Dear Colleagues,

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the 2026 XXXVI Congress of the International Academy of Pathology in Fukuoka, bringing together the most enthusiastic and dedicated scholars in the field of pathology. Our goal is to create a unique platform where the latest advancements, challenges, and debates in diagnostic and molecular pathology are shared and discussed.

This biennial international congress on pathology will be held jointly with the 72nd Autumn Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Pathology, which is held annually in Japan.

As the theme of this year's congress is “Vision for the Future”, we would like to hold a joint session in the sense of a new challenge that is not bound by the conventional format for the continued development of IAP. Key topics in molecular pathology including spatial transcriptome analysis and artificial intelligence will be explored across various subspecialties, reflecting the evolving landscape of our field. We will also provide the programs on basic issues in pathology such as the educational system and infectious diseases, so far.

We are confident that the vibrant city of Fukuoka and its International Convention Center will offer the ideal environment to accomplish these goals. Fukuoka City is a compact and comfortable city, and you can easily visit historical shrines or temples in the downtown area. Coupled with traditional Japanese hospitality and an exciting social program, this Congress promises to be both professionally enriching and personally memorable.

We look forward to welcoming you to Fukuoka and to engaging in an inspiring exchange of ideas to move our academic field forward.