Greeting

I am pleased to announce that we will hold the 87th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Hematology at Kobe Convention Center for the three days from October 10–12, 2025. We are putting our fullest efforts into preparations to make this a fruitful meeting for all.
　Following its emergence in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted our Society's ability to convene the annual meeting. In particular, hematologists who treat diseases involving immunodeficiency were challenged to exercise extreme caution regarding their participation. The 85th annual meeting, held in 2023 with the leadership of Dr. Takanori Teshima and under the theme of "Reunion," was our first full-fledged in-person gathering since the outbreak of the pandemic, marking the resumption of direct on-site interactions among many participants. Last year's 86th annual meeting, led by Dr. Akifumi Takaori-Kondo, was also a wonderful gathering designed toward the goal of "Deepening Connections."
　The main theme of this year's 87th annual meeting is "Continuity and Connectivity," reflecting our hope that it will be an opportunity to expand and evolve previous exchanges, provide new encounters, and link all these interactions in ways that will further grow hematology.
　Under normal circumstances, we would host the meeting in our hometown of Nagoya, but we were unable to secure a suitable local venue due to concerns over the impact of COVID-19 and other issues. Instead, we have chosen to convene the meeting in Kobe. Coincidentally, Kobe is the birthplace of Dr. Seizo Katsunuma, who presided over our Society's inaugural annual meeting and was the first professor of our laboratory, so I think this is a sort of stroke of fortune.
　Just as how blood plays a vital function by flowing throughout the body and connecting life processes, we hope that the 87th annual meeting will be an opportunity for all of you to join together in Kobe to learn, make new acquaintances, and interact in ways that will advance hematology and bring happiness to hematologic patients and their families. We also hope that you will enjoy savoring Kobe's unique selections of food and sweets.
　We look forward to having as many of you as possible join us.