Dear Colleagues:

The 80th Annual Meeting of the Japan Radiological Society (JRS) will be held in Yokohama Japan on 15-18 April 2021 along with the 77th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Radiology Technology (JSRT), the 121th Scientific Meeting of the Japan Society of Medical Physics (JSMP) and the International Exhibition of Medical Imaging (ITEM) 2021.

Covid-19 continues to affect our ordinary life and has grossly impacted our economy and the whole world’s as well. It erupted in December 2019, eventually spread throughout the world, and was declared pandemic on March 11, 2020 by the WHO. Almost all the congresses and meetings were either postponed or cancelled so far and research, education, medical treatment have stagnated. After the state of emergency was lifted, the infected population increased again and now, we are uncertain when the pandemic will be subdued. I sincerely hope it comes to an end soon. Meanwhile, we have to find the best possible way to overcome it and hold the congress safely.

This year, the 79th Annual Meeting of the Japan Radiological Society (JRC2020) was successfully held online. After rigorous discussions among all 4 societies, we are pushing through with the JRC2021 next year. The congress shall be a hybrid of On-Site and On-Line format, the former is necessary, and the latter is convenient. The conference will take place on-site at the Pacifico Yokohama where active discussion during research presentations will be held, and educational lectures will be delivered on-line. The theme of JRC2021 is “Milestones and Beyond”, since this is the 80th annual meeting which marks another decade of our organization. What have enabled us to come this far in doing radiological diagnosis and treatment now are the achievements of leading doctors. We must maintain its prosperity and hand it over to the next generation.

The 18th Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology (AOCR) will be held at the Pacifico Yokohama North at the same period. The Pacifico Yokohama North is newly built and is next to the Pacifico Yokohama. The Asian Oceanian Society of Radiology (AOSR), the host organization of the AOCR, marks their 50th Anniversary next year. It is my great honor to host and celebrate the milestones of both congresses at such a historic year.

To ensure the health and safety of attendees, we will make absolutely sure that our venue will be strictly guided in avoiding the Three Cs: Closed spaces, Crowded places and Close-contact settings.

May we all continue to emerge from the challenges brought about by the pandemic and make another milestone as we move forward.

I look forward to meeting all of you at the 80th JRS in the beautiful port city of Yokohama.