Dear distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the Fifth Triangle Symposium of the Japan-Hungary-Poland Surgical Society here in Nagoya. We are delighted to host this significant event in such a vibrant and historic city.

Our society was founded on the strong friendship between Professor József Sándor of Hungary and the late Professor Masaki Kitajima of Japan. The first meeting was held in Budapest in 2001, marking the beginning of what would become a unique and enduring collaboration. Although the symposium was interrupted by the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, it was revived in 2006 and has continued to grow ever since. In 2014, our Polish colleagues joined the symposium, further enriching its scope and transforming it into the Triangle Symposium that we know today.

Sadly, in 2019, we lost one of the symposium’s founders, Professor Masaki Kitajima. In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic posed a new challenge, but even in those trying times, we were able to hold the Masaki Kitajima Memorial Symposium online, under the leadership of Professor Yuko Kitagawa as the symposium’s president.

Now, with the end of the pandemic, we are finally able to gather in person for the Fifth Triangle Symposium. This marks our first face-to-face meeting in seven years, and we are excited to reunite with old friends and make new connections.

Nagoya, located in the heart of Japan, is home to the iconic Nagoya Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1610. The golden shachihoko, a mythical creature resembling a fish, is famously perched atop the castle. Nagoya is also known for its distinctive local cuisine, including hitsumabushi (grilled eel), miso katsu (deep-fried pork cutlet with red miso), and kishimen (flat udon noodles), which we hope you will enjoy during your stay.

As we engage in stimulating academic discussions during this symposium, we also invite you to experience the rich culture of Japan, indulge in its delicious food, and deepen the bonds of friendship among us.

Once again, thank you for joining us. We look forward to a productive and memorable symposium.

Warmest regards,
Norihito Wada, M.D, Ph.D., F.A.C.S.
Secretary-General, The Fifth Triangle Symposium of the Japan-Hungary-Poland Surgical Society