PyCon JP Operations: Insights and Vision from the Chair
This is a daily report published by @nishimotz, the Chair of PyCon JP 2025, in a personal capacity.
PyCon JP 2025 will be held at Hiroshima International Conference Center on September 26-27.
We are recruiting organizing members. Please apply through the Organizing Member Application Form.
Reflections on the Role of the Chair
The Chair’s Role and Appointment
Each year, the PyCon JP Association appoints a Chair who is responsible for organizing PyCon JP. This is an important mechanism for incorporating fresh perspectives annually within a continuous operational framework.
The association publicly discloses its financial information, and this transparency helps build trust with sponsors. This trust relationship is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of the conference.
Experience as This Year’s Chair
As this year’s Chair (nishimotz), I hold the titles of PhD in Engineering and Information Security Management Professional, and I bear the responsibility that comes with these credentials. I don’t have extensive experience in organizing PyCon JP, but I have long observed the conference as a participant and speaker. I also have experience working with RubyKaigi and YAPC, as well as organizing technical events in Hiroshima, which has given me exposure to various conference management approaches.
The Evolving Python and Its Community
Python in 2011 is not the same as Python in 2025. The users and community have also changed, and PyCon JP should evolve accordingly. Rather than adhering to past successes, we need to create an event that responds to the current needs of the community.
The New Challenge of Hosting in Hiroshima
The new challenge of hosting in Hiroshima has brought an increase in inexperienced organizing members. While this offers an excellent opportunity for diverse perspectives, it also increases the importance of carefully examining past experiences and developing this year’s approach step by step.
Balancing Guidelines and Innovation
As Chair, I’ve been given guidelines by the association on “how PyCon JP should be organized.” However, this does not conflict with the idea that “this year’s event should be run in this year’s way.” Rather, I believe it’s important to incorporate creativity unique to each year within consistent guidelines.
Diversity Through Chair Rotation
The system of appointing a new Chair each year can achieve its ideal when Chairs actually rotate frequently, allowing the event to be managed in different ways and creating a space where diverse values constantly intersect. This is a key element that creates PyCon JP’s uniqueness.
Continuous Learning and Challenges
The 2025 organizing members continue to learn from both past successes and failures. However, rather than simply following the past, we want to move forward without fear of new challenges.
Personal Connection to Python
As Chair (nishimotz), I am deeply dependent on Python technology through my work developing the NVDA screen reader. Technologies that support people with visual impairments are sustained by Python’s complex ecosystem and technological innovations. I urgently need the sustainability of Python technology and its community for the role I play. These personal feelings also serve as a strong motivation for making PyCon JP 2025 a success.
Request
I ask that you trust the goal in the Chair’s mind and run together with us for the next five months. As Chair, I will do my utmost to support each organizing member in maximizing their potential in their respective roles.
Update History
- 2025-05-01: Initial publication