The 2nd Innovation and Networking in Medical Device International Conference and the 9th Japan-Thailand Bilateral Symposium on Convergent Innovation for Sustainable Health (iMEDEV2026) were held in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 14 to 16, 2026. The event brought together approximately 200 participants from six countries and regions: Thailand, Japan, China, Taiwan, India, and Australia.

Hirosaki University was represented by nine faculty and staff members from the Graduate School of Health Sciences, the Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine (IREM), and the Department of International Education and Collaboration (DIEC), including Vice President, Professor Shinji Tokonami, who also serves as Director of the Radiation Emergency Medicine and Cooperation Promotion Organization and Vice Director of IREM, and Professor Kaori Sugihara, Director of DIEC. Three students from the Graduate School of Health Sciences and the Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, also participated.

With a focus on medical device development and innovation in medical technology, iMEDEV2026 featured keynote lectures, research presentations, and discussions covering a wide range of fields, including higher education policy, biomedical engineering, and radiation science. The event also included poster presentations and exhibition booths showcasing the initiatives of participating institutions. IREM and DIEC jointly hosted a booth introducing Hirosaki University’s education and research. Approximately 70 junior and senior high school students, teachers, and school staff visited the booth and asked questions about the University’s distinctive features and study opportunities.

Participation in iMEDEV2026 provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen connections with researchers across diverse fields and to share the strengths of Hirosaki University’s education and research with local students and educators, laying the groundwork for further international research collaboration and student exchange.

Group photo of the presenters	Group photo of representatives from participating universities in Japan (Hirosaki University and Kinki University)
Scenes from the workshop	Scenes from the exhibition booths