Tuukka Toivonen, an international sociologist, holds a PhD from the University of Oxford and is the co-founder of Kansai RISE. Tuukka's interests include deconstructing youth problems, detecting social innovations and bringing together social entrepreneurs. These interests have recently led to two new books, A Sociology of Japanese Youth (Routledge 2012; with Goodman & Imoto) and Japan's Emerging Youth Policy (Routledge 2012).

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)