The 78th General Meeting of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery
Kenichi Hakamada, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery
Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine
Hirosaki, Japan
We are pleased to host the 78th General Meeting of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery on July 12 (Wed), 13 (Thu), and 14 (Fri), 2023, in Hakodate, Japan. This will be the third time in 37 years since the late Prof. Kiyota Ouchi held the 12th Annual Meeting (Hirosaki, 1978) and the late Prof. Keiichi Ono held the 28th Annual Meeting (Aomori, 1986) in our department. It is a great honor for us to once again host a meeting of a society with such history and tradition, and I am filled with a sense of responsibility. First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the members for giving me this precious opportunity.
The main theme of the Meeting is "Harmony across boundaries. Challenges beyond borders”. In the midst of drastic changes in the social environment and rapid development of science and technology, we have expressed our belief that it is essential for the future development of gastroenterological surgery to gather wisdom and cooperation from many different fields and beyond boundaries, and that it is necessary to take on continuous challenges and to disseminate our achievements to the world.
The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery is a large society with approximately 20,000 members. Its facilities are diverse, ranging from state-of-the-art large-scale surgical facilities to medical institutions at the forefront of regional medicine. The membership is also very diverse, including new members, young, mid-career, veteran, female, and dual-worker physicians, as well as research physicians and general physicians. At the 78th General Meeting, we hope that all members with different backgrounds will work together as a colorful team to further enhance the practice of digestive surgery, promote the creation of innovations to overcome current challenges, and provide opportunities for many challenges to solve social problems we face. We have tried to organize the program from a variety of perspectives. We hope that this meeting will contribute greatly to the overall development of gastroenterology and surgical practice.
Currently, all individuals and organizations that make up society are required to work toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the 78th General Meeting, we will focus on three key issues: Colorful team (the fundamental power of diversity), Innovation (sustainable development through technological innovation), and Co-prosperity (co-prosperity with the local and global community). We will continue to promote the SDGs with the understanding and cooperation of participating members, companies, and local communities.
In July, Hakodate is experiencing a refreshing season like no other. It is also a paradise of food like no other. Geographically, Hakodate is the junction between Honshu and Hokkaido, a historical boundary city from Edo to Meiji Era, a city with a port that opened from Japan to the world, a city of multiple cultures, and an emotionally rich and scenic city with many historical buildings It is a city of boundaries where cooperation and challenges have been constantly repeated, which we feel is a perfect fit for the theme of our meeting.
Our department has historically had close ties to the city of Hakodate, and many of our members have worked at several affiliated hospitals in Hakodate. We are sincerely looking forward to welcoming you to the 78th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery in 2023 and hope that you will fully enjoy your stay in Hakodate.
See you in Hakodate.
Kenichi Hakamada, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery
Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine
Hirosaki, Japan
