Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am Motoki Takamuro, Director of the Hokkaido Medical Center for Child Health and Rehabilitation, and I have the honor of hosting the 37th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Interventional Cardiology for Congenital Heart Disease (JCIC) in January 2027. First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the society’s executive committee members for nominating me as president and to all the members for approving the hosting of this event. This will be the first time the meeting is held in Sapporo in 30 years—the last occasion being the 8th JPIC Research Meeting organized in January 1997 at the Sapporo Medical University Auditorium by my mentor and the society’s advisor, Dr. Hideshi Tomita of Showa Medical University. While I consider it a great honor to take charge of this historic academic meeting, I am also keenly aware of the significant responsibility it entails.

Looking back over the past three decades, we have seen treatment methods become increasingly complex alongside the evolution of devices driven by technological advancements. Consequently, "team medicine"—involving not only pediatric cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, neonatologists, anesthesiologists, and pediatric intensivists, but also radiological technologists, clinical engineers, and physiological function technologists—has become the standard approach regarding indications and procedural execution. While the advantages of catheter-based interventions—such as minimal scarring and reduced physical burden—are often highlighted due to their minimally invasive nature, it goes without saying that safety must never be compromised. I am confident that member institutions are constantly accumulating knowledge and refining their skills in pursuit of safe and effective treatments; nevertheless, unexpected complications can still arise during complex procedures. With the hope and determination to facilitate thorough discussion on these matters, I have chosen the theme "Go-no-Sen: Preparedness and Individual Competence" for this meeting. This may be a term unfamiliar to the general public; in this context, *Go-no-Sen* refers to a concept where one responds to an opponent's move (*gote* or "second move") by seizing the initiative (*sente* or "first move") to gain the advantage. In essence, this term describes the mindset of seizing the initiative—acting as if one had the upper hand—despite starting from a disadvantageous position, thereby turning the situation to one's favor; the skill and mastery required to achieve this truly exemplify the level of a "grand master." It is a martial arts term frequently used by the late former Yokozuna Kitanofuji when praising "Yokozuna-style sumo" (sumo played with commanding authority and dignity) during broadcasts.

This academic meeting serves as a valuable forum for medical professionals involved in interventional treatments for pediatric and adult congenital heart disease to present and discuss new techniques and clinical outcomes. While we will finalize the program in consultation with the society's committee members, we intend to include a session discussing "logistics in the catheterization lab." Given our location in Sapporo, our facility relies heavily on air transport for the delivery of most treatment equipment. Adverse weather often leads to flight cancellations, particularly in winter, and we frequently find ourselves anxiously awaiting the arrival of supplies while in the cath lab. I hope to share experiences with colleagues across the country who have faced similar situations and to hear insights from representatives of manufacturers and distribution companies.

Additionally, as I also serve as an executive committee member for the Japanese Society of Pediatric Electrocardiography, I am keen to actively include presentations on catheter ablation for arrhythmias—a topic that has seen fewer submissions to this society in recent years.

January marks the height of winter in Sapporo, and the construction of snow sculptures for the Sapporo Snow Festival will already be underway. Although the illuminations may not yet be active, the sheer scale and impact of the sculptures should still be impressive. We are preparing to welcome many of you to Sapporo.

As mentioned, flight cancellations and train suspensions due to bad weather are not uncommon; therefore, please ensure you pack adequate cold-weather gear and allow plenty of time in your travel itinerary. We look forward to welcoming many colleagues from across the country. Thank you for your cooperation. We sincerely hope that the information disseminated by this society will contribute to the advancement of catheter-based treatments not only in Japan but throughout the world.