# Ren Ito

> Ren Ito is the co-founder and chairman of Tokyo-based Sakana AI, after serving as its COO. A former Japanese diplomat, Mercari Europe chief executive and Stability AI COO, he works at the intersection of AI research, business and public institutions.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Chairman at Sakana AI
- **Organizations:** Sakana AI, Stability AI, Mercari, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, World Bank, New York University School of Law, Tokyo AI Strategy Council, AI for Good Global Commission, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
- **Nationality:** Japanese
- **Education:** Law degree, University of Tokyo, LLM, New York University School of Law, MA in East Asian Studies, Stanford University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Sakana AI in 2023 with David Ha and Llion Jones., Led Mercari’s European business and helped with its 2018 public listing., Served as a Japanese diplomat working on US-Japan security and Japan-EU trade negotiations.

## Career timeline

- **2001** — Graduated in law from the University of Tokyo and joined Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- **2004** — Completed an LLM at NYU School of Law.
- **2005** — Completed an MA in East Asian Studies at Stanford University.
- **2011** — Began working at the World Bank in Washington as part of his diplomatic career.
- **2015** — Joined Mercari as an executive responsible for global business; later led Mercari Europe.
- **2018** — Helped Mercari through its public listing.
- **2022** — Became COO of Stability AI.
- **2023** — Co-founded Sakana AI with David Ha and Llion Jones; served as COO.
- **2024** — Joined the Tokyo AI Strategy Council and was a senior fellow at NYU Law’s US-Asia Law Institute.
- **2025** — MUFG appointed him AI adviser as it formed a partnership with Sakana AI.
- **2026** — Listed by Sakana AI as co-founder and chairman; named a founding member of the AI for Good Global Commission.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Sakana AI in 2023 with David Ha and Llion Jones.
- Led Mercari’s European business and helped with its 2018 public listing.
- Served as a Japanese diplomat working on US-Japan security and Japan-EU trade negotiations.
- Appointed AI adviser to MUFG in 2025.
- Named a founding member of the AI for Good Global Commission in 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Named a founding member of the AI for Good Global Commission; Sakana AI identified him as chairman.
- **2026-03** — Sakana AI and Mitsubishi Electric announced manufacturing AI as a strategic area; Ito commented for the company.
- **2025-05** — MUFG appointed him AI adviser alongside a strategic partnership with Sakana AI.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renitomail/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ren-ito
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-29