It is my honor to host the 36th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery on June 28-29, 2024 at the Hiroshima International Conference Center. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of our members for your guidance and support in organizing this meeting.

The theme of this meeting is “Finding Harmony between Science and Art in HBP Surgery”. In the post-genome era, when biotechnology has reached its peak of depth, I am sure that each and every hepatobiliary surgeon has his or her own opinion on what kind of harmony between life science and medical technology he or she should have in order to cultivate “science-based expertise”.
With fewer and fewer young doctors wishing to become surgeons, who must master advanced techniques, perform lengthy surgeries, and respond to emergencies, is it an empty question to aspire to contribute to life science as well? However, surgeons, who are faced with disease and know best the means of treatment needed by their patients, must be in harmony with science and technology in order to learn how to find a way through difficult clinical situations.

The Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery was founded in 1989 as the Japan Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Forum, which became the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery in 1993. Since its inception, “Art” and “Science” have been the management and action goals of the society. Dr. Tadahiro Takada, the honorary founder, Dr. Masaru Miyazaki, the honorary president, Dr. Masakazu Yamamoto, the former president, and Dr. Itaru Endo, the current president, have consistently taught and guided the importance of “disseminating scientific evidence created in Japan as medical technology to the world”. With this philosophy of the society as a backdrop, the Scientific Committee Committee has been guiding us in planning various sessions, such as a session to present examples of basic research and clinical research systems and activities, and a session on the rapidly developing minimally invasive treatment and multidisciplinary treatment for hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignant diseases.

I sincerely hope that the impact of the new coronavirus will be over by 2024.I also hope that many hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeons from Japan and abroad will gather in Hiroshima, a city that seeks world peace, to engage in heated discussions and to deepen our friendship. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.