The Japanese Ophthalmological Society, a public interest incorporated foundation, was established in 1897 (Meiji 30) and has a long history. The society currently has over 16,000 members. For the 129th meeting, held in a hybrid format, approximately 10,470 participants registered, of whom about 5,800 attended in person at the Tokyo International Forum. Around 300 participants came from overseas, allowing domestic and international ophthalmology professionals to gather and engage in lively discussions.
Additionally, with the approval of President Takeo Fukuchi M.D., Ph.D. (Professor, Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University), new graduates who joined Congrès Inc. in April had the opportunity to experience convention management for the first time as part of on-site training at a medical conference.
Theme of the Meeting: “Science has great beauty”
The theme of this meeting was “Science has great beauty.” This comes from the words of Marie Curie, the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize twice:
“I am among those who think that science has great beauty. A scientist in his laboratory is not only a technician: he is also a child placed before natural phenomena which impress him like a fairy tale.”
President Fukuchi remarked:
“I am one of those who has been captivated by the wonder and beauty of ophthalmology through clinical practice and research. I wanted to convey in this theme the importance of nurturing a fascination with research and the joy of being moved by beauty. I hope this annual meeting provides everyone an opportunity to rediscover the beauty and excellence of clinical and research ophthalmology, and to inspire new insights.”
Diverse Sessions and International Participation
The meeting featured a wide range of sessions, including special lectures, invited lectures, symposia, and The International Crosstalk Symposium by Young Ophthalmologists.
A notable feature of this meeting was its internationalization. With 300 foreign participants, more than usual, the organizers increased the number of sessions conducted in English.
Driving Simulator Installed in the Exhibition Area
In addition to booths from ophthalmic medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies, the exhibition area featured a driving simulator for the first time at a Japanese Ophthalmological Society meeting.
This simulator is used at ophthalmology clinics to assess driving risks for people with visual field impairments. In a five-minute straight-course simulation, high-risk situations caused by visual field loss—such as red lights or pedestrians suddenly appearing—are reproduced. Ophthalmologists and orthoptists record and analyze eye movements to provide advice for safer driving.
This experience was designed so participants could gain firsthand understanding of how visual field impairments affect driving, which could inform future safety guidance.
Showcasing Local Charm from Niigata
In honor of President Fukuchi’s affiliation with Niigata University, local Niigata sweets were featured at the hospitality corner. A Niigata product fair, including famous sake, was also set up near the lecture halls, offering participants a taste of the region’s specialties.
Photo Booths for Both Participants and the General Public
In the underground area of the Tokyo International Forum’s “Glass Building,” where many members of the public pass through, we set up a photo booth featuring the main visual of this Annual Meeting as its backdrop. As a measure to enhance the visual appeal of the event, the booth was open not only to participants but also to the general public, becoming a place to widely promote the presence of the conference. It proved especially popular among international attendees, younger participants, and a broad range of visitors.
There were two types of photo booths, one of which supported chroma key compositing. Photos taken against a green background were combined with the symbolic visuals of the Annual Meeting, creating unique commemorative images.
Bags for Everyday Use
For the “Congress Bags” distributed to participants, we prepared three types: an insulated bag, a bag with a pouch, and an eco-bag, each available in different colors. Designed with a focus on practicality so they could be used even after the conference, all of the bags were very well received.
Creating a Venue that Welcomes Parents and Children
In addition, inspired by an idea from one of our employees who is also a mother of two, the on-site childcare facility was designed with ample space. This was done to ensure a convention environment where parents and children alike could participate with peace of mind.
New Employees Gain First Hands-On Experience in Convention Management
For new graduates who joined in April, this was their first opportunity to participate in convention management. With President Fukuchi’s kind approval, the employees received pre-event briefings from HR and participated in director and staff orientations, learning their roles and gaining on-site know-how.
On the day of the event, they assisted with session management, including announcing remaining presentation time to speakers, handling stage transitions, and counting attendees. By directly participating in operations, they experienced the flow and atmosphere of the event, gaining invaluable experience.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to President Fukuchi and all those involved for their generous support and cooperation.
Comments from the Organizer, Congrès Inc.
At the Japanese Ophthalmological Society, which Congrès has managed for many years, the team worked as one to ensure clients could trust Congrès from proposal to operations.
Thanks to the warm support of President Fukuchi, active exchanges with sponsors during the meeting allowed us to strive for evolving society management together.
What stood out most was the high number of international participants. The atmosphere resembled an international conference, providing a rare opportunity to showcase Japan’s ophthalmology to the world.
This meeting truly embodies Congrès’ philosophy: “Creating spaces where the future is born.” Reconnecting with ophthalmologists nationwide and supporting the society together was a source of great motivation for future initiatives. Ophthalmology really is the best!
Comments from President Takeo Fukuchi at the 129th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Ophthalmological Society
Every year, two major comprehensive conferences are held in the field of ophthalmology: the Japanese Ophthalmological Society (JOS) Annual Meeting in the spring, and the Japanese Society of Clinical Ophthalmology Annual Meeting in the fall. Since these meetings started to be held in the hybrid format, combining on-site and online participation, the number of registered participants has exceeded 10,000, making them truly large-scale academic events.
This year, together with Congrès, we were in charge of organizing JOS2025. We had previously worked with Congrès when we hosted a specialized ophthalmology meeting in Niigata, where they served as the secretariat. Furthermore, having managed the JOS Annual Meeting last year and the year before, from the moment it was decided three years ago that we would host this meeting, we had hoped to work with them again.
Indeed, with over 10,000 participants, the scale of the program and budget was extraordinary. It was undoubtedly thanks to the strong support from everyone involved in the operation that we were able to successfully conclude the event.
What made working with Congrès so comfortable was that their instructions and questions were always appropriate and precise, as well as their responses to our requests were swift. For JOS2025, one of our key policies was to incorporate as many ideas from various stakeholders as possible and to try new things. Drawing on their extensive experience organizing a wide range of events and medical conferences, Congrès offered many valuable suggestions, for which we are truly grateful.
Moreover, the on-site operations on the day of the event was flawless, which again impressed me greatly. Thanks to this, we were able to focus entirely on the medical aspects of the meeting, allowing us to learn and enjoy the event alongside all the participants.
I also heard that for some of the young new employees, this was their first experience working on-site at a medical conference. Nevertheless, each of them contributed to the conference operations with professionalism and care.
Having participated in numerous medical conferences over the years, I am convinced that science and scholarship advance through these kinds of gatherings. Congrès plays a vital role in supporting this process, and it is fair to say they fulfill an important function in society.
Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in this medical conference and to all those who supported us, including the venue staff.
