Hi! Joe posted about this event the other day but, just in case someone might like to participate, I’ll post again.
I contacted the organizers and learned that all but one of the presentations will be done in Japanese. It costs Y9,000 to participate but, if you attend the party afterwards, you get to hobnob with a lot of movers and shakers. (Note: I read this on the web but I got another notice through my university that you can watch the presentations free of charge and that the “after party” costs 5,000 yen. The web figure of 9,000 is still up but I suspect the notice from Kumamoto Gakuen University, where the event will be held is correct.) I think that interaction between the people who were willing to pay for the live conference was part of the idea behind the original TED conferences too.
At any rate, it will be held of Sunday so if you’re interested you should hurry. (I first wrote “hurry” because the web page indicates that you need to apply in advance. However, I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to get in if you just show up.)
– Kirk