Tsukuba Science City is Japan's largest science city and a cosmopolitan city with a large foreign resident population, making it a frequent host for international conferences.
In 2016, the G7 Science and Technology Ministers’ Meeting in Tsukuba, Ibaraki was held. From May 15 to 17 of that year, science and technology ministers from G7 nations and the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation attended to discuss challenges such as responding to an aging society, marine conservation, innovative energy technologies, inclusive innovation, and open science. The discussions resulted in the “Tsukuba Communiqué (Joint Statement),” which included international cooperation on disaster risk, serving as an opportunity to showcase Japan's science and technology diplomacy.
In October 2018, the “17th World Lakes Conference (Lake Kasumigaura, Ibaraki, 2018)” was held, attracting approximately 5,500 participants. The conference theme was “Harmonious Coexistence of Humans and Lakes -Toward Sustainable Ecosystem Services-.” On the final day, the “Ibaraki Kasumigaura Declaration 2018” was adopted, confirming the commitment to sound lake management and the sustainable enjoyment of ecosystem services.
In 2019, the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy in Tsukuba, Ibaraki was held. From June 8 to 9, 2019, a ministerial meeting was convened in conjunction with the 2019 G20 Osaka Summit. As trade and the digital economy became integrated issues, ministers from both fields gathered for the first time to discuss topics such as free data flow and the utilization of AI and IoT technologies, culminating in the adoption of a ministerial statement. Japan hosted this meeting as the chair country, aiming to communicate its efforts to solve global challenges from Tsukuba City, a hub of science and technology, to the world.
Tsukuba Conference, held biennially since 2019, is an international conference in Tsukuba Science City that brings together talented young professionals from industry, government, and academia from around the world. Its purpose is to form networks and explore future solutions through discussions on various societal and scientific challenges.
The conference features keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and more, where participants share insights on the latest research findings and societal issues. The theme of the fourth conference in 2025 was "Going into New Frontiers with Society." Over the three days starting October 1, discussions were held on a wide range of topics including space, the brain, nuclear fusion, hydrogen energy, AI, and the Global South.
Tsukuba boasts core facilities like the Tsukuba International Congress Center, which has hosted numerous international conferences, alongside other city convention facilities. These venues host a wide range of events, including international conferences, competitions, and corporate training sessions.