[First in Osaka] Medical Experience Program 'Heart Kids Lab 2026 in Osaka' to be held in Umeda on May 24 (Sun). Applications Now Open.
NPO Heart Kids Japan will host the 'Heart Kids Lab 2026 in Osaka' on May 24, 2026. This workshop offers children hands-on experience in heart surgery and exposure to advanced medical devices like ECMO, featuring a lecture by Dr. Norihide Fukushima.
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On Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Senri Kinran University Umeda Campus (Kita-ku, Osaka), the NPO Heart Kids Japan (Location: Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture; Representative Director: Koichi Sugimoto) will hold the children's medical experience workshop 'Heart Kids Lab 2026 in Osaka.'
This classroom is a hands-on program where participants learn about the heart, blood flow, and cardiac surgery by actually working with their hands. 'Heart Kids Lab' has been held nationwide in places like Chiba, Nagoya, and Ehime, receiving high praise from families every time, but this will be its first time in Osaka Prefecture.
In this Osaka event, we will feature a special lecture by Dr. Norihide Fukushima (President of Senri Kinran University), who was involved in the first heart transplant in Japan after the Organ Transplant Act and has led Japanese transplant medicine. Furthermore, for the first time, a special exhibition of Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) and ECMO will be held with the cooperation of Nipro Corporation. This provides an opportunity for the children of the next generation to directly experience advanced medical technology.
Voices from past participants:
'I was able to understand the structure of the heart well. Experiences like the surgery simulation are things we can't usually do, so it was a great experience for my child.'
'I thought it was amazing to see the heart in 3D, which I could only see in 2D in school classes.'
'I was surprised to learn that one in 100 people has heart disease. It was very educational for both parents and children.'
Background and Social Significance of the Event:
Congenital heart disease is a condition that approximately 1 in 100 people are born with, yet social understanding of pediatric heart disease, transplant medicine, and advanced medical equipment is still insufficient. This event provides social value beyond simple career education:
- [Career Education for the Next Generation]: Fostering interest and intellectual curiosity in medicine by being exposed to the words of world-class surgeons.
- [Visualization of Advanced Medicine]: Increasing understanding and a sense of security towards advanced medicine by exhibiting VAD/ECMO (manufactured by Nipro, etc.), which are packed with Japanese technology.
- [Realization of an Inclusive Society]: Spreading understanding for children with heart disease and creating a foundation for a society that accepts diversity.
Event Overview:
Name: Heart Kids Lab 2026 in Osaka
Date/Time: Sunday, May 24, 2026
Morning Session: 10:00-12:00 (Target: 2nd-4th grade elementary students)
Afternoon Session: 14:00-16:00 (Target: 5th-6th grade elementary, junior high, and high school students)
Venue: Senri Kinran University Umeda Campus (Inside Kinrankai High School)
3-3-7 Oyodominami, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 531-0075
Target: 2nd grade elementary to 3rd grade high school students and their parents
Capacity: 16 pairs (32 people) per session (Lottery if there are many applicants)
Participation Fee: Free
Application Period: Until 23:59, Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Organizer: NPO Heart Kids Japan
Program Content:
- Suture simulated hearts and blood vessels like a cardiac surgeon
- Learn about heart functions and blood flow
- Learn about Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) and ECMO
Applications are accepted via the dedicated form: https://www.heartkidsjapan.com/heartkidslab2026osaka
Special Projects Unique to the Osaka Event:
1. Special Lecture by Dr. Norihide Fukushima, who paved the way for Japanese transplant medicine.
Dr. Norihide Fukushima, President of Senri Kinran University, who has been active on the front lines of pediatric heart transplants and artificial heart treatment, will take the stage. He will speak about 'Artificial Hearts, ECMO, and Heart Transplants' in a way that matches the age of the students.
2. Special Exhibition of VAD and ECMO with Nipro Corporation.
Advanced medical equipment usually seen only by medical professionals will be specially displayed. Participants can observe devices that support the body in place of the heart, including VAD and portable ECMO driving units and circuits, up close.
*Exhibition equipment may change depending on the situation on the day.
This classroom is a hands-on program where participants learn about the heart, blood flow, and cardiac surgery by actually working with their hands. 'Heart Kids Lab' has been held nationwide in places like Chiba, Nagoya, and Ehime, receiving high praise from families every time, but this will be its first time in Osaka Prefecture.
In this Osaka event, we will feature a special lecture by Dr. Norihide Fukushima (President of Senri Kinran University), who was involved in the first heart transplant in Japan after the Organ Transplant Act and has led Japanese transplant medicine. Furthermore, for the first time, a special exhibition of Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) and ECMO will be held with the cooperation of Nipro Corporation. This provides an opportunity for the children of the next generation to directly experience advanced medical technology.
Voices from past participants:
'I was able to understand the structure of the heart well. Experiences like the surgery simulation are things we can't usually do, so it was a great experience for my child.'
'I thought it was amazing to see the heart in 3D, which I could only see in 2D in school classes.'
'I was surprised to learn that one in 100 people has heart disease. It was very educational for both parents and children.'
Background and Social Significance of the Event:
Congenital heart disease is a condition that approximately 1 in 100 people are born with, yet social understanding of pediatric heart disease, transplant medicine, and advanced medical equipment is still insufficient. This event provides social value beyond simple career education:
- [Career Education for the Next Generation]: Fostering interest and intellectual curiosity in medicine by being exposed to the words of world-class surgeons.
- [Visualization of Advanced Medicine]: Increasing understanding and a sense of security towards advanced medicine by exhibiting VAD/ECMO (manufactured by Nipro, etc.), which are packed with Japanese technology.
- [Realization of an Inclusive Society]: Spreading understanding for children with heart disease and creating a foundation for a society that accepts diversity.
Event Overview:
Name: Heart Kids Lab 2026 in Osaka
Date/Time: Sunday, May 24, 2026
Morning Session: 10:00-12:00 (Target: 2nd-4th grade elementary students)
Afternoon Session: 14:00-16:00 (Target: 5th-6th grade elementary, junior high, and high school students)
Venue: Senri Kinran University Umeda Campus (Inside Kinrankai High School)
3-3-7 Oyodominami, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 531-0075
Target: 2nd grade elementary to 3rd grade high school students and their parents
Capacity: 16 pairs (32 people) per session (Lottery if there are many applicants)
Participation Fee: Free
Application Period: Until 23:59, Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Organizer: NPO Heart Kids Japan
Program Content:
- Suture simulated hearts and blood vessels like a cardiac surgeon
- Learn about heart functions and blood flow
- Learn about Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) and ECMO
Applications are accepted via the dedicated form: https://www.heartkidsjapan.com/heartkidslab2026osaka
Special Projects Unique to the Osaka Event:
1. Special Lecture by Dr. Norihide Fukushima, who paved the way for Japanese transplant medicine.
Dr. Norihide Fukushima, President of Senri Kinran University, who has been active on the front lines of pediatric heart transplants and artificial heart treatment, will take the stage. He will speak about 'Artificial Hearts, ECMO, and Heart Transplants' in a way that matches the age of the students.
2. Special Exhibition of VAD and ECMO with Nipro Corporation.
Advanced medical equipment usually seen only by medical professionals will be specially displayed. Participants can observe devices that support the body in place of the heart, including VAD and portable ECMO driving units and circuits, up close.
*Exhibition equipment may change depending on the situation on the day.