Welcome Message
Congress President Ichiro Yasuda, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toyama
I am pleased to announce that the 113th Congress of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society will be held in Toyama for the three days from May 27 to 29, 2027. This will mark the second time for the JGES congress to be run by members of the University of Toyama, 21 years after Prof. Michio Tanaka presided over the 72nd session at DDW-Japan 2006 in Sapporo in 2006. It will also be the first hosting of the congress in Toyama. My fellow department members, other colleagues, and I are overjoyed to have this unprecedentedly immense opportunity to host the congress of a major scientific society that boasts a 35,000-strong membership and a long history going back 67 years to its founding in 1959. We are deeply grateful to JGES President Shinji Tanaka for supporting this opportunity for us, and to the many other colleagues who have lent their backing. I imagine that some members may have concerns about the holding of such a large event in a provincial city, but please rest assured that we will do our best to prepare a satisfying congress for everyone.
The theme of the 113th Congress will be “In Pursuit of Authentic Clinical Endoscopy.” Endoscopic medicine has produced numerous techniques, devices, and insights over the course of its lengthy history. While some of those creations successfully evolved through continuous development and improvement, a significant number of others were gradually forgotten after a brief moment in the spotlight or even vanished without ever seeing the light of day. Today, our world is inundated with information of questionable veracity, and the field of endoscopy is no exception. It is vital for the endoscopic community to not only pursue authentic, truly beneficial science that is grounded in hard theory and data and is not swayed by market interests or dogmatic claims, but also link that science to future. It is my hope that the 113th Congress will serve this purpose.
Our preparations include planning diverse events that will enable the general public to engage with the congress, such as open lectures, an endoscopy experience seminar for children, an educational panel exhibition, food trucks, and a “Masuzushi (trout pressed sushi) Grand Prix” in which visitors can savor one of Toyama’s local delicacies. So, please be sure to bring your families along and enjoy the pleasures of Toyama together. Toyama City is an appealing destination that was selected as one of The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go” in 2025. It offers an indescribably nostalgic cityscape where streetcars run against the breathtaking backdrop of the Tateyama Mountain Range, as well as outstanding seafood caught in Toyama Bay, a body of water that locals call “a natural fish tank.” We also invite you to enjoy savory sake along with mouthwatering sushi. We very much look forward to having many of you join us in Toyama for the 113th Congress.
