Welcome to APHS 2026 in Osaka
In 2026, APHS will be held in Japan for the first time in ten years, with Osaka City as the host. The previous APHS in Japan took place in Tokyo in 2016. Over the past decade, there have been notable advancements in hernia care, including the increased use of laparoscopic surgery and the introduction of robot-assisted surgery. Additionally, new anatomical findings and concepts in surgical procedures have been reported.
APHS 2026 will review the progress made over this period and provide a forum for discussions on the future of hernia care.
APHS Hernia Essentials and JHS Annual Congress will be held at the same time.
Osaka is the second-largest economic center in Japan, situated in the western region near Kyoto, with a population of approximately 2.7 million. Historically, Osaka has flourished as a merchants’ city and is widely recognized as the culinary capital of the nation.
The city is renowned for its extensive urban canals and bridges, earning it the nickname “City of Water.” The Grand Cube Osaka, the selected venue, is conveniently located in Nakanoshima, a waterfront area at the heart of the city surrounded by numerous art museums and cultural institutions.
Osaka functions as a key transportation hub within Japan. It offers excellent connectivity: trains travel from Osaka to Kyoto in about 30 minutes, and the Shinkansen (bullet train) connects Osaka to Tokyo in approximately two hours and thirty minutes. Kansai International Airport (KIX) serves as the gateway to Osaka, with a comfortable express train providing access to the city center in roughly one hour.
Osaka possesses a distinctive culture shaped by its history as a center of commerce. Residents take pride in their heritage and exhibit characteristics reflective of the city’s unique cultural development.
Owing to its accessibility and hospitality, Osaka has welcomed many international guests in recent years. We are confident that Osaka is an ideal location to host APHS members.
EHS is scheduled to take place in Porto, Portugal in 2026. The introduction of Portuguese firearms to Japan in 1543 initiated various influences from Portugal on Japan. With reference to the historical meeting of the Portuguese and Japanese over 500 years ago, collaboration between EHS in Porto and APHS in Osaka is being considered. Planning for this potential interaction is currently in progress.
November is in the season of autumn leaves and considered an optimal time for travel to Japan and Osaka as well as spring when cherry blossoms bloom.
See you in Osaka in November 2026.
APHS 2026 in Osaka
Takehiro Hachisuka, MD: President
Takeyuki Misawa, MD: Chief Organizing chairperson
Nozomi Ueno, MD: Local Organizing chairperson