6th MIDS HAPPY DATA HOUR Announcement
First Tokyo City Center Event! Featuring Mr. Kitamoto (Director) & Mr. Takami (CTO) from U-NEXT Holdings' AI Startup Studio 🍺🍕
The International Data Science Department (MIDS) at Musashino University's Distance Learning Division is pleased to announce the 6th edition of our popular "HAPPY DATA HOUR" networking event.
For the first time in Japan, we're venturing outside campus to Another8 in Meguro, Tokyo! We're honored to welcome Mr. Kitamoto (Director) and Mr. Takami (CTO) of U-NEXT Holdings' newly established AI Startup Studio as our special guests, who will share insights from the frontlines of AI × startups.
Event Details
Date & Time: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 19:00 - 21:00 JST
Venue: Another8 (Meguro, Tokyo)
1-2-18 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0064
Approx. 3 min walk from Meguro Station (JR Yamanote Line, Tokyu Meguro Line, Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, Toei Mita Line)
Another8 is a leading taproom in Japan's craft beer scene. Whether you're a craft beer connoisseur or a newcomer, you can enjoy 8 varieties of beer, with taps rotating almost daily from Japan's most highly acclaimed breweries. The cuisine is prepared by experienced chefs with backgrounds in Italian and Japanese fine dining—if you're expecting a typical sports bar with fried food, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Pairing consultations for delicious cuisine and beer are also available.
Another8 is the "Official Izakaya" of U-NEXT AI Startup Studio. The Official Izakaya concept is an initiative that combines team building with local economic contribution, originally started by AppSocially, Inc. in Silicon Valley (Source).
Fee:
🍺 Beer: FREE (Sponsored by AI Startup Studio) 👏
🍕 Food: Cash-on
No registration required - Feel free to drop by!
Guest Speakers
U-NEXT Holdings AI Startup Studio
Mr. Kitamoto (Director)
Mr. Takami (CTO / Research Fellow, Asia AI Research Institute, Musashino University)
AI Startup Studio is a newly established organization within U-NEXT Holdings dedicated to creating and nurturing AI startups.
Musashino University Participants
Faculty of Data Science, Musashino University
Associate Professor, Dr. Yusuke Takahashi
Additional faculty and students
Why HAPPY DATA HOUR?
Bringing Silicon Valley culture to Tokyo.
When I (Takahashi) was in Silicon Valley, I regularly participated in "HAPPY DATA HOUR" events in San Francisco. Data scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and VCs would gather to casually exchange information over 🍕 and 🍺.
These events went beyond mere networking to foster Silicon Valley's unique culture of "openly learning and helping each other." MIDS aims to create a new ecosystem centered on data science × international collaboration × industry-academia partnership—not just another academic department.
Who Should Attend?
Everyone is welcome!
High school students, university students, working professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and corporate representatives—anyone interested in data science and AI. Encounters with people from diverse backgrounds create the most value.
Especially recommended for:
Those interested in AI startups
Those exploring AI utilization and new business development within corporations
Those wanting to explore the possibilities of data science × entrepreneurship
Prospective MIDS students
Companies and researchers interested in industry-academia collaboration
🍺 This Session's Special
Thanks to the generous sponsorship from AI Startup Studio, beer is free at this event! Food is available on a cash-on basis. Please feel free to join us! 👏
Contact
Asia AI Research Institute (AAII), Musashino University Email: yusuke@mids.ac
Opening April 2026: International Data Science Department (MIDS)
The International Data Science Department (Distance Learning) at Musashino University is a new department centered on data science × international collaboration × industry-academia partnership. We provide an educational environment accessible from anywhere in the world through primarily online learning.
Let's connect, collaborate, and celebrate data science together! 🚀