Yokohama: First in More Ways Than One

3 September 2012, Yokohama: The Port of Yokohama was opened to foreign trade on 2 June 1859 and soon become Japan’s main city for foreign trade. By the turn of the century in 1900, Yokohama had become Japan’s most international city and the nation’s first English language newspaper, the Japan Herald, was first published there in 1861.

In June this year, Doctor Shinya Yamanaka, Director of Center for iPS Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University, assumed the presidency of ISSCR – the International Society for Stem Cell Research - at the association’s annual meeting in Yokohama. This is the first time the annual world congress has taken place in Asia, a proud achievement for Yamanaka, who is the Chair of the Japan Local Host Committee.

Yamanaka, widely recognised in the international stem cell research field, and who recently was the joint winner of the Millennium Technology Award Grand Prize - the world’s largest and most prominent technology award - attributed the success of the congress, among others, to the professional service and support by the city of Yokohama and the Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCVB). 

To commemorate ISSCR’ s first in Asia, and on the occasion of its 10^th anniversary,  the Japanese Host Committee did not spare any efforts to make the Yokohama congress unforgettable - their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan graced the commemoration ceremony.

The ISSCR meeting in Yokohama saw seven plenary sessions, 20 concurrent tracks spread over four separate sessions, more than 25 oral presentations given from researchers based in Japan, and a record 1,400 posters presented. Several networking sessions were organised including the President’s Reception at the iconic Yokohama Museum of Art. 

Mr. Jim Donovan, the Meeting Service Director of ISSCR, commented: “The attendees were extremely impressed with the beauty and charm of Yokohama and truly enjoyed their stay. An exceptionally high number of attendees ranked the location as excellent in our post-meeting evaluation survey.”

Boasting some 3500 delegates, this meeting was another feather in the cap for YCVB which holds an enviable track record for hosting and winning big congresses.

Earlier this year, YCVB led a successful bid for the 2020 International Orthodontic Congress (IOC 2020) and is expecting 6,000 attendees.  This will be the first time the US-based World Federation of Orthodontists – WFO - brings its meeting to Asia.  

Later this year in September, another ‘biggie’-  the 4^th Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies expects some 5,000 delegates to converge in Yokohama.  It will also be a significant event for this world congress which has selected Yokohama for their Asian debut.

Next year, the Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO) will hold its annual congress in Yokohama, the first Japanese city to host this prestigious meeting.

The city currently has booked some 20 international association congresses from now until 2020.

Yokohama, the beautiful port city on the Tokyo Bay, is easily accessible from two international airports, Haneda and Narita. With PACIFICO Yokohama as its flagship, Yokohama has over 18 hotels within walking distance of this venue which can accommodate up to 5,000 in a plenary.

[About Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau]

The Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau is the city’s destination marketing organisation focusing on international meetings and events. It works closely with the local council, industry members and the Japanese association community to bring the world to Yokohama and to showcase Japanese innovation in various fields.  The CVB is a long-time ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association) member. Ms Akiko Hosono will represent the CVB at IMEX America 2012 at the Japan booth (Stand 445).

Media contact for more information/photos:

Ms Kana Nomoto, Yokohama CVB (nomoto@www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp) or  telephone +81 45 221 2111.