President's Welcome Message

It is with great pleasure and honor that I announce the 31st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Palliative Medicine, to be held from Friday, June 19 to Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Fukuoka International Congress Center and Marine Messe Fukuoka Halls A and B.

Since our founding in 1996, the Japanese Society of Palliative Medicine has grown into a leading academic organization with over 12,000 members. Our members represent a diverse range of disciplines, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, medical social workers, and rehabilitation specialists. It is a profound honor to serve as the President for this significant event.

Our theme for this year's meeting is "Listening to Voices, Creating Together." We believe palliative care should not be a specialized treatment for a select few, but rather a "universal care" that is accessible to everyone. We aim to integrate this care into the wider community and create opportunities for all of us to think together about the support that is truly needed.

In today's society, the need for palliative care is more pressing than ever. Its importance extends beyond cancer area to a wide range of non-cancer conditions, such as dementia, kidney failure, Parkinson's disease, ALS, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and COPD. It is also crucial for children, the elderly, and for addressing complex social challenges like "isolation." As medical advancements allow more people to live with chronic illness, it is imperative that we sincerely listen to the "voices" of patients. We must address their challenges not only from a medical perspective but also by working together as a society.

With this in mind, our conference will have a strong academic program while also creating a space for lively discussion. We will focus on working with the wider community—an area we believe has not been explored enough—while keeping our academic standards high.

We have also planned many events for the public and children, giving people of all ages and backgrounds a chance to think about palliative care. We are also making sure the conference is welcoming and accessible for families and children.

The organizing committee is working tirelessly to make this conference a memorable and impactful event. I eagerly look forward to welcoming you all to Fukuoka.