Japan’s History with ICPM The ICPM was founded in 1970 with the aim of promoting the academic development and clinical application of psychosomatic medicine internationally. The first World Congress of Psychosomatic Medicine was held in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1971, and has since been held biennially around the world. The first congress in Japan was held in Kyoto in 1977 (the 4th congress), made possible through the efforts of Professor Yujiro Ikemi and other Japanese researchers. This congress marked a historic milestone in significantly increasing the international recognition of psychosomatic medicine in Japan. The 21st congress in Kobe in 2006 was the second time the congress was held in Japan, with Professor Tomifusa Kuboki of the University of Tokyo and Professor Chiharu Kubo of Kyushu University serving as co-chairs. The presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress at the time was a historic moment, demonstrating that psychosomatic medicine has become a discipline that transcends academic disciplines and enjoys widespread social recognition. It dramatically increased the recognition of psychosomatic medicine in Japan and its international reach. •  1977 Kyoto:   Psychosomatic Medicine: A Core Approach to Clinical Medicine, Education, Practice, Research and Theory •  2005 Kobe:   Scientific Approaches to the Mind and Body •  2026 Fukuoka:   Revitalizing Psychosomatic Medicine: Asian perspectives and global integration   Professor Ikemi at the 4th Congress, Kyoto, 1977 The 21st Congress, Kobe, 2005 - attended by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan