I am Yutaka Osuga, and I have the honor of serving as the President of the 76th Annual Congress of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

What is appeal of the Annual Congress of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology? For me, I think the appeal lies in its diversity. It is a space where physicians both young and old, at clinics and large hospitals, in urban and rural areas, and from a variety of disciplines can gather together once a year in their capacity as obstetricians, gynecologists and other professionals to learn. The content of lectures is also multi-faceted and provide attendees with opportunities to learn about cutting-edge medicine, medical practices around the world and standard medical care. Abstracts serve as the basis for sharing and discussing the latest data in research, while symposiums allow attendees to learn about the newest concepts and trends. Another unique aspect of this annual congress can be found in the opportunities available to listen to presentations on social issues related to obstetrics and gynecology, as well as developments in the medical field as a whole. Attendees can also discover useful hints for medical treatments of the future from the many corporate exhibits on site. This annual congress will be a chance for us to meet, talk, learn, and, once we clock out from work, have fun with the many friends and colleagues we were unable to meet up with due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All of us here at the University of Tokyo are working hard to get ready for this event with the hope that we will remember just how much our lives can be enriched by taking part in this once-a-year congress.

As birthrates continue to fall, obstetrics and gynecology are vitally important specialties in the field of medical care. There is still much for us as physicians and medical professionals to do and plenty that remains to be done. I believe that we are entering an era in which we must all work together to make strides in medical care for women and their children. For this reason, we have decided that the theme of this annual congress will be “Walk hand-in-hand into the expansive future of obstetrics and gynecology.” Despite the fact that there are calls for women to play more active roles in society, they may face unwanted pregnancies or be unable to receive prenatal care, while both women and children may be victims of abuse, domestic violence, or encounter other situations requiring medical intervention. Although advances in cancer treatments have increased survival rates, new challenges have emerged, such as preserving fertility and improving the quality of life. As we honor the origin of obstetrics and gynecology, let us work on providing total support for women throughout their lives and move forward to a brighter future ahead by demonstrating the comprehensive strength of obstetrics and gynecology in Japan. The 76th annual congress will take place on April 19 to 21, 2024 at Pacifico Yokohama North (opened in 2020). We at the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology are looking forward to the future and to meeting you all for the first time in this season blossoming with new life.