GITI Forum 2025 Highlights Japan's 6G Vision and NTN Strategy

Waseda University's Global Information and Telecommunication Institute (GITI) recently hosted its annual forum on the theme of 6G and non-terrestrial network technologies, including space communications. Held on 27 June 2025 at the university’s International Conference Centre, the event brought together experts from academia, industry and research institutions to discuss Japan’s ambitions and strategies in the evolving global landscape of next-generation connectivity.

The GITI Forum 2025 focused on initiatives under the Beyond 5G banner, where Japan is seeking to assert its influence in key areas of wireless innovation. The opening address from Professor Kaoru Shimamoto set the stage by emphasising the urgency of early engagement in global standardisation and development. With multiple initiatives progressing under frameworks like 3GPP 5G-Advanced, the US-led NEXT-G Alliance and ITU’s IMT-2030, there is growing concern that a delayed response could erode Japan’s influence in shaping future mobile systems.

A key message throughout the forum was the increasing importance of non-terrestrial networks. NTN refers to communication technologies that extend beyond terrestrial infrastructure and include satellites, high altitude platforms and other space-based systems. As satellite mega-constellations from firms like Starlink grow rapidly, questions around spectrum allocation, global governance and strategic autonomy have taken centre stage. Unlike traditional government-led infrastructure efforts, these commercial deployments are progressing at unprecedented speed and scale, raising concerns about future monopolistic control over critical communication assets.

Morio Toyoshima from NICT provided a comprehensive overview of NTN research trends for Beyond 5G and 6G, highlighting the importance of optical and radio hybrid systems, low-latency satellite relays and interoperability across layers. His keynote reflected Japan’s long-standing expertise in satellite communications and its intention to lead in future NTN system architectures.

Industry participation further enriched the discussion. KDDI outlined its strategic approach to space communications and detailed its work on integrating satellite technologies into mobile networks. SoftBank discussed how mobile infrastructure will evolve in the 6G era, especially with regard to supporting diverse use cases beyond enhanced mobile broadband. Sony presented its initiatives in communication technologies and standardisation, reflecting the role of consumer electronics firms in shaping 6G networks.

One of the most anticipated talks came from SKY Perfect JSAT, who shared insights into the next generation of satellite systems. Their focus was on achieving high capacity and real-time performance through improved orbital designs and on-board processing. Huawei, meanwhile, presented its view on wireless innovation beyond human-centric connectivity. Its emphasis was on intelligent systems that connect machines, sensors and environments to support a truly smart society.

The day concluded with a panel discussion that synthesised the different perspectives offered throughout the forum. Topics included Japan’s competitive positioning, the balance between terrestrial and non-terrestrial investments, and the need for bold policy frameworks to foster domestic innovation. Moderated by Professor Shimamoto, the panel underlined that while technical leadership is vital, so too is the ability to make agile, forward-looking decisions that align with international developments.

Videos from the forum are being made available for a limited time, offering a valuable opportunity to catch up on the sessions. All materials and videos are in Japanese. While the presentations can be easily translated to English using tools like Google Translate, the videos do not include English subtitles. Details here.

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