The REVES 2026 international conference was held at Sophia University from March 11 to 13, 2026. The conference was co-hosted by the Institute of Comparative Culture at Sophia University and supported by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau.

REVES (Réseau Espérance de Vie en Santé: Health Expectancy Network) is an international academic society that holds academic conferences annually around the world. These conferences focus on research on health expectancy. This event was made possible by the FY2024 Sophia University Special Research Promotion Fund, Free-Topic Research (Principal Researcher: Yuka Minagawa, Associate Professor, Department of Liberal Arts, Faculty of Liberal Arts).

Approximately 90 experts in demography, public health, and epidemiology from 17 countries participated in the conference, leading to lively academic exchanges.

The program included keynote lectures, oral presentation sessions, and poster presentations. During these sessions, a wide range of insights that contributed to the theoretical and empirical advancement of research on health expectancy were shared.

On the afternoon of the first day, the George Myers Memorial Lecture was held. This lecture series is a core program of REVES. It is named after George Myers, who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of gerontological demography. He was also one of the founding members of REVES. Distinguished researchers who have made significant contributions to the fields of health and aging deliver this lecture series. Professor Katsunori Kondo of the Chiba University Center for Preventive Medical Sciences was the speaker for this event. The title of his lecture was “Social Participation as a Determinant of Health Expectancy.” He shared the latest findings on the relationship between social factors and health.

The oral presentation session featured a diverse lineup of topics at the forefront of health span research. These topics included the relationship between social participation and vulnerability, and health as well as analyses of health disparities across countries and regions. A lively exchange of ideas unfolded from theoretical, empirical, and methodological viewpoints.

The poster session showcased a wide range of research findings on health disparities, disease patterns, and demographic trends, fostering interaction among participants.

On the final day, Ito En, Ltd. hosted a tea ceremony experience event at Kioitei on campus. Over 50 people attended, and each participant had the opportunity to prepare matcha using a tea whisk and bowl. The venue soon filled with the soothing scent of matcha, crafting a tranquil ambiance where guests could immerse themselves in Japanese culture. For the participants, it was a valuable opportunity to experience traditional culture firsthand.

Looking ahead, our university will continue to serve as a hub for international academic exchange, promoting continuous dialogue and collaboration on health and social issues.