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73rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Food Science and Technology |
We are pleased to announce that the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Food Science and Technology will be held over three days from August 26 to 28, 2026, at Tohoku University's Sendai Campus in the City of Trees. The entire organizing committee is deeply honored to host this prestigious conference in the Tohoku region and sincerely looks forward to welcoming all members.
Here in Sendai, the memory of a pioneer who bravely set sail for the unknown world over four hundred years ago remains etched. That man was Hasekura Tsunenaga, who, under the orders of Lord Date Masamune, challenged the vast ocean aboard the wooden ship San Juan Bautista as part of the Keicho Embassy to Europe. He aimed for the distant land of Rome, crossing both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. For the people of that era, this voyage must have involved unimaginable hardships. Yet, within Tsunenaga's heart, there undoubtedly burned an unyielding spirit, a relentless pursuit of knowledge yet to be discovered.
Tsunenaga's magnificent feat embodies the very essence of the academic journey we undertake each day. Scientific inquiry is nothing less than setting sail from the shores of the known, venturing into the uncharted waters of the “unknown sea of learning” where no definitive answers exist. Tohoku University, the host institution for this conference, has developed over its 120-year history based on three foundational principles: “Research First,” “Open Doors,” and “Respect for Practical Learning.”
“Research First” means peering into the depths of truth to create knowledge at the world's highest level. “Open Doors” means seeking knowledge broadly, transcending race, gender, and even the boundaries of academic disciplines. And “Respect for Practical Learning,” which returns acquired knowledge to society for the greater good. These principles deeply resonate with the spirit of Tsunehisa, who once crossed uncharted seas, flexibly embraced foreign cultures, and sought to connect them to his nation's prosperity.
Modern food science faces challenges as turbulent as the rough seas: global food security, achieving healthy longevity, and building a sustainable society. Just as Tsunenaga relied on his compass to navigate uncharted territories, we too wish to forge new paths in food science. Under Tohoku University's tradition of free and open-minded discourse, researchers from diverse backgrounds gather here to engage in discussions unbound by existing frameworks. We especially hope that the young researchers who will lead the next generation will advance fearlessly through these “academic seas,” driven by the same fresh curiosity and spirit of challenge that Tsunehisa once possessed. That very challenge will surely be a decisive step toward enriching the tables of the future.
Beyond academic refinement, Miyagi and Sendai are blessed with abundant mountain and sea delicacies. We hope this conference will provide an opportunity to experience Miyagi's rich food culture, which Tsunenaga surely cherished, and to deepen camaraderie among members. The entire organizing committee sincerely hopes that this reunion in Sendai, the City of Trees, will serve as a “setting sail” point toward a brilliant future for all of you.