Welcome Greeting
Tomokazu Yoshizaki
President, The 128th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of
Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,
Professor and Chairman, Dept. Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,
Kanazawa University
We are pleased to announce that the 128th Annual Meeting and Scientific Congress of the Japanese Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery will be held in Kanazawa City from Wednesday, May 26, to Saturday, May 29, 2027. Kanazawa University is affectionately known locally as "Shiko"—a nickname derived from the Fourth Higher School (*Dai-yon Koto Gakko*), its predecessor institution. Reflecting this, we have chosen the following theme for the congress: "In the Castle Town of Balmy May Breezes: Thought, Direction, Implementation, and Excellence—The DNA of Shiko." The event will take place at the Ishikawa Prefectural Music Hall, so call Ishikawa Ongakudo,—located just a one-minute walk from Kanazawa Station—as well as at the adjacent ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kanazawa and Hotel Nikko Kanazawa.
In the modern medical landscape—including the fields of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery—we are witnessing the personalization and optimization of diagnosis and treatment. Advances include treatment strategies based on genetic diagnosis, new surgical support devices (such as endoscopes and robots), assistive technologies for swallowing, respiration, and hearing, and the emergence of immunotherapies. As treatment outcomes improve, there is growing importance placed on preserving function and facilitating rehabilitation to ensure patients can return to their daily lives and society. Furthermore, we must address the changing medical environment driven by digital transformation (DX) and AI. These trends are accelerating rapidly not only in Japan but across the globe. At this congress, we aim to deepen our understanding of rapidly evolving science, technology, and medicine—together with participants from both Japan and abroad—and explore themes that can be applied to future clinical practice. We look forward to welcoming you.
May is a beautiful season in Kanazawa, offering a captivating harmony of nature and historic architecture. From the *kakitsubata* (Japanese irises) in Kenrokuen Garden to the chirping of birds, the murmuring of streams, the scent of fresh greenery, and a culinary scene ranging from evolving Kaga cuisine to local "B-grade gourmet" favorites, we are confident that your experiences here will leave a lasting impression. We also hope that, if possible, you might take the opportunity to visit the Noto region, which is currently making strides from devastating earthquake attack toward recovery. We sincerely look forward to welcoming you all.
