The 62nd Annual Spring Meeting of the Japanese Society of Clinical Cytology will be held as a hybrid between the International Conference Hall of Makuhari Messe and the Web. The event will be held at Makuhari Messe from June 4th, Friday to 6th, Sunday, 2021 and on the web from June 18th to July 11th.

The main theme of the Meeting is “Future of Cytology in Japan.” Diagnostic modalities are changing from the conventional cytological examination of which morphological information is interpreted by an experienced technologist or a physician to diagnostic pathology based on gene expression, through DNA sequencing, towards artificial intelligence, as well as diagnosis utilizing remote viewing tools. I would like this opportunity to discuss what kind of cytological practice we should aim for while making use of these new modalities, as well as how clinical cytology and cytology science should be further developed in the near future, and how we can contribute to the society.

This conference will be held as a hybrid event this year, during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. There is a limit on participant numbers at the Makuhari Messe event, which enables strict prevension of infection. We hope that those of you who choose to attend the Makuhari Messe event will enjoy direct communication at the conference hall. We also hope that Web event participants will enjoy the merits of the online event where questions can be asked more comfortably without the time limit. Acturally notable know-how in holding hybrid conference accumulated during the pandemic year, which would allow trouble-free participation and discussion.

Unfortunately, the social gathering at Tokyo Disneyland is canceled. Nontheless, we would like to ask all of you to be encouraged to participate in this hybrid event. Thank you.