Welcome Message from the Conference Chairperson

Shigemi IRIYAMA

It is my great honor to serve as the chairperson for the 44th Western Regional Conference of the Japan Association for Global Health. I am Prof. Shigemi Iriyama from the Nursing Science division within the Department of Integrated Health Sciences at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine.

This important event will be held on March 21 (Saturday), 2026, at Nagoya University’s Daiko Campus.

The theme of this conference is “Maternal and Child Healthcare for All foreign Residents: Aiming a Safe and Comfortable Pregnancy, Birth, and Childrearing.” In light of the reclassification of COVID-19 as a Category 5 infectious disease, the foreign resident population in Japan has been steadily increasing, reaching a record high of 3.76 million by the end of 2024. Additionally, the number of children born to foreign parents continues to grow, with approximately 17,000 births annually. The Japanese government’s commitment to welcoming more international workers and students suggests that these numbers will continue to rise. As a result, the number of pregnancies and births among foreign mothers and children is also expected to increase, and the need for support for foreign mothers and children is expected to grow even further.

During this regional conference, we will share the latest insights into maternal and child health among foreign residents. Through our educational session and symposium, we aim to foster meaningful discussions and collaborative approaches to support these families effectively. We look forward to engaging with many of you, exchanging ideas, and working together toward ensuring safe and comfortable healthcare for all mothers and children, regardless of their background.

It is our sincere hope that you will join us for this meaningful event.

With best regards,
September 2025

Conference Chairperson
Professor Shigemi Iriyama
Department of Integrated Health Sciences,
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine