Internet Governance Forum  |  Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan

Kumejima IGF (Draft)
Mini Forum 2026

Subject to change, including schedule, and may be canceled

A multi-stakeholder dialogue on internet governance —
held at the Forest Where the Wind Returns, Kumejima Island.

📅 Pre-event Reception: 13 May 2026 (Wed) Evening 🗓 Forum: 14–15 May 2026 (Thu–Fri) 📍 Kaze no Kaeru Mori, Kumejima 🌐 Hybrid (In-person + Online)

About the Forum

In today's world, where the internet has become indispensable social infrastructure, questions of internet governance are no longer the sole concern of technologists or policymakers — they matter to every citizen. The United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) provides a global platform for governments, the private sector, civil society, and technical communities to engage in open dialogue.

This forum is organised by a group of Japan IGF community volunteers who wish to bring that spirit of dialogue to Kumejima Island — to the Forest Where the Wind Returns, a facility established through the generous donation of animation director Hayao Miyazaki. Here, across the boundaries of industry, government, academia, and civil society, we will explore the challenges and possibilities that the internet presents.

We warmly welcome participants from Japan and around the world — regardless of background or expertise.

Forum session at Kaze no Kaeru Mori

Event Overview

Event Name
Kumejima IGF Mini Forum 2026 (Tentative)
Dates (Tentative)
Pre-event Reception: 13 May 2026 (Wed) Evening
Forum: 14–15 May 2026 (Thu–Fri), 1–2 days
Venue
Kaze no Kaeru Mori Exchange Facility
Kumejima-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa
Organiser
Japan IGF Community Volunteers
Sponsor (Tentative)
Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics (KCGI)
Format
Hybrid — In-person & Online streaming (planned)
Target Audience
Anyone interested in internet governance — all backgrounds welcome
Language
English / Japanese (simultaneous interpretation planned)

Key Themes

Theme 01
AI & Society — Governance for the Present and Future
Exploring the social transformation, ethical challenges, and international governance frameworks emerging from the rapid proliferation of generative AI.
Theme 02 (Tentative)
Digital Security — Cybersecurity & Trust
Addressing the rise of sophisticated cyberattacks and disinformation, and examining how to build and maintain a trustworthy digital environment.
Theme 03 (Tentative)
Connected for All — Digital Inclusion & Connectivity
Tackling the digital divide in remote islands and rural areas, and envisioning a society where everyone can benefit from the internet.
★ One or two additional themes will be selected through an open community call for proposals. Details on the submission process will be announced separately.

Programme (Draft)

▶ 13 May (Wed)  — Pre-event Reception & Social Gathering
18:30 – Welcome Reception & Dinner — Enjoy Kumejima cuisine and connect with fellow participants.
19:30 – Special Live Performance — Nitza Melas (KCGI Professor & former Cirque du Soleil lead vocalist) followed by Eisa traditional drumming performance.
▶ 14 May (Thu)  — Forum Day 1
09:30 – 10:00 Opening Ceremony & Welcome Remarks
10:00 – 11:30 Keynote Address — "Internet Governance: Where We Are and Where We're Headed"
13:00 – 15:00 Thematic Sessions ① & ② — Expert presentations and panel discussion
15:30 – 17:30 Workshop — "Imagining the Digital Future from Kumejima"
▶ 15 May (Fri)  — Forum Day 2  (omitted if 1-day format)
09:30 – 11:30 Thematic Session ③ — Panel discussion
13:00 – 15:00 General Discussion — Drafting the "Kumejima Declaration (Proposal)"
15:30 – 16:00 Closing Ceremony

Pre-event Reception & Social Evening

The evening of 13 May will be dedicated to connection, culture, and celebration. Beneath the Okinawan night sky at the Forest Where the Wind Returns, participants will enjoy local Kumejima cuisine, a breathtaking live vocal performance, the powerful rhythms of traditional Eisa drumming, and a spectacular whole-tuna breakdown show — an unforgettable welcome to the island.

Special live vocal performance by Nitza Melas
Special Live Performance — Nitza Melas (KCGI Professor & former Cirque du Soleil Lead Vocalist)
Traditional Okinawan Eisa drumming performance
Traditional Okinawan Eisa Drumming & Dance Performance

🐟 Whole Bluefin Tuna Breakdown Show

Whole bluefin tuna breakdown at Kaze no Kaeru Mori kitchen
Live tuna breakdown at the centre kitchen of Kaze no Kaeru Mori

One of the highlights of the reception evening will be a live whole bluefin tuna (maguro) breakdown show, performed right in the centre kitchen of the Kaze no Kaeru Mori facility. Watch a skilled Japanese chef expertly break down an entire tuna with a traditional yanagiba knife — a dramatic and memorable culinary spectacle.

Okinawa Prefecture, surrounded by the warm waters of the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, is one of Japan's premier fishing regions. The seas around Kumejima Island are particularly renowned for their exceptionally fresh bluefin and bigeye tuna, caught daily by local fishermen. Kumejima's tuna is prized for its rich, deep-red flesh and clean flavour — a true taste of the island.

Following the breakdown show, the freshly cut tuna will be served as sashimi and nigiri at the reception dinner, allowing participants to savour the finest local seafood straight from Kumejima's waters.

🎤
Special Live Vocal Performance
Nitza Melas — Professor at KCGI and former lead vocalist of Cirque du Soleil — will deliver a stunning outdoor performance under the stars.
🥁
Eisa Traditional Performance
Experience the vibrant energy of Okinawan Eisa — traditional drumming, dance, and the spirit of the Ryukyu Islands.
🐟
Whole Tuna Breakdown Show
Watch a master chef break down a whole fresh bluefin tuna from Kumejima's waters — then enjoy it as sashimi at the dinner table.
🍽
Kumejima Cuisine & Networking
Savour local Kumejima dishes and Awamori spirits while building connections with participants from across Japan and around the world.
🌙
Outdoor Night Setting
The reception takes place on the lawn of the Forest Where the Wind Returns, surrounded by the natural beauty of Kumejima under the moonlit sky.

Special Guest

🎵
Nitza Melas
Professor, Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics (KCGI)  |  Former Lead Vocalist, Cirque du Soleil

Nitza Melas is a professor at KCGI and one of the world's most celebrated vocalists, renowned for her role as lead vocalist with the globally acclaimed entertainment company Cirque du Soleil. Her extraordinary voice has captivated audiences across five continents. At the pre-event reception on the evening of 13 May, she will perform an exclusive outdoor concert on the grounds of the Forest Where the Wind Returns — a truly special experience beneath the Kumejima night sky.

Venue & Access

Kaze no Kaeru Mori Exchange Facility
By Air
Naha Airport → Kumejima Airport (Ryukyu Air Commuter) approx. 30 min
Kumejima Airport → Venue (by car) approx. 15 min
By Ferry
Naha Tomari Port → Kumejima (Kume Shosen) approx. 3 hours
Kumejima Port → Venue (by car) approx. 20 min

Contact & Enquiries

Kumejima IGF Mini Forum 2026 Organising Committee
For registration, sponsorship, session proposals, and general enquiries, please contact us at:
event@kumejima.love
We will respond within 3 business days.
Organised by: Japan IGF Community Volunteers
Sponsored by: Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics (KCGI)