#Japan #Digital Transformation #healthcare #Osaka #SS Users Conference

Overview of the 22nd SS Users Conference

In a notable gathering on August 22, 2026, at the Knowledge Capital Congrès Convention Center in Osaka, the SS Users Conference celebrated its 22nd iteration. Organized by Software Service Co., Ltd, which supplies electronic medical record (EMR) systems to over 1,000 hospitals across Japan, the event saw a record number of 1,080 participants, reflecting a growing interest in the integration of IT in hospital operations.

Keynote Addresses

The conference kicked off with representative speeches from Masahiro Jinno, Director of Keiju General Hospital and Chairman of the Japan Hospital Association, along with Mitsu Kawatani, Vice President of Kawatani General Hospital. They emphasized the theme of the year: “Transforming Operations and Boosting Efficiency through Electronic Medical Records.” The speakers highlighted the critical role of digital transformation (DX) in modern hospital management amid increasingly challenging operational conditions.

Following the opening remarks, 11 hospitals shared their pioneering approaches and experiences, offering insights into how they are navigating the landscape of medical DX, including applications of generative AI, mobile usage, and data utilization.

The fact that attendance levels exceeded those of the previous year by a significant margin (over 150%) signifies a noteworthy trend: the urgent need for hospitals to reform their operations and address workforce shortages by leveraging technology such as electronic medical records.

Special Lectures

The conference featured two special presentations:
1. Akira Ima, Director of Hachinohe City Citizens' Hospital: He discussed the journey of turning a cumulative deficit of 13.5 billion yen into a profitable venture by leveraging brand strength and organizational revitalization.
2. Kensuke Fujii, Vice President of Kasaoka First Hospital: His talk emphasized adaptability and tuning for stable regional healthcare.

Both sessions shed light on the importance of facing organizational and community healthcare challenges with strong conviction and a clear vision, navigating through the existing difficult economic conditions. Attendees found inspiration, courage, and hope for the future development of healthcare management and local medical services.

Board Chairperson and Hospital Leaders Meeting

On the preceding day, the 11th Chairmen and Presidents' Meeting took place, hosting 145 hospital executives. In this session, Masahiro Jinno delivered a talk titled “Together Towards the Future: Reflection on the Sustainability of Medical Institutions by 2040.” The meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for top executives to exchange viewpoints on pressing challenges they face and projections for the future in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

This exclusive meeting continues to attract significant interest as it offers a rare platform for executives from across Japan to engage in candid information exchanges.

Special Interest Groups and Active Discussions

The morning of the conference featured specialized subcommittees: the 20th Nursing Committee, the 17th System Administrators’ Committee, and the 2nd Pharmacy Committee. These sessions saw higher attendance than in the previous year and focused on advancing the effective use of electronic medical records, operational improvements, and vital discussions about the increasing importance of information security measures.

• - Nursing Committee: 439 participants
• - Pharmacy Committee: 227 participants
• - System Administrators’ Committee: 490 participants

The conference buzzed with intense debates amid the sweltering summer heat in Osaka, setting the stage for continued advancement in these fields.

Looking Ahead

The SS Users Conference, held annually in Osaka during the sweltering month of August, has progressively gained traction in both the scale of participation and the quality of information shared since its inception. The planning and execution of the event have always been led by user hospitals, with Software Service providing support as the administrative office.

For Software Service, this conference also serves as an invaluable opportunity to gain direct insights into what is currently required by healthcare institutions and expectations regarding their products and services.

Reflecting on the conference's purpose, Masahiro Jinno stated, “The strength of over 1,000 hospitals using the same software lies in our ability to share each hospital's initiatives. It is, in essence, a ‘showcase for horizontal development.’” This encapsulates the essence of the SS Users Conference and explains why it has thrived over the years.

As the conference concluded, Yoshikiyo Ishikawa, Chairman of HITO Hospital and next year’s event host, sent a robust message: “Let us gather again here in Osaka next year to learn from one another and jointly create the future of healthcare.”

Company Profile

• - Founded: April 1969
• - Capital: 847 million yen
• - CEO: Akihiro Otani
• - Employees: Approximately 1,900 (as of April 2026)
• - Headquarters: 2-6-1 Nishinomiya-hara, Yodogawa Ward, Osaka, 532-0004, Japan
• - Business Focus: Development, sales, implementation, and maintenance of medical information systems, notably e-カルテ® (electronic medical record system) and NEWTONS (order entry system).
• - Website: Software Service Co., Ltd.