Ancient wisdom, future thinking.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Tokyo, Japan — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: September 13, 2026
Shinya Yamanaka · The University of Tokyo (Hongo Campus, Yasuda Auditorium) · September 14, 2026
Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka gives a public lecture on advances in induced pluripotent stem cell research and its clinical prospects. The presentation will cover scientific miles…
Shinya Yamanaka · The University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus · September 15, 2026
Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka gives a public lecture on the current state and ethical considerations of induced pluripotent stem cell research. The event is open to the public wit…
Ian Buruma · Jimbochō Book District — Jimbochō Book Town Hall · September 15, 2026
Historian and writer Ian Buruma traces Tokyo’s literary landscapes and the city’s role in shaping modern cultural identity. The session includes a discussion with a local literary …
Kazuo Ishiguro · Kinokuniya Bookstore Shinjuku · September 15, 2026
Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro discusses themes of memory and moral imagination in his fiction and reads a selection from recent work. A brief moderated discussion and book-signing …
Yuval Noah Harari · Tokyo International Forum · September 15, 2026
Historian and bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari examines the social and ethical implications of advanced artificial intelligence for democratic societies. He will argue for new …
Shinya Yamanaka · The University of Tokyo (Hongo Campus) · September 15, 2026
Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka presents recent advances in stem cell research and their ethical implications for regenerative medicine. The lecture is followed by a student-led pan…
Haruki Murakami · Iwanami Hall (Jimbochō) · September 15, 2026
Celebrated novelist Haruki Murakami discusses his approach to storytelling, solitude, and the role of translation in bringing Japanese literature to global audiences. Attendance is…
Simon Njami; Midori Matsui · Tokyo Art Book Fair (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum) · September 15, 2026
Leading curators and artists examine how art publishing shapes political narratives and visual culture across borders. The panel will feature case studies from recent independent p…
Yuval Noah Harari · Tokyo International Forum · September 15, 2026
Historian and futurist Yuval Noah Harari explores the changing structures of cooperation in the age of AI and biotechnology. He will take audience questions after a 45-minute lectu…
Takashi Murakami · Mori Art Museum · September 15, 2026
Contemporary artist Takashi Murakami presents his latest projects and explores the intersections of pop culture, commerce, and fine art. The talk is followed by a curator-led galle…
Banana Yoshimoto · Kinokuniya Bookstore Shinjuku · September 15, 2026
Beloved novelist Banana Yoshimoto reads from her newest work and discusses themes of urban solitude and renewal in modern Japan. A brief moderated conversation and book signing wil…
Yuval Noah Harari · Tokyo International Forum — Public Lecture · September 15, 2026
Historian Yuval Noah Harari addresses the cultural and technological narratives shaping the 21st century, with a focus on ethics, AI, and human futures. The large-scale public lect…
Anne Applebaum · Tokyo International Forum, Hall C · September 15, 2026
Journalist and historian Anne Applebaum explores the decline of media trust, the mechanics of propaganda, and the implications for democratic societies. The talk will include a Q&A…
Yuval Noah Harari · Tokyo International Forum · September 15, 2026
Historian Yuval Noah Harari examines the ethical questions raised by AI, biotechnology, and data-driven governance. The lecture will be followed by a public discussion and audience…
Kazuo Ishiguro · Kinokuniya Bookstore Shinjuku · September 15, 2026
Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro reads selections from his recent work and discusses memory, narrative voice, and the craft of fiction. The evening concludes with audience questions a…
Yuval Noah Harari · Tokyo International Forum (Hall A) · September 15, 2026
Historian and philosopher Yuval Noah Harari explores the technological and ethical challenges facing 21st-century societies. Harari will outline scenarios for governance, AI and hu…
Naomi Klein · Kinokuniya Bookstore Shinjuku · September 15, 2026
Naomi Klein presents a new lecture connecting climate politics and cultural movements, followed by a short Q&A. The talk will survey strategies for public engagement and policy cha…
Hirokazu Kore-eda · National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo · September 15, 2026
Filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda explores the intersections of visual art and cinema in contemporary Japanese storytelling. The talk includes clips, a discussion with a museum curator, …
Steven Pinker · The University of Tokyo, Komaba Campus Lecture Hall · September 16, 2026
Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker presents an accessible account of language, rationality, and the long arc of human progress. A student-led discussion follows the lecture, open to…
Naomi Klein · The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo · September 17, 2026
Writer and activist Naomi Klein explores the intersections of contemporary art and climate activism with examples from recent exhibitions. The talk will consider how cultural insti…