#Japan #Osaka #organ transplant #Life Connection

26th National Conference for Organ Transplant Promotion

In October, recognized as the month of promoting organ transplantation awareness, the Japan Organ Transplant Network (JOT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Osaka Prefectural Government, will host the 26th National Conference for Organ Transplant Promotion in Osaka City. The event aims to enhance understanding of organ donation, encouraging individuals to express their wishes regarding organ donation and fostering a society that respects these decisions.

This year’s theme is “The Baton of Life: Connecting Thoughts - Making Organ Transplantation a Norm”, inspiring attendees to reflect on the subject of life and connection. Prominent guests include filmmaker Naomi Kawase, whose latest work “Indeed, There Was a Phantom” is set to release in February 2026. A talk session featuring families of organ donors and heart transplant recipients will offer various perspectives as they share their experiences and engage in deep discussions about life and organ transplantation.

Another feature of the event is the panel exhibition titled “Both Are Correct Exhibition”, which will serve as a platform for individuals to confront their feelings regarding organ donation, encouraging them to consider the implications of their choices. Additionally, a live web broadcast will make the conference accessible to a wider audience, promoting societal understanding of transplant medicine.

Event Details

• - Title: 26th National Conference for Organ Transplant Promotion
• - Date: October 26, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM (Doors open at 12:30 PM)
• - Venue: Osaka City Central Public Hall, 1-1-27 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0005, Japan
• - Organizers: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Osaka Prefectural Government, Japan Organ Transplant Network, Japan Kidney Foundation

Conference Program

• - 1:30 PM: Opening and a moment of silence
• - 1:40 PM: Performance by Suisei High School's Wind Ensemble
• - 1:55 PM: Presentations by Noriyoshi Fukuhira, Yasuhisa Ueno, Ryoma Aoyama, and Naomi Kawase on “What is Organ Transplantation? - Making it Personal”.
• - (Simultaneous Medical Training for Healthcare Professionals)
• - 2:55 PM: Award ceremony for the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare
• - 3:20 PM: Dance performance by Shijonawate Gakuen High School
• - 3:30 PM: Talk session featuring Naomi Kawase, Hiraku Miura, and Masashi Konishi - “Donor Families and Heart Recipients: Our Thoughts”
• - 4:10 PM: Future Directions Discussion
• - 4:25 PM: Closing

Featured Speakers

• - Naomi Kawase: A celebrated filmmaker known for her pursuit of realism, she has received acclaim for her documentaries and fiction alike. She is actively involved in nurturing future talent through the Nara International Film Festival, which she founded in 2010.
• - Noriyoshi Fukuhira: President of Senri Kinran College, Fukuhira is a renowned cardiac transplant physician involved in numerous promotional activities and educational efforts.
• - Yasuhisa Ueno: Chief of the Transplantation Department at Osaka University, Ueno specializes in pediatric liver and adult/pediatric small intestine transplants.
• - Ryoma Aoyama: Head of Trio Japan, Aoyama's personal experience with organ donation drives his commitment to raising awareness for routine organ transplantation in Japan.
• - Hiraku Miura: A city council member in Okayama who made the decision to donate his daughter’s organs after her brain death.
• - Masashi Konishi: A heart transplant recipient who emphasizes the importance of organ donation through his inspiring story of parenthood following his transplant.

The “Both Are Correct Exhibition”

This exhibition invites visitors to engage with their feelings surrounding organ donation, recognizing that choices made throughout life, whether about organ donation or otherwise, are deeply personal and valid. It encourages personal reflection and meaningful family conversations about organ donation through the Organ Donation Intent Card.

Green Ribbon Campaign

The Green Ribbon symbolizes global transplantation efforts. It represents the connection between organ donors and recipients, promoting a society where organ donation is normalized. The Green Ribbon Campaign also encourages individuals to discuss organ donation—especially on Green Ribbon Day observed on October 16, which marks the enactment of the organ transplantation law in Japan in 1997.

How to Express Your Intention

Expressing your intention regarding organ donation is vital. You can do so through:
1. My Number Card
2. Driver's License
3. Intent Card
4. Internet registration

For more details, visit the official website on registration methods here.

The Japan Organ Transplant Network is dedicated to bridging the gap between individuals wishing to donate their organs posthumously and those in need of transplants.