

Professor and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Internal Affairs at Tsuda University

Language is more than just a tool—it’s the heart of human communication. With thousands of languages worldwide, translation plays a vital role in bridging cultures and people. Atsuko Hayakawa, professor and Vice President of Academic Affairs and International Affairs at Tsuda University renowned in translation studies, explores how this dynamic field connects communities to foster global understanding. Through understanding the historical and modern realities of this field, she invites you on a journey to explore the intersection of translation and innovation.

Janelle Sasaki

Director of Brand, Network and Communications

Sometimes, all it takes is a mentor who sees your potential. From growing up on a peach farm in rural California to becoming a Director of Brand, Marketing & Communications at EY Japan, Janelle Sasaki’s stories remind us that confidence is the bridge between who you are now and where you want to be. Join Janelle as she shares her innovative strategy to build a “confidence” network.

Katsuhiro Sato

Professor

What comes after innovation has delivered all the convenience we could ask for? Professor Katsuhiro Sato invites us to rethink the very purpose of innovation in an era shaped by AI and the technological singularity. As traditional innovations approach their limits, he argues that the next frontier lies not in efficiency, but in the pursuit of personal fulfillment, joy, and meaning. Envisioning a future built around small, value-driven communities, Professor Sato sees true innovation emerging not from technology itself, but from individuals seeking beauty, well-being, and shared human aspirations.

Keisuke Watanabe

Project Director, "Steenz"

When do we stop being “young”? Obviously, it’s our age that determines it, right? Nope! Project director of Steenz, a media and community focused on youth, Keisuke Watanabe challenges this definition of “youth” and what it means to be “young” in this growing era. He will draw upon his experiences working with young adults and the creative actions that they took that we could adapt in our lives. His talk will implore us to go beyond the standard definition of “youth.”

Steven Oh

Student

Art? Robots? Two completely different things on opposite sides of the industry. Steven Oh, however, combines both of them in this inspiring talk and display. Sharing his journey of discovering the unique combination of two unexpected fields, Steven Oh will captivate you with his storytelling and show you that sometimes, merging two unexpected things could lead to an amazing innovation.

Yuna Watanabe

Student

What if knitting could do more than create scarves and sweaters? Discover the hidden power of knitting as a new form of a "language" that bridges people in its unique way. In this inspiring talk, gender studies scholar and passionate knitter Yuna Watanabe reveals how knitting departs from its gendered history to its recent capacity for dismantling existing gender hierarchies. Yuna showcases knitting as an incredible medium for identity expression, as well as for forming community and conversation. Prepare to witness knitting in a whole new light and learn how its stitches can weave connections, amplify voices, and rebuild loops of trust in our divided world.