Welcome Message

I am pleased to announce that our ophthalmology department at Niigata University will host the 129th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society (JOS) to be held from April 17 to 20, 2025 at the Tokyo International Forum. In the almost 130-year history of the JOS Annual Meeting, this is the third time for Niigata University to serve as its host, following the 28th Annual Meeting in 1924, one hundred years ago, and the 62nd Annual Meeting in 1958. Thus it is the first time in 67 years for us to host this prestigious meeting. During these years, we were delighted to host the 39th Annual Congress of Japan Clinical Ophthalmology, which is already 40 years ago. It is a great honor for us to take on this important role, and we would like to express our deep gratitude to the JOS members for giving us this valuable opportunity.

The theme of the 129th Annual Meeting is “Science has great beauty,” which is taken from the words of Madame Curie, “I am among those who think that science has great beauty. A scientist in his laboratory is not only a technician: he is also a child placed before natural phenomena which impress him like a fairy tale.” As one of those who are fascinated by the wonder and beauty of science through ophthalmologic clinical practice and research, I hope to remain enthralled by the excitement and beauty of research. This notion is reflected in the Meeting’s theme. I hope that the forthcoming JOS Annual Meeting will provide another occasion for you to reacknowledge and rediscover the beauty of ophthalmologic clinical practice and research.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, various new-normal practices were proposed and established. Now that the COVID-19 crisis is over, society is heading into a new era through a trial-and-error process. This is also the case for JOS: we will organize the 129th JOS Annual Meeting in a manner suitable for the new era by incorporating your opinions and suggestions. To be specific, it will be held in the standard hybrid format, combining in-person sessions with on-demand streaming. In large-scale academic meetings such as this where multiple sessions are run in parallel, the hybrid meeting system is highly beneficial, as it enables us to view sessions we cannot attend in-person via on-demand streaming. It also allows those who cannot travel to the meeting venue to learn the latest knowledge from home. That said, I think the COVID-19 pandemic has made many of you recognize the importance, worth and fun of meeting and speaking face-to-face. I would thus encourage you to attend the 129th JOS Annual Meeting in person if possible.

I am honored to serve as President of the 129th JOS Annual Meeting, and to work with Vice-President, Dr. Toyohisa Yoshizawa, President of the Niigata Ophthalmologists Association , and Chair of the Program Committee, Dr. Susumu Ishida, Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Hokkaido University. Special sessions of the program, including special lectures, invited lectures, and symposiums, have almost been finalized; they will address the latest ophthalmologic topics and feature distinguished speakers. I would like to thank the members of the Program Committee for crafting such a stimulating program.

In hosting this Annual Meeting, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the directors, auditors, councilors, and members of JOS, as well as members of the Japan Ophthalmologists Association. I am also grateful for the constant support from staff of the JOS Secretariat, members of the Niigata Ophthalmologists Association, alumni of ophthalmology at the School of Medicine, Niigata University, and many sponsoring companies. I would greatly appreciate your continued cooperation for the 129th JOS Annual Meeting.