Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress, has announced that the 2024 State of the Word address will be delivered from Tokyo, Japan. This is only the second time that the annual event will take place outside of North America, signifying a significant moment for the WordPress community. Last year, the address was given in Madrid, Spain.
The State of the Word is an eagerly anticipated event where Matt reflects on accomplishments, shares his vision for the future of WordPress, and provides a sneak peek into upcoming features and developments. It brings together WordPress enthusiasts from around the world to watch the event live and celebrate their passion for the platform.
When asked about choosing Japan as the location for the event, Matt expressed his excitement about showcasing the vibrant WordPress community in the country. He highlighted the fact that the very first translation of WordPress was in Japanese, which opened his eyes to the potential of WordPress beyond just a blogging tool for English speakers. He commended Japan for its market share in WordPress, the numerous books about the platform, and the warmth of the events held throughout the year.
Japan has a thriving WordPress community with a rich history. They were responsible for one of the first internationalized versions of WordPress, setting up a Japanese WordPress site just six months after its launch in December 2003. This version, originally called “WordPress ME” (WordPress Multilingual Edition), was maintained by a user named Otsukare who created a multilingual edition hack. Matt himself acknowledged the importance of localization code being included in the main release of WordPress.
The first WordCamp Tokyo took place in 2008 and was followed by subsequent editions that attracted large crowds. One notable contribution from the Japanese community is the adorable WordPress mascot, Wapuu. Originating from the 2009 WordCamp Tokyo after-party, Wapuu was designed by Kazuko Kaneuchi and later offered as a free gift to the entire WordPress community in 2011.
By choosing Tokyo as the venue for the State of the Word address, WordPress is emphasizing the massive and active user base it has in Japan and throughout Asia. This decision highlights the global reach and influence of WordPress as a leading content management system.
In conclusion, WordPress enthusiasts can look forward to the 2024 State of the Word address being delivered from Tokyo, Japan. This event is an opportunity for the community to come together, hear Matt Mullenweg’s reflections and plans for the future, and celebrate their passion for WordPress. With Japan’s rich history and active user base, it is sure to be an exciting and vibrant event.
