JCConf 2025: Building a Community for Developers to Connect

Transcript

1. Building a Community for Developers to Connect The Challenge of the Japan Java User Group Takaaki Sugiyama
2. About me • Takaaki SUGITAMA （杉山貴章） • @zinbe • Japan Java User Group Board member • Vice Chairperson of JJUG CCC • Director of CCC Association
3. Japan Java User Group (JJUG) 13K+ Members 36 Conference 250+ Meet-ups Since 2007 • 18+ years JJUG has been fostering an environment where developers can grow together, learn from each other, and stay motivated through continuous interaction.
4. Communities matter
5. Learn Fast Share knowledge & stay current Connect Network across companies & levels Grow Together Beginners to experts, all contribute Innovate Diverse perspectives spark creativity Tech community gives you these opportunity Why Developer Communities Matter?
6. Japanese IT Engineer Employment Mass Graduate Hiring System • Simultaneous entry every April • Job hunting during 3rd or 4th year of university • Companies train new graduates from scratch • Job switching viewed as "career change" Low Labor Mobility • Long-term employment at same company is common • Many engineers have few job changes • Lifetime employment culture remains strong • Seniority-based system influence
7. Impact of These Characteristics Narrow Technical Vision Limited opportunities to learn about latest tech and best practices Information Gap Lack of access to global trends and best practices from overseas Limited Networking Few opportunities to build cross-industry professional networks Less Innovation Shortage of diverse talent makes it difficult to generate new ideas This is why the tech community matters more
8. Japan Java User Group
9. What’s Java User Groups (JUGs) Known as JUGs Volunteer organizations that strive to distribute Java- related knowledge Regular meet-ups 344 JUGs 291 active groups TWJUG is also a JUG https://dev.java/community/jugs/
10. About Japan Java User Group (JJUG) The first JUG in Japan https://www.java-users.jp/ @JJUG Establishment: 2007/04 （TWJUG: 2006/07） Member: 13,640 (as of 2025/09/13) Activities Supporting Java communities in Japan Operating events such as conferences and meet-ups Exchange with the global Java communities
11. Another JUGs in Japan Kansai Java Engineer Group (KanJava) Java User Groupe Hokkaido (Java Do) Japan Java Women Group (Javajo) Okayama Java User Group Hiroshima Java User Group (inactive) Japan GlassFish User Group (inactive) JJUG support these communities • Send speakers • Cost support • Co-hosting events • etc…
12. JJUG Activities: Night Seminar Monthly meet-ups Mostly held in Tokyo(Offline), but sometimes online Speakers are selected by nomination Attendees: 30 - 100 people (or more) Japanese or English Free Pizza & Beer
13. JJUG Activities: JJUG CCC CCC = Cross Community Conference One-day conference Held in Tokyo (Offline) Twice a year (Spring, Fall) 8 tracks / 45+ sessions CfP Session + Sponsor Session + Unconference Attendees: 800 (recently) Japanese and English Free
14. CCC Sessions
15. Sponsor Booth
16. CCC After Party
17. JJUG Activities: JOnsen (J温泉) https://jonsen.jp Unconference Stay at a ryokan (traditional-style inn) for 3 days Discuss with Java engineers from Japan and abroad Enjoy the hot spring Enjoy some activities Java Champions and experts from overseas also participated English only (no Japanese)
18. What’s Unconference A participant-driven style of conference Topics are chosen on the day No strict line between speakers and audience — anyone can talk or ask Some styles of Unconference Roundtable ←JOnsen Lightning talks Ignite Fishbowl Flexible and informal atmosphere
19. JOnsen Unconference Choosing Topics Discussion
20. JOnsen Activities Hiking Drinking Karaoke
21. Our Journey
22. Number of JJUG members Cumulative total = 13,640 Active member ≈ 2,600
23. Number of CCC Attendees Venue capacity
24. How We Grow?
25. Regular and Frequency Event Organization Feb Night Seminar .. Monthly Twice a Year × Monthly = Consistency ✅Continuous Learning Opportunities ✅“Looking forward to Next Event” Culture ✅Increase Speaking Opportunities ✅Operational Know-how Accumulation Jan Seminar CCC Spring Feb Seminar Mar Seminar CCC Fall
26. Building Relationships with Sponsors JJUG High-quality events Community value creation Value for developers Sustainable operations Corporate Sponsors Access to talented developers Brand recognition Recruitment opportunities Tech community contribution Community support itself = Corporate value Win-Win Partnership Not for only product promotion
27. Beginner Speaker Support Special slots reserved for beginner speakers Proposal review Mentoring program by experienced speakers Individual guidance Presentation review Practice session Session feedback
28. Benefits of Including New Voices Fresh Perspectives Different angles on technical topics Enhanced Community Engagement "I can speak too" mindset Activated Knowledge Sharing Information exchange at various levels Next-gen Speaker Development Discovering future community leaders
29. Making Global Connection Promoting CCC to overseas communities Actively inviting international speakers Introducing English sessions Sharing information on international conferences Becoming JCP Executive Committee (2023)
30. Java Community Process (JCP) https://jcp.org The official process to standardize Java specifications. New ideas are submitted as JSRs (Java Specification Requests). An Expert Group writes the spec. It goes through public review and approval to become final. Individuals can register the JCP member.
