President’s welcome message

It is our great honor to host the 56th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Cardiovascular Surgery in Chiba City. As organizers of this prestigious and historically significant meeting, we, along with our colleagues, are committed to making this event fruitful and meaningful. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all members who have nominated and approved us for this responsibility.

The theme of this meeting is “Experience. Expertise. Evolution.” In recent years, the treatment of cardiovascular diseases has been evolving rapidly under the concept of "minimally invasive" techniques. New devices and procedures are continuously emerging, blurring the boundaries between cardiology and cardiovascular surgery. Many cardiovascular surgeons recognize the importance of incorporating these advancements (evolution) into treatments without delay. We look forward to discussing and sharing various aspects of this evolution at our meeting.

At the same time, the excellence of cardiovascular surgery in treating complex and combined heart and vascular diseases with outstanding long-term outcomes is something that we, as cardiovascular surgeons, take great pride in. Particularly in Japan, unique treatment strategies and surgical techniques have evolved differently from those in Western countries, yielding remarkable results. The experience accumulated in our country, along with the expertise developed, must be effectively passed down to the next generation of young surgeons. Sharing both successful experiences (bailouts) and challenging cases (nightmares) is crucial for collective learning. Furthermore, daily clinical experiences drive our continuous efforts to improve outcomes. This accumulation of knowledge and refinement is the foundation of evolution. We aim to create an opportunity for all participants to share and learn from each other.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of web-based conferences. However, it has also reaffirmed the significance of attending meetings in person, where participants can experience the enthusiasm of their peers, engage in direct discussions, and exchange ideas. Therefore, for this meeting, we aim to foster interactive discussions by ensuring ample time for debate. We also plan to allow sufficient intervals between sessions to facilitate discussions on the floor.

Furthermore, with internationalization in mind, we are designing our program to encourage the participation of many cardiovascular surgeons from abroad. Many doctors from Asia, Europe, and other regions have expressed interest in the advanced surgical techniques and outstanding outcomes achieved in Japan. However, some hesitate to participate due to the limited number of English sessions. Sharing Japan's exceptional surgical expertise and results with the world is a key mission of this society. To this end, we will enhance the number of English sessions. Specifically, the major presentations in the main halls will primarily be conducted in English, and all sessions will include international invited speakers as chairs or commentators. Additionally, we plan to continue the joint session with EACTS (European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery), following its successful implementation in the past two meetings. Some may feel that discussions in English do not progress as smoothly, but for Japanese cardiovascular surgery to gain the recognition it deserves and for our members to thrive globally, we must take this path. We sincerely ask for your cooperation and support.

The environment surrounding cardiovascular surgery in Japan is undergoing significant changes. The decline in young doctors pursuing surgical careers is alarming, and the outflow of talent to other countries continues. Many of you may share concerns about the future of cardiovascular surgery in Japan. However, compared to Western countries, the challenging working conditions faced by Japanese cardiovascular surgeons are finally being addressed through work-style reforms. With this momentum, we are now moving toward genuine improvements in our working environment. To achieve this, consolidating medical facilities, establishing attractive training programs for young surgeons, and advocating for better remuneration and working conditions to society and government are essential roles of this society. We will hold sessions dedicated to discussing these crucial issues and accelerating improvements in our field.

The meeting will be held over three days, from February 21 to 23, 2026, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you to Chiba, engaging in passionate discussions, and sharing valuable insights. We sincerely hope for the participation of many colleagues from Japan and abroad.