Welcome Message

Toshinori Hirai, MD, PhD

President of JSIR 2026

Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology,
Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University

We are pleased to announce that the 55th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology (JSIR2026) will be held in Kumamoto from Thursday, May 21 to Saturday, May 23, 2026. This will be the first time in 34 years that the meeting is held in Kumamoto, since the 20th Annual Meeting was hosted by the late Professor Mutsumasa Takahashi in May 1992. I am truly delighted that this historic society meeting is returning to Kumamoto. Furthermore, this annual meeting represents a new endeavor, as it will be co-hosted by two Congress Presidents for the first time. I am deeply honored to co-manage this conference alongside Dr. Hiro Kiyosue, who has contributed for JSIR and continues to stand at the forefront of clinical practice.

Originating from the Japanese Society of Angiography and Interventional Radiology founded in 1974, this society took a new step forward as the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology in 2006, and has continued to develop through the dedicated efforts of numerous doctors. Today, Interventional radiology plays a role as a standard treatment for many diseases, and starting in fiscal year 2027, the Board Certified Interventional Radiologist system is scheduled to launch as a subspecialty under the Japanese Medical Specialty Board. Interventional radiology in Japan is truly at a turning point, entering a new stage.

For this annual meeting, under the theme "To be proud as a professional," we are planning a variety of programs that will examine the present and future of interventional radiology from multifaceted perspectives. Anticipating the launch of the new medical specialty system, we hope to provide a forum for a wide range of discussions, including the development of human resources to lead the next generation of JSIR, multidisciplinary collaboration, the intersection of clinical practice and research, and the redefinition of the social value of interventional radiology. In addition, capitalizing on the flexible ideas unique to a two-president system, we plan to organize initiatives with high educational significance and opportunities to share knowledge cultivated in clinical practice. We will strive to create an open academic meeting where IVR professionals from various positions can mutually contribute from their respective viewpoints.

The venue is located close to Kumamoto Castle, offering a great opportunity to see Kumamoto today as it has recovered from the Kumamoto Earthquakes. If time permits, we also encourage you to visit nearby tourist destinations such as Aso, Hitoyoshi, and Amakusa. We are working together, hand in hand, to prepare for this meeting so that it may be a fruitful place of learning and networking for all members. We sincerely look forward to your participation.

Hiro Kiyosue, MD, PhD

President of JSIR 2026

Professor, Department of Diagnostic Imaging & Analysis,
Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University

It is my great pleasure to announce that the 55th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology (JSIR2026) will be held in Kumamoto over three days, from Thursday, May 21 to Saturday, May 23, 2026. I am deeply honored to co-host this meeting alongside Dr. Toshinori Hirai.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our predecessors, both this society and the field of interventional radiology have continued to develop and grow.

To further develop, various factors are crucial, including increasing the number of specialists and enhancing their education, developing new techniques and devices, promoting multidisciplinary collaboration, and expanding public relations. Personally, however, I believe that ensuring the quality of the physician is the most critical priority—both for our patients and for the future advancement of the field. I believe it is essential to cultivate a mindset of taking pride as an expert and committing to doing the absolute best work as possible. Therefore, we have chosen "To be proud as a professional" as the theme for this annual meeting. With an underlying appreciation for "treatment by IVR professionals," we aim to facilitate vibrant discussions on the actual IVR techniques, strategies, and knowledge. Furthermore, we hope to make this a forum to discuss initiatives for cultivating future professionals.

We are making every effort in our preparations to ensure that all members find their participation highly rewarding.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to Kumamoto.