31. JCP Executive Committee (EC) Votes to start JSRs, move to public review, and approve the final release. Includes members from companies, organizations, and individuals. EC members are elected by JCP members. JJUG is directly involved in the development of Java specifications. Next election will be Nov. 4-17, 2025
32. What’s Happen in the history?
33. Growth Phase = Increase operational load Staff shortage CCC staff = JJUG board member About 15 active members Number of CCC Attendees
34. Recruiting 1-Day Volunteer Staff for CCC Goals of Volunteer Participation Promote Active Participation Experience Organizer Perspective Discover Next-gen Leaders Distribute Operational Load Results We have 50+ volunteers at each CCC Many volunteers continue participating Stable community operations Volunteers become organizers Improved event quality Solution:
35. Volunteer Staff
36. Growth Phase = Increase operational load Increase number of events 2 - 4 events in every month
37. Organizational Restructuring Organizing into "JJUG Operations" and "CCC Operations" Teams Before: Single Team After: Two Specialized Teams Single Management Team • Monthly seminars • Regular Activities • JJUG CCC • Administrative • etc… JJUG Operations • Monthly seminars • Regular activities • Community support • Small events • etc… CCC Operations • Conference planning • Speaker management • Venue coordination • Sponsor relations • Conference logistics Benefits of Split Structure Solution: Clear Responsibilities All responsibilities mixed Reduced Workload Better Planning Now-how Specialization
38. Outsourcing Administrative Tasks BEFORE: Staff Overload Overwhelming Tasks: ・Ordering・Payment・Logistics ・Venue Reservation ・Sponsor Coordination・Documentation ・Follow-up・etc… Key Benefits Staff Focus on Planning Efficient Administrative Processing Reduced Staff Burden Better Event Quality & Experience Professional Service Provider Solution: Outsource Obstacle Cost Attract Sponsors
39. Then COVID-19 Hit
40. What COVID-19 Brought to JJUG
41. Challenge: Going Online The Challenge 8 Introducing and learning new streaming technologies Exploring online-specific interaction methods Finding ways to keep participants engaged Keep community connections during the pandemic In addition… Speakers need to learn video editing Our Mission
42. Style of JJUG CCC Online Video Streaming 35min Live Q&A 15min Video streaming & Live Q&A Speaker must be online Pre-recorded to avoid network trouble For real-time communication with the audience
43. Online Booth
44. Backstage of CCC Online
45. We tried to bring offline energy online … But interaction was hard to achieve. Limited natural interactions Hard to see audience reactions No casual small talk Motivation became challenging
46. Reflection: What We Really Want to Provide We Really Wanted to … Not just information sharing Create a community gathering place Enable direct participant conversations Build relationships, not just deliver content Technology delivers contents, but physical spaces create genuine connections Return to Offline Events We prioritize what we truly want to provide
47. Ongoing Challenges Online demand still exists ・rural participants, parents Hybrid events were popular but too costly Video recording needs are high ・but overwhelming to guarantee quality ・managing 50+ videos While respecting diverse needs, we explore ways to make on-site more attractive and accessible.
48. Current Challenges and Efforts
49. Continuous Growth • Increasing participant numbers • Finding suitable venues • Exploring 2-day conference format Hybrid Events Speaker Development • Finding new speakers • improving presentation skills Generational Transition • Preparing next generation of core members Current Challenges We Face Enhance Global Presence • Invite talented speakers and experts • Host international conferences (like Devoxx)
50. Founding a Non-Profit Organization 2025 May 15th, we founded “Cross Community Conference Association” CCCA support events, coordination, and fund management for Java communities in Japan to they can focus on connecting people and technology.
51. Purpose of Founding Transparent Operation Clear financial management & accountability Public reporting and community oversight Sustainability Legal framework & succession planning Risk management for stable operation Social Trust Stronger trust from sponsors & partners Greater influence in the Java ecosystem Foundation for Growth Systematic expansion of activities Wider impact on the community
52. Java Communities Java Communities Support Support Before After Impact for Communities
53. Speaking at JJUG
54. Do You Want to Speak at JJUG ? English session are possible Events are not limited to Tokyo We can attend to Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and other Not only CCC, but also other meet-ups Japanese attendees are are polite and deeply focused on learning Few questions during Q&A But many people post on X about your session
55. Speaking at JJUG CCC Next event is on Nov 15th, 2025 (CfP closed) The following one is on May 30th, 2026 Submit proposals if interested Call for Proposals Spring: February Fall: August
56. Next JOnsen Next JOnsen will be held around May 30th Venue: Under considiration Website: https://www.jonsen.jp/ @JOnsenUnconf
57. When Visiting Japan If you travel to Japan, don’t miss JJUG Feel free to contact me @zinbe / @jjug I recommend “Conference-driven Travel”
58. Important Remind Next CCC is on Nov 15th, 2025 The following one is on May 30th, 2026 CfP will be on February, 2026 Next JOnsen will be held around May 30th ,2026
59. Thank You @zinbe / @jjug