My first experience of presenting my work at an annual meeting was at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Society of Plant Physiologists in Osaka in 1988 when I was a first-year master's student. According to their records, there were about 700 participants to the annual meeting at that time. Since then, I have attended the annual meeting almost every year. I personally feel that annual meetings of the Society of Plant Physiologists are by far the most enjoyable annual meetings in Japan because of the free and lively discussions. I believe that this joy of discussion and interaction is the root of the development of plant science. In holding the 67th Annual Meeting of the Society of Plant Physiologists in Tokyo, I hope to continue this “tradition” and to make the annual meeting enjoyable not only for the participants but also for those who are involved in the management of the meeting.

　

This will be the first time since the 56th Annual Meeting in 2015 that the annual meeting will be held in Tokyo. On that occasion, under the leadership of Annual Meeting Committee Chair Prof. Takuji Sasaki, we were greatly indebted to the people of Tokyo University of Agriculture, and more than 2,000 people attended the meeting at the wonderful venue. This time, with the generous cooperation of the people at Meiji University's Faculty of Agriculture, we are pleased to be able to hold the conference at Meiji University's Surugadai Campus. The Surugadai Campus of Meiji University is a wonderful campus in the heart of the city with perfect access, being located within a several-minute walk from several stations, including Ochanomizu on the JR Chuo line and Jimbocho on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line, the Toei Mita line, and the Toei Shinjuku line. Jimbocho's used bookstore district and Akihabara are also within walking distance. We plan to prepare venues for oral and poster presentations mainly in the Liberty Tower, a 23-story building on the campus. The annual meeting will be held from March 13 to 15, 2026. Although we plan to focus on in-person participation for the Tokyo meeting, we also plan to use a hybrid format, which has been continued since the Annual Meeting in 2023, so that people can also participate online.

　

In addition, Japan-Taiwan Plant Biology 2026 (JTPB2026) will be held on March 16, 2026, the day after the Annual Meeting in Tokyo, at the Yasuda Auditorium of The University of Tokyo, which is within easy reach by bus or subway ride from the Surugadai campus. JTPB2026 will be conducted entirely in English. The annual meeting of the Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists is one of the most advanced conferences in Japan in terms of use of English in presentations and English-language support for participants. In addition to encouraging presentations in English, we wish to make the annual meeting in Tokyo more accessible to English-speaking people by providing various types of information and services. We hope that you will join our annual meeting in addition to JTPB2025. It is obvious that plant science requires a worldwide network and your participation is greatly needed. Mid-March is a wonderful time to visit Tokyo as spring is starting and blossoms are emerging. I am looking forward to seeing you at our annual meeting and JTPB2026.

I am highly encouraged by the cooperation of more than 50 members from not only The University of Tokyo and Meiji University, but also from many other universities in Tokyo and its surroundings. I understand that accommodation in Tokyo is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult to book. The Annual Meeting does not arrange accommodation, so we recommend that you make your reservations as early as possible.