Tokyo Showcases Its Approach to OSS at UN Open Source Week 2026

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) participated in UN Open Source Week 2026, an international event hosted by the United Nations（UN）. As part of the Japan Spotlight, TMG delivered a presentation showcasing its approach to Open Source Software (OSS).
The event brought together UN Member States, UN agencies, private sector organizations, civil society, and technical communities from around the world to promote international digital cooperation through OSS. TMG's presentation generated significant interest among participants and highlighted Tokyo's proactive approach to OSS adoption and utilization.

Tokyo’s OSS Strategy and Key Messages from the Presentation

Strong Commitment from Top Leadership
 

Tokyo has actively embraced OSS in its administrative operations. In 2020, the Tokyo COVID-19 Information Website was developed as an open-source project, inspired by Vice Governor Miyasaka's belief that “information should not be monopolized.” Under this vision, the project was subsequently adopted and expanded beyond Tokyo. As a result, the project led to the creation of 67 forked sites worldwide and generated more than 2,400 improvement proposals. It became a prominent example of how OSS can foster collaboration, accelerate development, continuously enhance public services.

Establishing Organizational and Institutional Foundations

To strengthen its in-house digital development capabilities, TMG established GovTechTokyo (GTT) in 2023. GTT is responsible for functions such as copyright management, securing digital talent, and providing technical support to both TMG and municipalities across Tokyo. Through this organizational framework, TMG has expanded its internal development capacity and steadily advanced its digital transformation (DX) efforts.

Promoting Digital Public Goods

TMG and GTT have leveraged the open source tool “Talk to the City” to gather feedback from approximately 27,000 residents. The tool’s architecture and source code have been made publicly available on GitHub, one of the world's largest software development platforms. In addition, TMG has signed MOUs on digital cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Taipei City Government. These partnerships support knowledge-sharing and the exchange of best practices in digital governance across borders.

Message to the International Community and Future Outlook

Under the vision of “Changing Government with Technology, Changing the Future from Tokyo,” TMG has pursued digital initiatives through Collaboration, Sharing, and Partnerships. The presentation at the UN provided a valuable opportunity for TMG to share its experience and insights with the international community while deepening engagement with governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders from diverse countries and regions. Building on these connections, TMG will continue to contribute not only to municipalities across Japan but also to cities worldwide, drawing on the experience and expertise it has developed as Japan’s capital.