We are pleased to announce that the 111th General Meeting of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology will be held over a 3-day period from Thursday April 24 through Saturday April 26, 2025 at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo in Shinjuku. Established in 1898, the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology has witnessed remarkable growth since its inaugural meeting in 1899, proudly celebrating its 100th meeting in 2014. It is a great honor to serve as the president at this 111th general meeting of this society with a long history and tradition. This occasion will mark the first time in 14 years that our department will host the general meeting since Professor Toshifumi Hibi took office as president at the 97th meeting in 2011. My colleagues and I have totally dedicated ourselves to preparing for this momentous event.

This meeting takes “Interconnections Among Organs in Gastroenterology” as its main theme. Gastroenterology itself encompasses various organs including the digestive tract, liver and biliary and pancreas thus highlighting the field’s diversity. Each organ possesses unique structural and functional characteristics, necessitating its own tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Given the intricate relationships among these organs, taking a holistic approach from fundamental research to clinical application, is crucial. We therefore believe it essential to adopt a multidisciplinary perspective that emphasizes the interconnectedness of these organs rather than simply applying a narrow focus on one specialty. The crosstalk between organs within the digestive system, mediated by the nervous, endocrine, immune, circulatory, and metabolic systems, is essential for maintaining homeostasis, thus facilitating an understanding of the disease pathogenesis. Advances in gastroenterology are essential for improving human health. We want this meeting to serve as a platform for examining gastroenterology from a comprehensive standpoint and foster the creation of knowledge leading to innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

In addition to special and invited lectures, this 111th General Meeting of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology will present an exceptional project entitled “Proposals for the Development of Physician Scientists from Each Generation.” The international session will focus on “Advances in Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases.” This meeting will encompass a total of 45 thematic sessions, including 15 sessions each of dedicated symposiums, panel discussions, and workshops. In our endeavor to internationalize the meeting, we will introduce a novel initiative featuring 4 English-language symposium sessions. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the officers, councilors of the Society, and members of the program committee for their invaluable support in planning and organizing this prestigious event.

As the poster for this meeting, I have chosen to feature the work “Ruddy Kingfisher by the Sea in Early Summer” by the esteemed Japanese painter Isson Tanaka, with the gracious permission of his family. At the age of 50, Isson Tanaka relocated to Amami Oshima, my grandfather’s hometown and a place closely tied to my family roots. Through his meticulous observations and remarkable artistic talent, he captured the essence of Amami Oshima’s natural beauty in his exquisite flower and bird paintings, crafting a unique and enchanting vision. Tanaka’s dedication to exploring new motifs and unwavering commitment to his own distinctive style is something that deeply resonates within all of us as researchers. My hope is that this general meeting will serve as a fertile ground for you to discover your own new motifs that foster innovation and creativity in your work.