It is my honor to serve as Congress President of the 80th Annual Meeting of the Japan Esophageal Society. The meeting will be held on June 25–26, 2026, at Hotel Hamatsu in Koriyama, Fukushima. It is a great privilege to host this Meeting—renowned for its history and traditions—in Fukushima for the first time. We are preparing a robust scientific program and hospitality that highlights the character of our region so that you will truly enjoy your time in Fukushima.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “Resilience—Graceful Recovery.” Many esophageal diseases involve considerable challenges; with advances in surgery and pharmacotherapy, it is our sincere hope that patients will achieve recovery that is both flexible and assured. “Resilience” is also a word of special significance to Fukushima Prefecture residents, who have drawn strength from it throughout the long process of recovery following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Our theme reflects both our clinical aspirations and our regional experience.

Progress in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal disease has been remarkable. In particular, the development of robot-assisted surgery for esophageal cancer, innovations in neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and the evolution of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy mark a period of major transformation over the past decade. At the 80th meeting, we will take a deep dive into landmark studies originating in Japan—such as JCOG1109 and JCOG1409—and engage in thorough discussions about their implications and future directions. Regarding the SANO trial, which examined proactive surveillance after chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer, we have invited two distinguished speakers from Europe, Prof. Bas P. L. Wijnhoven and Prof. Magnus Nilsson, to enrich the debate from an international perspective. In addition, as a collaborative program with the Taiwan Society of Thoracic Surgeons (TSTS), we are planning a video symposium on surgical techniques for esophageal cancer featuring surgeons from Japan and Taiwan, alongside a full slate of international sessions. We also intend to organize numerous joint symposia with related societies on themes such as multidisciplinary care, team-based medicine, and collaboration with adjacent specialties.

Fukushima Prefecture is an attractive region blessed with abundant nature, local sake, hot springs, fruit, and historical sites. We hope you will take time between sessions—or over the weekend—to experience the local attractions. We warmly invite Society members to submit many abstracts, join us on site in Fukushima, and engage in lively, constructive discussion. We are making every effort to ensure a rewarding and memorable meeting and look forward to welcoming you.