Joi Ito Leaves Japanese Government Tech Project After Epstein Files Released

Joi Ito is stepping away from a major government technology initiative in Japan after new attention on his long‑running ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Ito, who previously resigned from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2019 after revelations about his handling of Epstein‑linked donations, said he will not seek reappointment to the Global Startup Campus Initiative. His term was scheduled to end later this month, and his announcement followed the release of additional U.S. Department of Justice files detailing his interactions with Epstein.

The Global Startup Campus Initiative is a flagship program backed by more than $400 million in public funding and championed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The project aims to build a major technology hub in Tokyo through partnerships with leading universities in the United States and Japan. Ito was not part of the original oversight group, but an influential lawmaker within the Liberal Democratic Party named him in early 2024 as one of three figures expected to help shape the initiative’s strategy.

Growing Pressure on a High‑Profile Government Project

The renewed scrutiny stems from recently released Epstein documents that include thousands of emails, travel records, and details about Epstein‑directed money transfers. These disclosures have complicated efforts to secure university partners, with institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Carnegie Mellon, and Keio distancing themselves from the project after being approached. Ito’s involvement had become a sticking point for several potential collaborators, raising concerns about the program’s early momentum.

Ito’s history with MIT continues to draw attention. In 2019, he resigned as director of the MIT Media Lab after it became public that he had attempted to keep portions of Epstein’s contributions anonymous. He also stepped down from roles at Harvard, the MacArthur Foundation, and The New York Times. In his latest statement, Ito said he had consulted senior MIT leadership about the donations and that they approved the funds on the condition that Epstein’s name not be used. He added that an independent investigation found he had not violated laws or university policies.

The newly released Epstein emails show Ito met frequently with Epstein beginning in 2013, several years after Epstein’s conviction in Florida. Ito said he never witnessed or learned of the conduct that later became widely known. He explained that he is stepping aside because the project’s initial objectives had reached a milestone and said he would also leave his advisory role in the Digital Society Initiative to focus on his work as president of the Chiba Institute of Technology.

Some officials within the Global Startup Campus Initiative had already begun discussing whether to block Ito from joining the steering committee. Digital Garage Inc., a Tokyo‑based technology firm where Ito served as a board member, announced on Friday that he would step down from that position as well. Despite the growing pressure, several government leaders continue to support him. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said he saw no issue with Ito’s selection, and Digital Minister Hisashi Matsumoto said the government would not act based on what he described as suspicious information.

The Chiba Institute of Technology also defended Ito, stating that a background review conducted before his appointment found no basis for concern regarding his past activities. The university said Ito reaffirmed that he had not engaged in any illegal or improper conduct and that its trust in him remains unchanged. Ito said he regrets the concern caused by recent media coverage and online commentary surrounding his communications with Epstein.

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