News & Activities

Our department website has been renewed

On September 28, 2026, we launched the renewed website of the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine. Information on our clinical services and specialty clinics, referrals from medical institutions, research, residency training, and news has been reorganized, and the site is now easier to read on smartphones. This English version has been launched at the same time. We will continue to share news about our clinical, research, and educational activities.

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Dr. Tatsuya Furukawa's presentation selected as a Notable Abstract at IFOS 2026 in Istanbul

At the XXIII World Congress of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (IFOS 2026), held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on September 9–13, 2026, Associate Professor Tatsuya Furukawa's presentation "Novel Glottic Closure Surgery for Severe Dysphagia: A Retrospective Review of 110 Consecutive Cases" was selected as a Notable Abstract and presented on September 11. Notable Abstracts are chosen by the Scientific Committee from among the submitted free papers for presentation in the main halls of the Congress. Professor Takeshi Fujita and Associate Professor Natsumi Uehara also gave presentations at the congress. IFOS, the International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies, brings together national otolaryngology–head and neck surgery societies from around the world.

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Dr. Yuto Horichi's project selected for MEXT's AI for Science program (SPReAD)

Assistant Professor Yuto Horichi's project, "Advancing AI analysis of endoscopic sinus surgery video through image enhancement," was selected in the second call of the FY2026 AI for Science Program for Research Innovation, "Seed Program for Research Exploration with AI for Science (SPReAD)," announced on August 18, 2026. SPReAD is a program of Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) that supports exploratory research applying AI to accelerate and advance scientific research across all fields.

About SPReAD (MEXT, in Japanese) →

Dr. Sumire Oka receives the Hajimete no Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Society Award

On July 2, 2026, at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Sumire Oka received the society's "Hajimete no" (First-Presentation) Award for her presentation "Sensorineural hearing loss in children with Alport syndrome at our department," reporting on the hearing evaluation of children with Alport syndrome cared for jointly with the Department of Pediatrics.

Takeshi Fujita appointed Professor and Chair

On April 1, 2026, Takeshi Fujita was appointed Professor and Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine. He is the sixth chair since the department was founded in 1944.

Message from the Chair →

Professor Ken-ichi Nibu retires

Professor Ken-ichi Nibu retired on March 31, 2026. Appointed in April 2001, he led the department for 25 years, advancing its clinical work, research, and education with a particular focus on head and neck surgery, and building the foundation on which the department stands today.

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