WELCOME MESSAGE
WELCOME MESSAGE
Takehiro Hachisuka,
Congress President,
President of the Japanese Hernia Society
Hello, all hernia friends in the world!
I'm Dr. Takehiro Hachisuka, President of the Japanese Hernia Society. We are going to hold APHS 2026 in Osaka, Japan. It has been ten years since Dr. Shintaro Sakurai held APHS 2016 in Tokyo for the first time in Japan. The theme of the conference is "Hernia Surgery: Past, Present, and the Future". We look back on the history of hernia surgery and discuss a lot of current topics of hernia surgery, looking ahead to the future.
As everybody knows, Osaka is one of the attractive cities in the world. We are now planning to have many discussions about hernia surgery and a lot of fun during the conference week. We would like you to enjoy eating Osaka foods, sightseeing in Kyoto, and talking among all hernia friends from all over the world .
We are looking forward to seeing you in November 2026, the best season of Japan. Now, let's join us!
Takeyuki Misawa, MD, PhD, FACS, FJCS
Chief Organizing Chairperson, APHS 2026
Executive Board-member, Japanese Hernia Society (JHS)
Professor, Department of Surgery, Teikyo University School of Medicine
Dear friends of the global hernia community,
It is my profound honor and sincere pleasure to welcome you all to Osaka for the upcoming APHS Congress, held under the distinguished presidency of Professor Takehiro Hachisuka. As many of you will recall, ten years have passed since Professor Shintaro Sakurai hosted APHS 2016 in Tokyo. In that decade, our field has advanced at a breathtaking pace — from the evolution of laparoscopic surgery and the rise of robotic techniques to the remarkable emergence of artificial intelligence in medicine.
And yet, despite these dramatic transformations, one thing has remained constant — and has only grown stronger with time: the enduring bonds of friendship, collaboration, and shared purpose that unite us as hernia surgeons across the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.
Osaka, Japan’s vibrant second-largest city, is a place rich in culture, warmth, and irresistible charm. We are truly excited to gather with you here, to exchange knowledge, deepen our camaraderie, and create meaningful memories together.
We warmly invite you to join us — and to bring your colleagues as well — for what promises to be an inspiring and unforgettable meeting.
Nozomi Ueno, MD, PhD
Local Organizing Chairperson, APHS2026 in Osaka
Executive Board-member, Japanese Hernia Society (JHS)
Chief director, Saiseikai Suita Hospital, Hernia Center
Clinical Professor, Kobe University School of Medicine
Welcome to APHS 2026 in Osaka
In 2026, APHS will be held in Japan for the first time in ten years, with Osaka City as the host. The previous APHS in Japan took place in Tokyo in 2016.
Osaka is the second-largest economic center in Japan, situated in the western region near Kyoto, with a population of approximately 2.7 million. Historically, Osaka has flourished as a merchants’ city and is widely recognized as the culinary capital of the nation.
The city is renowned for its extensive urban canals and bridges, earning it the nickname “City of Water.” The Grand Cube Osaka, the selected venue, is conveniently located in Nakanoshima, a waterfront area at the heart of the city surrounded by numerous art museums and cultural institutions.
Osaka functions as a key transportation hub within Japan. It offers excellent connectivity: trains travel from Osaka to Kyoto in about 30 minutes, and the Shinkansen (bullet train) connects Osaka to Tokyo in approximately two hours and thirty minutes. Kansai International Airport (KIX) serves as the gateway to Osaka, with a comfortable express train providing access to the city center in roughly one hour.
Osaka possesses a distinctive culture shaped by its history as a center of commerce. Residents take pride in their heritage and exhibit characteristics reflective of the city's unique cultural development.
Owing to its accessibility and hospitality, Osaka has welcomed many international guests in recent years. We are confident that Osaka is an ideal location to host APHS members.
November is in the season of autumn leaves and considered an optimal time for travel to Japan and Osaka as well as spring when cherry blossoms bloom.
See you in Osaka in November 2026.