COMET 2026 was held for three days from Wednesday August 5^th to Friday 7^th at Yokohama City University Kanazawa-Hakkei Campus. Researchers from a wide array of fields, such as medicine, linguistics, sociology, and ethics gathered in Yokohama for lively discussion and exchange of ideas. We sat down with the congress chair, Professor Tsuchiya, to hear her about her experience holding the event.

The First COMET Conference Held in Japan

With COMET predominately held in Europe, the 24^th edition marks the first time the conference was held in Japan, and the second time in Asia Pacific, having previously been held in Hong Kong. The Japan edition welcomed not only delegates from Europe and the Americas, but also saw an increase in delegates from Asia Pacific. Professor Tsuchiya remarked “We’re proud that by hosting this interdisciplinary conference and bringing together researchers from diverse fields, we can contribute not only to the advancement of medical communication in the West, but also in Asia.”

Yokohama’s accessible location also made it convenient for the conference’s diverse delegates. Professor Tsuchiya praised the city’s access “You can get to the city from the airport in just 30 minutes, and it’s easy to visit other cities from Yokohama.” The conference was held in the peaceful Kanazawa area, known for its beautiful ocean and mountain scenery and home to historical spots like Seto Shrine and Mt. Gongen. Professor Tsuchiya said this unique location was also a huge draw for participants from overseas.

COMET Showcases a Sustainable Conference

COMET 2026 featured a wide range of sustainability initiatives. This was largely in part to Professor Tsuchiya, who personal took up the challenge and commitment to sustainability. Championed under the slogan “Go Green. Sustainable Conventions,” sustainability became one of the defining features of the conference.

“Even if it takes a little extra effort, choosing suppliers with environmental initiatives in place helps give us a sense that we are doing something good for the planet. By working together with those around us, I hope that we will continue holding more environmentally friendly conferences in the future. With the right push and the willingness to take some time to think, it’s possible to take that first step,” Professor Tsuchiya remarks.

One such push was YCVB’s Sustainable Yokohama Convention Support Subsidy, a limited subsidy offered to organizers who meet certain requirements for implementing sustainable measures at their conferences. YCVB also supported the organizers by connecting them with local sustainable suppliers.

Our organization remains committed to supporting more sustainable conferences. For more information about holding a sustainable conference in the city, please visit our sustainability page.