For the occasion of the 68th Autumn Annual Meeting
of the Japanese Society of Pathology

Chairman：Tamotsu Sugai,
Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology,
Iwate Medical University

　The 68th Autumn Special Meeting of the Japanese Society of Pathology will be held in the Morioka Civic Cultural Hall in the Iwate Prefectural Information Exchange Center on November 17 and 18, 2022. We have asked both Professor Tatsuki Kataoka and Professor Taro Irie of our university to serve as vice president. The catchphrase of the meeting is "Breakthrough and Innovation in Pathology.” This title is meant to foreshadow the cutting-edge future of the Japanese Society of Pathology, which will lead the Japanese academic societies in the coming years. Although the Fall Special Meeting will focus mainly on routine topics, it will inform members of the excellent systematic research conducted to date. Very few societies in Japan hold this type of meeting regularly; this style appears to be unique to the Japanese Society of Pathology.

　The main programs are the “Academic Research Award (A speech)”, “the Case Study Award (B speech)”, and “the Special Lecture on Pathological Diagnosis”, which are selected through rigorous screening by the Academic Committee. “A speech” is novel and very important study to evaluate pathogenesis of the disease. In addition, advanced topics in which pathologists have an interest are adopted. On the other hand, “B speech” contains important information for pathologists who are skilled at interpreting histological images. Special “Lectures on Histopathological Diagnosis”, given by experts in the field of histopathological diagnosis, are not merely explanations of the pathological diagnosis of a specific disease but are also explanations of the standard methods used worldwide, including the results of their own research. The contents of the lectures are practical for members to use in their own practice. The symposia designated by the President also include content as rich as the above lectures. One symposium, "Establishment of New Pathology Diagnostics by Introduction of Evidence-based Pathology (EBP)," was coordinated by Dr. Atsushi Ochiai. The second, "The Role of Pathology in Translational Research: Current Status and Future Challenges for the Next Generation," was proposed by me. The speakers were asked to explain their research simply, as research in molecular biology is not easy for a general audience to understand. I am confident that all symposia have cutting-edge content that will benefit our members. The poster presentations by our members are also expected to be excellent, so we look forward to them as well.

　Although we are not yet in a situation where new coronavirus infections are under control, the characteristics of this virus have been clarified to a considerable extent, and vaccines and antibody therapies have been introduced, which is a marked improvement over the knowledge and tools we possessed two years ago. We, the experts, cannot chart a course for the post-coronavirus period if we are afraid of the disease. With this in mind, we have decided to hold this conference in a hybrid, on-demand format, with the main event held on-site. All presenters, chairpersons, and position holders are requested to gather at the site, and although it is a bit cold in Morioka in November, this ancient city boasts delicious food and fine sake. I am sure that all of our members will be satisfied with this event. We will take the utmost care to prevent infection, so we ask for your understanding and active participation.

　In closing, I would like to express my sincere wishes for the growth and health of all our member teachers.