Introduction

GovTechTokyo was established to accelerate digital transformation in public administration and create a society where both residents and government staff can experience more convenience and comfortable life. This ambition is shared by cities around the world.  One notable example is the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI), based in London, UK.

Established in 2019, LOTI predates GovTechTokyo by four years. When GovTechTokyo was founded in 2023, LOTI served as an important reference point, offering valuable insights into how a professional, cross-government digital organization can operate effectively.

In early 2026, a representative from LOTI visited GovTechTokyo for an in-depth exchange. The discussion explored what perspectives are essential for municipalities to collaboratively address shared challenges.

 
Polly Kwok of LOTI (left) answering questions from GovTechTokyo staff, and Junichi Hashimoto (right) of GovTechTokyo’s AI & Innovation Office, who served as the moderator.

Why GovTechTokyo Was Needed

Tokyo has long faced challenges such as declining international digital competitiveness and relatively low resident satisfaction with administrative services. To address these issues, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government began strengthening its digital agenda in 2019 by recruiting digital talent, and established the Bureau of Digital Services in 2021.

As these efforts expanded, it became clear that sustainable digital transformation could not rely on isolated project alone. Tokyo needed a strong, professional team of digital experts capable of working closely with municipalities to raise the region’s overall digital capacity. This recognition led to the creation of GovTechTokyo—an organization designed to bring together specialized talent outside the traditional administrative structure while maintaining close collaboration with government.

Learning from LOTI: A Model of Municipal Collaboration

Among global digital transformation organizations, LOTI stood out for its role in fostering collaboration among London’s boroughs. LOTI was founded in response to citywide challenges such as budget constraints, increasing service demand, climate change, homelessness, and social care reform—issues too complex for individual boroughs to address alone. By pooling knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned, LOTI enables municipalities to work together more efficiently, reducing duplication of effort and lowering costs.

What Defines LOTI?

During the visit to Tokyo, Polly Kwok, Communications Manager at LOTI, shared key perspectives on how LOTI functions as a collaborative platform:

LOTI as a space for collaboration

By bringing municipalities together, LOTI helps reduce the burden on individual boroughs with limited budgets and staff. Membership provides access to partners, [PK1.1][郁竹1.2]expertise, and guidance—much like a concierge for innovation.

LOTI as a “buffet” of options

Each municipality has different priorities, from data utilization and AI adoption to workforce development. LOTI prepares a wide range of resources so members can select what best fits their needs, without positioning itself as a top-down support provider.

LOTI as a community, with staff as connectors

LOTI actively connects organizations, leaders, and networks across the public sector, fostering dialogue through platforms such as its thematic communities of practice on data science, AI, smart cities and more.

An action model of Scan → Pilot → Scale

LOTI identifies real municipal needs, tests solutions through pilots, and scales successful initiatives. Balancing municipal priorities with an external, strategic perspective is central to this process.

These principles resonated strongly with GovTechTokyo staff, who recognized the same value in collaboration, shared learning, and avoiding repeated mistakes.

Toward a Shared Global Future

Inspired by LOTI’s emphasis on collaboration, GovTechTokyo has pursued a “co-creation” approach—working alongside municipalities rather than unilaterally providing solutions. In just two years, it has delivered hands-on support to all 62 municipalities in Tokyo, while expanding its team from 13 to over 100 digital professionals.

During the exchange, GovTechTokyo shared initiatives such as its generative AI platform and joint procurement efforts. LOTI expressed strong interest in applying similar approaches in London, highlighting a shift from one-way learning to mutual knowledge sharing.

Guided by the principle “Don’t reinvent the wheel, ” GovTechTokyo aims to share proven solutions and lessons as digital public goods, contributing to cities worldwide through continued international collaboration.