The 56th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research

Yoshiharu Kawaguchi, M.D., Ph.D.
Congress President,
The 56th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research (JSSR 2027)
Professor & Chairman,
Department of Orthopedics, Toyama University, Japan

Kazuhiro Hasegawa, M.D., Ph.D.
Congress President,
The 56th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research (JSSR 2027)
Executive Director,
Niigata Spine Surgery Center, Japan

It is our great honor to host the 56th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research (JSSR), to be held from Thursday, April 15 to Saturday, April 17, 2027, at the Kyoto International Conference Center. For the first time in the history of the Society, the meeting will be jointly chaired by Yoshiharu Kawaguchi and Kazuhiro Hasegawa.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “Spine and Spinal Cord Medicine: Striving for Goodness and Truth in Harmony.” In the profound and ever-evolving field of spine and spinal cord medicine, all who dedicate themselves to patient care must continually strive for the highest good — deepening their understanding of disease and refining the art and science of treatment for each individual patient. At the same time, we must avoid self-righteousness and instead approach the truth that underlies diagnosis and treatment through harmony: collaboration across professions, generations, regions, and nations. This theme embodies our shared aspirations for the future of our field.

The introduction of a dual-chair system, together with the joint convening of APSS-APPOS 2027 (Asia Pacific Spine Society–Asia Pacific Paediatric Orthopaedic Society), to be held from Friday, April 16 to Sunday, April 18 under the leadership of Professors Yukihiro Matsuyama, Masaya Nakamura, and Yutaka Inaba represents a historic step toward globalization beyond conventional frameworks, reflecting the very spirit of ‘goodness’ and ‘harmony.’ We will welcome distinguished international speakers from around the world and provide opportunities for active discussion in English, international collaborative research, and the development of young physicians and researchers who will lead the next generation.

Since its establishment in 1974, the JSSR has played a central role in advancing spine and spinal cord medicine in Japan through basic research, clinical science, and education, and has grown to include more than 4,000 members. At this 56th Annual Meeting, we will place particular emphasis on the following programs in order to further accelerate our internationalization efforts:

• Special Lectures: Internationally renowned speakers from Asia, Europe, and North America who are leading the forefront of spine and spinal cord surgery
• Combined Sessions with APSS and APPOS: Sharing knowledge on diseases and challenges particularly relevant to Asian countries — including tuberculous spondylitis, genetic polymorphisms in OPLL, surgical strategies in resource-limited settings, and treatments for spinal deformities — while building foundations for future international collaborative research
• English Presentation Award: Expanded support for Japanese physicians and researchers presenting in English
• Educational Lectures: International clinical guidelines, global perspectives on robotic surgery, digital transformation (DX) in healthcare, and international data collaboration
• Cultural Program: A lecture on haiku, a uniquely Japanese poetic expression cultivated through Japan’s cultural and spiritual traditions, together with a special reading centered on the theme of world peace
• Corporate Exhibitions and Hospitality: Opportunities to experience cutting-edge medical technologies, along with memorable hospitality unique to Kyoto

We warmly invite you to Kyoto — a city where 1,200 years of history, tranquility, and beauty continue to intertwine. We hope you will take time to enjoy its World Heritage sites, historic architecture, seasonal landscapes, spiritual atmosphere, and traditional streetscapes. Beyond academic exchange, we also hope that participants from Japan and abroad will relax both body and mind, deepen friendships and professional connections, and share memorable moments together over fine food and wine.

Hosting the meeting under a dual-chair system and in conjunction with APSS-APPOS is both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity. Guided by our theme, we look forward to working together with all of you to open a new chapter in the internationalization of the JSSR, beginning here in Kyoto.

We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to Kyoto.