Welcome Message

Yoshihide Mitani
President of the 61st Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
Professor, Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Perinatal Intensive Unit
Mie University Hospital, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine

It is a great honor to organize the 61st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, which will be held on July 10-12, 2025, at the Mie Center For the Arts in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. I am humbled by this opportunity in Mie, because it is the first time this annual meeting will take place in Mie.

This conference is devoted to advancing lifelong medical and health support for patients with cardiovascular diseases originating in childhood. The theme for this year’s meeting, “Weaving the Future of Pediatric Cardiology, Practice and Healthcare – New Paradigm, Networking, and Inclusiveness for Children and Beyond,” reflects our commitment to embracing new paradigms that shape the future of our field. In recent years, rapid changes have impacted our society, from the enactment of the Basic Act on Stroke and Cardiovascular Disease Control and the Basic Act on Child Health and Development in 2018 to the release of their basic policies in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In 2022, the government introduced a policy to promote medical digital transformation (DX), followed by the establishment of the Children and Family Agency in 2023. These developments signify a need for collaborative, cross-disciplinary approaches to enrich the fields of medicine, healthcare, and welfare. We are witnessing advancements that will reinforce comprehensive healthcare over a lifetime, from new drugs and device therapies to early diagnosis initiatives, including fetal and neonatal screenings and school-based heart screenings. These are complemented by enhanced support for independent living and the transition to adult healthcare. Research continues to progress, integrating regenerative medicine, genome science, and data-driven studies, and fostering collaboration across engineering and data sciences to support prevention and early diagnosis. Our theme reflects our collective goal of re-envisioning pediatric cardiology through new paradigms, expanded networks, and an unwavering focus on patient-centered care, transcending traditional boundaries.

Since its founding in 1965, our society has brought together pediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in a unique multidisciplinary conference, both internationally and within Japan. In recent years, our meetings have expanded to welcome professionals from diverse fields, including cardiologists, intensivists, obstetricians, researchers, nurses, clinical engineers, pharmacists, and diagnostic technicians. Advances in perinatal care and medical technology have allowed 95% of patients with congenital heart disease to reach adulthood, underscoring the significance of our society’s work across all age groups. The conference has grown to host approximately 2,000 participants and features around 800 research presentations, including distinguished lectures, sessions co-hosted with the American Heart Association (AHA), the Association for European Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC), the Taiwan Society of Pediatric Cardiology (TSPC), and various domestic societies. This assembly draws many participants from Asia and, alongside AHA and AEPC, is recognized as one of the world’s large-scale pediatric cardiology conferences.

The venue, Tsu City in Mie Prefecture, is conveniently accessible—50 minutes from Nagoya by train, 80 minutes from Osaka Namba, and 45 minutes from Chubu International Airport by ferry. We hope you will take this opportunity to explore nearby attractions, such as the Ise Jingu Shrine, the historic Okage Yokocho and Oharaimachi districts, and the scenic Ise-Shima region. We look forward to welcoming you to a vibrant, inspiring conference filled with lively discussions and fruitful interactions.