VoicePing provided real-time AI translation services at “Japan Summit 2024,” hosted by Plug and Play Japan, showcasing new possibilities for multilingual communication in multinational events. “Japan Summit 2024” was the largest in its history, welcoming over 2,000 participants and serving as a platform to foster collaboration between startups and large corporations. In this article, we spoke with Ito and Shiomori from Plug and Play Japan, who regularly use VoicePing, to learn more about the event’s background and how VoicePing was utilized.
(The interview was conducted in the VoicePing meeting room! Introduction of Ito and Shiomori, along with an overview of Japan Summit 2024)
Could you briefly introduce yourselves? Please tell us about your roles at Plug and Play Japan and your responsibilities for the Japan Summit 2024 event.
Thank you. Could you give us a brief introduction to Japan Summit 2024?
Ito: The event was held under the name “Japan Summit,” and we organize similar events in this format once or twice annually on a regular basis.
Regarding the purpose of this event, we provide an innovation platform within the startup ecosystem. As part of this effort, we support the scale-up of startups and promote open innovation among large corporations. The “Japan Summit” is positioned as one of the key initiatives within these activities.
Specifically, this event serves as a platform to share insights on emerging startup trends and the latest advancements in technology with a diverse audience, including investors, large corporations, local governments, and media professionals who have a keen interest in these topics.
There was a large turnout at this year’s event. Could you share some details about the scale of the event and the characteristics of the participants?
Ito: This event welcomed over 2,000 attendees.
The participants came from a wide range of backgrounds, including individuals responsible for new business development at corporations, those aiming to collaborate with startups, as well as representatives from startups, venture capital firms, investors, local government officials, and even some students. The event attracted people of various ages and diverse professional backgrounds.
What Made Japan Summit 2024 Special?
Ito: One of the most distinctive aspects of the Japan Summit is its sheer scale. Compared to other events, it stands out as an exceptionally large gathering.
While we regularly host numerous events that facilitate information sharing among startups or serve as platforms to introduce startup technologies to large corporations, these are often smaller in scale and focused on specific themes. In contrast, the Japan Summit is designed to contribute to the broader ecosystem by providing comprehensive insights and fostering connections across a wider spectrum.
How would you evaluate the outcomes of the event?
Ito: I believe the event was a tremendous success. Not only did we achieve the largest scale in the event’s history, but we were also able to offer an extensive number of sessions, which made it particularly fulfilling for us as organizers. Furthermore, post-event surveys revealed a high level of satisfaction among many participants, which further reinforced the positive outcome.
Balancing Translation Accuracy and Usability: Why VoicePing Was Chosen for Japan Summit 2024
(Ito Discusses the Background of VoicePing’s Adoption)
What challenges did you face before adopting VoicePing? Could you also share why it was chosen for Japan Summit 2024?
Ito: At Plug and Play Japan, we have been utilizing VoicePing’s service regularly due to its high level of accuracy and reliability in translation. For this Summit, where the number of participants and sessions was exceptionally large, ensuring clear communication was crucial. When international speakers presented, it was important for Japanese attendees to fully grasp the content in their language. Similarly, with a significant number of international guests attending, it was vital to provide accurate and comprehensible information to help them understand Japan and its ecosystem. This need for precise and accessible communication was the primary reason we turned to VoicePing for support.
VoicePing was implemented in two session stages and two pitch sessions during the event. After considering practical aspects such as cost efficiency and equipment preparation, we concluded that VoicePing was the most effective solution, leading to its adoption.
(VoicePing Subtitles Displayed on Sub-Monitors: Smooth Translation During Talk Sessions)
How was VoicePing utilized during the event?
(VoicePing Enables Non-Japanese Speakers to Actively Participate in the Event)
Given that the event was held in Japan, was Japanese-to-English translation the most frequently used feature?
Ito: While the primary interaction was conducted in English and Japanese, there were guests who used other languages. This included participants from China, Korea, and Taiwan, as well as attendees from Mongolia due to sessions related to Mongolia. Additionally, there were several guests from Europe.
Given the diverse linguistic backgrounds, it was challenging to track which language each individual was using. In this regard, the advantages of utilizing VoicePing were particularly evident. Unlike traditional simultaneous interpretation, which typically supports only one language at a time, VoicePing’s ability to integrate multiple languages into a single channel proved to be incredibly convenient and effective.
Do you have any feedback about VoicePing?
Ito: On the day of the event, both Shiomori and I were constantly on the move within the venue, so we didn’t have much time to closely observe the details on-site. However, I did visit the pitch session room on the second floor several times and was able to confirm that the translations were running smoothly.
After completing their presentations, some speakers attended other sessions as guests and had the opportunity to view the translations as well. When I spoke with the on-site staff, they shared that many attendees found the translations highly useful and provided very positive feedback on the accuracy of the translations.
