Building Climate-Resilient Cities: What SusHi Tech Tokyo Reveals About the Future of Urban Innovation

Cities across the world are confronting an increasingly complex combination of challenges. Climate change, population growth, ageing infrastructure and natural disasters are forcing governments and industries to rethink how urban systems are designed and managed.

Against this backdrop, innovation platforms such as SusHi Tech Tokyo are placing climate resilience and sustainability at the centre of the conversation.

Organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the annual conference focuses on technologies that can shape the cities of the future. Artificial intelligence, robotics and digital infrastructure are important parts of that vision. However, one of the most significant themes emerging from the event is urban resilience.

Cities on the Climate Front Line

More than half of the global population now lives in cities, and that share is expected to continue growing. Urban areas concentrate economic activity, infrastructure and population density. This also makes them particularly vulnerable to climate risks.

Flooding, heatwaves and extreme weather events increasingly threaten transportation networks, housing and energy systems. Tokyo offers a useful example of how cities are responding to these pressures. As one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas, the city has invested heavily in infrastructure designed to reduce disaster risks.

Technologies showcased at SusHi Tech Tokyo reflect the broader trend of combining physical infrastructure with digital intelligence.

The Role of Technology in Urban Resilience

Startups are playing an increasingly important role in developing solutions that help cities adapt to climate risks. Companies such as Synspective use satellite technology to monitor environmental conditions and assess disaster damage. Synthetic aperture radar satellites can observe the Earth regardless of weather conditions, allowing governments to track flooding, land movement and other environmental changes.

Satellite data combined with artificial intelligence can significantly improve early warning systems and disaster response. Similarly, robotics technologies are being deployed to inspect infrastructure in hazardous environments. Inspection robots can monitor tunnels, bridges and energy facilities without exposing human workers to risk.

These innovations highlight how emerging technologies are increasingly being integrated into urban resilience strategies.

Infrastructure Meets Innovation

Japan’s experience with earthquakes and extreme weather has encouraged significant investment in disaster prevention infrastructure. Tokyo’s underground flood-control systems are among the most sophisticated in the world. These facilities divert excess water during heavy rainfall, reducing flood risk in densely populated areas.

At SusHi Tech Tokyo, participants can explore these infrastructure systems while also examining new technologies designed to complement them. This combination of engineering infrastructure and digital innovation is becoming a model for cities worldwide.

Startups and the Future of Resilience

While governments build large-scale infrastructure, startups are often responsible for developing the specialised technologies that enhance these systems. From climate data analytics to AI-driven urban planning tools, emerging companies are creating solutions that can help cities respond more effectively to environmental risks.

SusHi Tech Tokyo brings these innovators together with policymakers, investors and corporations. The result is a collaborative environment where technologies can move beyond prototypes and begin to influence real-world urban systems.

A Global Conversation

Urban resilience is not a challenge unique to Japan. Cities across Asia, Europe and North America are grappling with similar risks. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, while ageing infrastructure requires modernisation.

Events such as SusHi Tech Tokyo therefore serve as more than just technology showcases. They function as global forums where cities can exchange ideas and collaborate on solutions.

As climate pressures intensify, the ability of cities to adapt and innovate will become one of the defining challenges of the coming decades.

Technology alone cannot solve these challenges. However, when combined with effective policy and infrastructure investment, innovation can play a crucial role in building cities that are more resilient, sustainable and prepared for the future.