pmconf 2026 (Product Manager Conference)
Overview
Japan's largest product management conference. It contributes to the advancement of product management through knowledge sharing and case study presentations by PMs and PdMs. In 2025, held in Osaka (November) and Tokyo (December). Top PMs from Japan and abroad take the stage.
Foundation
- Founded
- 2016
- Founder
- pmconf Executive Committee (Product Manager community volunteers)
Founded to expand awareness of product management in Japan and build a practitioner community
Transition
- 2016 First pmconf held
- 2020 Moved online during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2023 In-person format resumed
- 2025 Shifted to a two-city format across Osaka and Tokyo
Voices
One of the few Japanese-language conferences where you can deepen your PM career and practical knowledge.
Hearing real-world examples of how PMs at other companies make decisions was very insightful.
Took home lessons on saying no well and balancing short and long term to move products forward (from Ayano Iida's report, in Japanese)
Reflected on what PMs should be when AI lets anyone build products, designing decisions and owning problems (from Shun's report, in Japanese)
In the News
ProductZine Day 2026
The fifth edition of the annual conference run by ProductZine, Shoeisha's product management media. Under the theme of the chaos product managers face in the AI era and how to systematize their work, it offers eight free sessions covering discovery, strategy, analytics and talent development, plus small-group discussions with speakers and a networking reception aimed at in-house product managers.
AI Expo Summer 2026
The summer edition of the AI-focused exhibition hosted by AIsmiley, operator of Japan's AI portal media. Over 100 companies present 200+ AI solutions alongside 40+ conference sessions. Following the Spring 2026 edition at Tokyo International Forum, it moves to Sankaku Hiroba at the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building. Free to attend, it serves companies comparing generative AI and AI agent products.
Innovation Japan 2026 (University Trade Fair)
Japan's largest university-industry matching event, hosted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Patented technology seeds from universities nationwide are exhibited for matching with corporate R&D and new business teams. The 2025 edition drew about 14,000 visitors to 291 exhibited seeds. Less a startup conference and more a trade fair that seeds technology transfer and joint research.