World-Renowned Brain Science Conference OHBM2028 to be Held in Yokohama

The venue for the "International Conference on Human Brain Mapping 2028 Annual Meeting (OHBM2028)" to be held from Sunday, June 18 to Thursday, June 22, 2028, has been decided as Yokohama. OHBM (Organization for Human Brain Mapping) is a world-leading academic society in the fields of brain imaging measurement/analysis, brain science, and brain disease research. Its annual meeting gathers researchers, medical professionals, and industry representatives from around the world. This will be the second time the conference is held in Japan, and the first in 26 years since the 2002 Sendai conference. OHBM2028 will be organized in collaboration with OHBM and the Japanese Society for Human Brain Mapping (JHBM, chaired by Yoshikazu Ugawa and Tetsuya Matsuda).

The Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCVB) and Yokohama International Peace Conference Hall (Pacifico Yokohama), in collaboration with the City of Yokohama and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), supported the bid to host OHBM2028. The successful bid was attributed to Yokohama's excellent accessibility, its track record as a city of science, technology, and research, the convenience of having commercial and accommodation facilities concentrated around the venue, its commitment to sustainability, and the city's overall appeal.

Comment from Hiromasa Takemura, Chair of the JHBM OHBM Bid Committee (Professor, National Institute for Physiological Sciences):

"JHBM has been working for many years to bring the OHBM annual meeting to Japan. We are truly delighted that Yokohama has been selected as the host city for OHBM2028. Since its opening as a port, Yokohama has continued to develop as a hub for cultural exchange and innovation. With its excellent access, abundant conference and accommodation facilities, and strong local support system, Yokohama is an ideal venue for OHBM2028, an interdisciplinary international conference where researchers from diverse fields gather to foster new scientific advancements."

Conference Overview:

• Name: International Conference on Human Brain Mapping 2028 Annual Meeting (Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping 2028)
• Dates: Sunday, June 18, 2028 – Thursday, June 22, 2028
• Venue: Pacifico Yokohama
• Expected Participants: 3,000 on-site (including 2,500 from overseas)
• Organizer: Organization for Human Brain Mapping
• URL: https://www.humanbrainmapping.org/

Estimated Economic Impact on Yokohama City: Approximately 3.15 billion yen*1

• Past and Future Conferences:
2027: Toronto (Canada)
2026: Bordeaux (France)
2025: Brisbane (Australia)
2024: Seoul (South Korea)
2023: Montreal (Canada)

The hosting of this international conference is strongly expected to bring economic ripple effects to Yokohama City. Furthermore, OHBM2028 is anticipated to promote interaction through the visit of many researchers and stakeholders from around the world and to advance international academic exchange in the field of brain science.

YCVB and Pacifico Yokohama will continue to support the success of OHBM2028. They will further their efforts to attract and support international conferences, contributing to greater economic effects for the region, creating business opportunities, promoting academic exchange, and forging new connections with the local community.

*1 Measured using the "Simplified Measurement Model for Economic Ripple Effects of MICE Events" developed by the Japan Tourism Agency.