By: Fabián Bonilla

February 2026 marked a milestone for GeneXus in Japan. As part of Technical Session Japan 2026, coordinated together with Ignacio “Nacho” Eirale, we had the honor of hosting the winners of Let’s PLAI, the competition organized by GeneXus to promote the use of Globant Enterprise AI within the partner and client community.

In addition to celebrating their achievements, we put together a special schedule of activities where the winners presented their innovative projects to local clients and partners.

The stars of this trip were:

• Carlos Tedesco, from BQS (Argentina)
• Enrique Almeida, from Concepto (Uruguay)
• Jorge Salazar, from Valkimia (Chile), who made the trip with his partner

Everyone’s excitement about being in Japan was obvious from the very beginning. Enrique was the only one who had been to Japan before, on a family vacation.

The first day was relaxed: dinner near the hotel and the start of filling our phones with photos, especially of Tokyo Tower, which is just a few blocks away and has a special charm at night.

Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower located in the Minato district of Tokyo. Opened in 1958, it became a symbol of Japan’s post-war reconstruction and economic resurgence.

The next day started with a great ramen lunch in Gotanda, near the GeneXus Japan office, followed by the formal visit. We were welcomed with the kindness and respect so characteristic of Japan: formal greetings, the exchange of business cards in keeping with the still very much alive meishi tradition, gift-giving, and a welcome talk by Owaki-san and Morohashi-san.

Owaki-san and Morohashi-san, with the winners of Let’s PLAI and GeneXus Team from Uruguay.

And then, more photos. In every corner of the office.

From there, we headed to the impressive Tokyo Skytree to see the city from 450 meters up. The day was cloudy, but the view was still stunning, even though Mount Fuji decided to stay hidden.

Skytree is very close to Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most traditional—and touristy—neighborhoods. It is a must-visit the first time you travel through the Japanese capital. That is where the famous Nakamise Street is located, leading up to Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. The walk from Skytree includes passing by the river and Sumida Park, as well as the iconic Asahi Breweries building, whose silhouette is said to resemble a glass of beer with foam on top.

The iconic Asahi skyline in Sumida: an architectural design that pays tribute to a perfectly poured beer

We wrapped up the day at an izakaya, enjoying plenty of yakitori.

Then our paths split for a couple of days: there were talks to give. But I can personally confirm that they made the most of every free minute to explore Tokyo in depth.

On the last day of the event, with a full room that afternoon, each of them presented the project they had developed with Globant Enterprise AI. It was a special moment. The Japanese community was able to hear firsthand from companies and professionals like them, speaking about their challenges, decisions, and results.

Carlos Tedesco, CEO at BQS Software

Enrique Almeida, CEO at Concepto

Jorge Salazar, IT Consultant Leader at Valkimia

Afterward, GeneXus Japan organized a cocktail reception so the conversations could continue in a more relaxed setting. They were even asked to share personal aspects of their lives, beyond the professional side. The conversation flowed – with the invaluable help of Cho, our Spanish interpreter – and cultural differences turned into bridges.

The winners of Let’s PLAI traveled to Japan and shared with the GeneXus team in Tokyo.

And, like any good experience in Japan, there were challenges too. Encouraged a bit by Nacho and me, some of the GeneXus Japan team brought natto for Enrique, Jorge, and Carlos to try. Their facial expressions were worth it.

Nattō: a traditional Japanese superfood made of fermented soybeans, known for its unique texture and incredible health benefits.

Beyond the anecdotes, I think it was a deeply meaningful experience for them. And I say that based on their own words. They came back happy not only because they had traveled to Japan, but because they had connected with a community that, on the other side of the world, works with the same technology: GeneXus.

Something that especially struck me was seeing people like Enrique and Carlos – who have companies that have been working with GeneXus for more than 30 years – genuinely impressed when they walked into an office or an event in Japan and saw local teams developing, innovating, and investing in our technology.

Sometimes, in the daily whirlwind of issues, proposals, and deliverables, we lose perspective. We forget to fully grasp what it means for GeneXus to have a presence in places like Japan, with committed teams and clients who trust us.

We are living through times of enormous challenges, and in Japan those challenges are probably multiplied. But in more than 20 years of GeneXus in Japan, that has never been a barrier – rather, it has been a driving force.

So, as they say over there: がんばって (Gambatte).
Let’s give it our all.

PS1:
Here are links to the webinars for each winning project, because they are truly very interesting.

• Smart Payroll: How to Say Goodbye to Manual Salary Calculations (BQS)
• CLARA v2.0: AI-Assisted Tariff Classification (Concepto)
• Accelerate Your Innovation Cycle with Globant Enterprise AI (Valkimia)

PS2:
Even though Mount Fuji was a little shy at times, it still made an appearance from the hotel.

Admiring the iconic Mount Fuji, a World Heritage site and the spiritual heart of Japan.

You may also be interested in reading:

The history of GeneXus in Japan

How do people live and work in Japan?

Discovery Runs, GeneXus Japan 2024