It is my great honor to announce that the 37th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery will be held on June 13 (Friday) - 14 (Saturday), 2025, at the Karuizawa Prince Hotel West. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the members who have guided and supported us in organizing this meeting.

I joined the Department of Surgery II at Kyushu University in 1986, where I was trained for many years before joining the newly established Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at Gunma University in 2015. Since then, along with my colleagues, I have been dedicated to advancing safe surgical practices in the field of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. This commitment has led to my appointment as the Chairman of the Safety Management Committee and Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors of the Japanese Society (JSHBPS). Concurrently, with my appointment as an advisor to the Society’s “Next Generation Project”, I have been supporting its activities and working on the important issue of developing human capital.

At Gunma University, we have seen the emergence of six highly skilled specialists in our Society over the past eight years. This underscores my belief that JSHBPS is a vital organization that guides our path.

JSHBPS was established in 1989 as the first Japanese Forum of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, and was renamed the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery in 1993. Since then the Society has steadily developed, with the baton being passed from the honorary founder, Dr. Tadahiro Takada, to the honorary president, Dr. Masaru Miyazaki, to the former president, Dr. Masakazu Yamamoto, and Dr. Itaru Endo, to the current president, Dr. Masayuki Ohtsuka. Thanks to the tireless efforts and dedication of our predecessors and members, Japan’s outcomes in complex hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, as well as academic achievements, have reached an exceptionally high international standard. This will be the first time in our Society’s history that Gunma University has hosted one of our academic meetings, and all members of our department are diligently preparing for the meeting.

The theme of this year's meeting is "Lead the Next Generation”. In April this year, “Work Style Reform” was implemented, changing the way physicians work. The working environment for hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeons has traditionally been harsh, with many difficult and lengthy surgeries and a high incidence of post-operative complications. Moving forward, our goal is to achieve appropriate and sustainable working conditions for physicians while further advancing the field of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery pioneered by our predecessors, and foster the next generation of leaders in this field.

Karuizawa, where our conference will be held, has been cherished as a summer resort with a clear and refreshing climate since the Meiji era. This weather, as well as its Western-style food culture, churches and other buildings, and serene villa atmosphere originally developed for Westerners living in Japan, has made Karuizawa a popular tourist destination known for its attractions. We would be delighted if you could take this opportunity to visit Karuizawa during the lush green season of June, unwind from your busy life, and enjoy some time with your family and friends.

Finally, we sincerely hope that this academic meeting will serve as a gathering place where many participants from Japan and abroad can meet, engage in lively discussions, and deepen friendships. We are committed to making this a fruitful meeting, and we eagerly await your participation.