Osamu Ukimura, M.D., Ph.D.

Congress President of the 113th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Urological Association

Professor and Chairman, Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine

The 113th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Urological Association (JUA) will be held from April 23 to April 26, 2026 (Thursday to Sunday), at the Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto, Japan. It is a great honor to be appointed as the chairperson of the academic general meeting of this esteemed association, which consists of approximately 10,000 members. In recent years, the advancement of urology has been remarkable including the development of surgical methods represented by robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, new immune system‐related medicines, innovative diagnostic methods, and precision medicine based on genomic diagnosis. Thus, the field of urology has been undergoing continuous development, ranging from the use of traditional diagnostic techniques and, minimally invasive and endoscopic diagnosis to treatment options aimed at functional preservation, broader choices regarding endoscopic therapeutic intervention methods, and improvements in the combination and quality of multidisciplinary medical care. From a bird’s-eye view, I feel it is no exaggeration to say that urology,—which now encompasses practices ranging from preventive medicine to multidisciplinary treatment, including cutting-edge medical therapy, surgery, and radiation therapy based on innovative diagnosis—has become a major driver of clinical medicine. 

In this light, the theme of our 113th Annual Meeting  will be “Crystal of Love and Wisdom,”. We believe it symbolizes an academic conference based on the philosophy of “Patient first” and our love for humanity, where wisdom is the foundation of innovation, where we utilize conventional medical technology but also develop revolutionary technology, striving to increase patient satisfaction and improve prognosis. Therefore, the Society has created an important agenda for discussion encompassing the following: introduction of innovative medical approaches, clinical trials, and cutting-edge medical intervention technologies; realization of innovative diagnosis; social implementation of treatment options that can maintain QOL and control pathology; and the possibility of academic results being truly enjoyed by patients in real-world settings. Of course, we shall also  enrich our conference with president’s events, overseas guest lectures, and educational lectures. Furthermore, we hope you will look forward to cultural events such as “Kyoto Culture Lectures” and “Dance (Gion-Buyou)” that will celebrate Kiyomizu ware, Zen, food culture, and the entertainment district, —representatives of Kyoto’s contemporary culture that has inherited a thousand years of history and tradition, as these event will move the hearts of not only Japanese participants but also attendees from around the world. In addition, from April 25 to April 26, 2026, the association will host the International Symposium on Focal Therapy and Imaging in Prostate and Kidney Cancer, which was previously held in Kyoto in 2019. We hope you will participate in this conference, where world leaders in “targeted cancer therapy,” —a type of cancer treatment which aims to achieve both functional preservation (through organ preservation) and cancer control—, will hold discussions.

In 2026, the Department of Urology at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine will host JUA’s Annual Meeting  for the first time. While we are aware that we may have many shortcomings, we will do our best to provide participants with an opportunity to exchange information in a meaningful way. We aim to conduct a memorable general meeting. We look forward to seeing you in Kyoto the spring in 2026.