The event covered a wide range of industry themes, including AI, insurance, and legal topics. Do you think VoicePing’s translation quality adequately addressed these specialized areas?
Ito: You’re absolutely right. This event featured a wide range of sessions covering diverse topics, and I believe the translations were highly accurate, even when specialized terminology was involved. Additionally, many sessions were conducted in a panel discussion format, where multiple speakers often spoke simultaneously. Despite the overlapping voices, the translations effectively captured the content, maintaining high quality and ensuring smooth progression throughout the event.
From an event organizer’s perspective, how did you personally feel about the support provided by VoicePing?
Ito: We are truly grateful. Within the constraints of our budget, we were able to effectively utilize VoicePing as a translation tool with maximum accuracy. I believe it was not only highly beneficial for us as organizers but also very effective for our guests. Since translation plays such a crucial role in the overall satisfaction of the event, we deeply appreciate the support provided.
Jin, along with JiroMaru and Ivan, who were present on the day, created a very approachable and friendly atmosphere, making it easy for us to ask questions. This level of attentiveness and professionalism is, in my opinion, one of the significant strengths of VoicePing.
Shiomori: The decrease in questions about the translation tool compared to last year was a great help in terms of event operations. Of course, having on-site staff available to provide support was a significant factor, but the user-friendliness of the tool itself also played a major role. On the day of the event, when operations tend to get hectic, this ease of use was truly appreciated.
Plug and Play Japan has been a regular VoicePing user. Do you have any suggestions for improvements or additional feedback, including for event use?
Ito: Honestly, not much comes to mind (laughs). Occasionally, during small-scale event preparations, we conduct tests, and it can be a bit embarrassing to see logs like “Test, Test” left in the records. Is it possible to delete those?
Also, I think it would be great if meeting records could be summarized by AI, providing an overview and outlining the next steps. Does VoicePing have such a feature?
Yes, it does!
Ito: I thought so! Please teach us how to use it next time.
Of course! We also have a manual ready to guide you, and I’ll send it over.
If You Had to Describe VoicePing in One Sentence, What Would It Be?
Ito: It’s significantly more affordable compared to other software, easy to implement, and highly accurate.
Real-Time AI Translation: Unlocking the Future of Global Collaboration
From a broader perspective, how important do you think real-time AI translation technology is in fostering collaboration in platforms where startups, global leading companies, and accelerators come together?
Ito: I absolutely believe it’s essential. The larger the event, such as the Japan Summit, the more simultaneous translation services like VoicePing are utilized. While we primarily adopted a format where translations could be viewed on personal monitors or smartphones this time, I think another viable approach could be to set up relatively large monitors next to the main stage to continuously display translations.
As the demand to deliver accurate information to more people increases, tools and solutions that help overcome language barriers, like simultaneous translation services, are indispensable. This is especially true for events with a large and diverse audience where it’s unclear which languages the attendees might speak.
Not only for accelerator or startup-related events but for any large gathering of people, these kinds of solutions are vital to ensure effective communication and accessibility.
Exactly, breaking down language barriers is key. I’ve even heard of people hesitating to attend global events simply because they don’t speak English or Japanese.
Ito: Since we host events in various formats, including English and Japanese, we often receive questions during the registration phase, such as, “Is this event in English or Japanese?”
Being able to respond confidently with, “This is an English event, but we’ve implemented a simultaneous translation tool, so no need to worry,” not only reassures our guests but also enhances the value of our services.
Plug and Play Japan has been actively expanding its business, from collaborations with Fukuoka Prefecture and JETRO to global initiatives. What are Plug and Play Japan’s next steps for Japan’s startup ecosystem?
Ito: Plug and Play Japan’s mission remains fundamentally the same: to operate as a platform supporting the startup ecosystem and as a champion of innovation. Wherever startups and large corporations are active, we see business opportunities. Our goal is to continue supporting startups, fostering open innovation in large corporations, and driving new business development.
Additionally, as mentioned earlier by JETRO, addressing Japan’s social challenges, such as the aging population and declining birthrate, is becoming increasingly critical. With the potential contraction of the Japanese market, we believe it is essential to support Japanese startups in expanding overseas while also attracting foreign startups with solutions to Japan’s societal issues to enter the Japanese market.
Currently, our focus is on leveraging our global network to support corporate innovation, offering cross-industry accelerator programs, investing in startups, and aiding startup internationalization through partnerships with governments and municipalities. Moving forward, we aim to strengthen our collaboration with governments and municipalities further, accelerating our efforts to address societal challenges and enhance overall well-being.
▼Company Overview of Plug and Play Japan
Established: July 2017
Location: [Tokyo Office] Shibuya Center Place 3F, 1-16-3 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043
Business: Accelerators , Venture Capital
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