The first Tokyo TechNet 2007 Conference and Exposition was held January 18-19 under the theme of "Allied Interoperability: Leveraging a Long Term Relationship to Make Split-Second Decisions." The event aimed to strengthen the US-Japan alliance and discuss information technology (IT) solutions, policies and ideas as day-to-day operational realities.

The forum presented an opportunity for government, military and industry professionals to partner in facing challenges in accommodating US and Japanese warfighters' abilities to make critical decisions. Attendees were able to come together to interact and network, and also to advertise products and services, display new technologies, and take part in briefings and panel discussions featuring high-ranking officials.

The event began with a kick-off dinner featuring guest speaker Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright, commander, USAF, U.S. Forces Japan. Gen. Wright highlighted evolving challenges in missile defense and the need for interoperability and rapid transformation. The next day, Rear Adm. Tomohisa Takei, JN, Japanese Joint Staff Office/J-6, tackled topics in Japanese force transformation to jointness and the fog of war. Also, in discussing the unique challenges of information superiority in the coalition environment, Rear Adm. James D. Kelley, USN, commander, Naval Forces Japan, emphasized the importance of people and interoperability. Lastly, two panel discussions targeted issues of new-age transformation and mobility versus security. The panels featured high-level officials from a number of influential institutions in the arena.

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