Greetings
Message from the President
44th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery
Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Hiroshima University
President, 44th Annual Meeting of JATS
It is my great pleasure to inform you that the 44th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery will be held on May 13–14, 2027, in Hiroshima, with Hotel Granvia Hiroshima serving as the main venue. Since the inaugural meeting in Tokyo in 1984, the conference has continued to grow and evolve, and it is a distinct honor for us to host this milestone event in the Chugoku region for the very first time. This opportunity brings tremendous joy and pride to our department, as well as to our alumni and colleagues.
Thoracic surgery is currently undergoing an unprecedented period of transformation. In 2022, the landmark Japan-led trial JCOG0802/WJOG4607L was published in The Lancet, redefining the international standard surgical procedure for early-stage lung cancer from lobectomy to segmentectomy. This study has been widely recognized as a historic breakthrough in our field.
In addition, rapid advancements in minimally invasive techniques have accelerated the standardization of video-assisted thoracic surgery and robot-assisted surgery. For advanced lung cancer, the integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors and molecular targeted agents into perioperative regimens has ushered in a new era of personalized treatment. These evolving strategies reflect a growing emphasis on organ function preservation and patient-centered care.
With these developments in mind, the theme of this year’s meeting—
“Beyond Excellence ―LESS IS MORE: The Pursuit of Functional Preservation―”—
aims to foster multidisciplinary discussions on the future direction of thoracic surgery and to inspire new insights that will shape the next generation of our discipline.
I sincerely look forward to welcoming you to Hiroshima. Together, let us build the Next Stage of our community, advance a vibrant and innovative future for thoracic surgery, and share our collective achievements with the world.