President: Mosaburo Kainuma
76th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine

I am Mosaburo Kainuma from the Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Toyama, and I have been appointed as the President for the 76th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine. Previous presidents have been highly distinguished scholars with profound knowledge of Oriental medicine, far surpassing my own. Considering this, I have reflected on what is expected of me in this role. My conclusion led to this year's theme: "The Development of Oriental Medicine: New Challenges for the Next Generation." I understand that some may find the phrase "new challenges" somewhat abstract.

Oriental medicine currently faces numerous pressing issues, including human resource development, education and research, stable supply of crude drugs, and challenges related to health insurance coverage. While these issues have been frequently discussed and various initiatives undertaken, a complete resolution has yet to be achieved.
Therefore, this congress aims to be a vibrant platform for generating innovative ideas to overcome the various challenges surrounding Oriental medicine from fresh perspectives.

To encourage as many of you as possible to visit Toyama, we have also planned several special events. These include a special Rakugo by Master Shinosuke Tatekawa, a native of Toyama Prefecture, a "Meet the Expert" session where young practitioners can informally ask questions to distinguished figures in the Kampo field whom they might not usually have the chance to meet, and guided tours of Experimental Station for Medicinal Plant Research and Museum of Materia Medica, University of Toyama.

On January 7, 2025, the American newspaper "The New York Times" announced "52 Places to Go in 2025," and Toyama was proudly selected. Toyama is truly a vibrant and exciting place right now! We sincerely hope that many of you will visit Toyama, enjoy its local delicacies, and, after the congress, unite with a shared vision to collectively address the challenges ahead. We look forward to your participation and support.