2nd Nordic-Japan Forensic Medicine Understanding Symposium
(NJ-FOCUS)
Language: English
Format: Hybrid (On-Site & Online Participation)
Participation: Free of Charge - Register Below
Hosts, Organizers & Supporting organizations
Embassy of Japan in Denmark
About
The 2nd Nordic-Japan Forensic Medicine Understanding Symposium aims to strengthen academic exchange and foster collaboration between Japan and the Nordic countries in forensic medicine, cardiovascular medicine, and related fields.
Building on the first symposium, this meeting brings together researchers and practitioners from Japan, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland to share knowledge, compare approaches, and discuss common challenges in death investigation. The programme covers a broad range of topics, including sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease prevention, forensic investigation systems and autopsy rates, forensic pathology and genetics, toxicology, and forensic radiology and imaging.
A central objective is to explore how differences in healthcare systems, forensic investigation practices, research methodologies, and available resources can inform improvements in death investigation and the prevention of avoidable deaths. Through presentations and interdisciplinary discussions, the symposium seeks to promote mutual understanding, identify opportunities for international collaboration, and build lasting connections between Japanese and Nordic researchers.
Ultimately, we hope this initiative will contribute to the advancement of forensic medicine and more effective approaches to death investigation and public health in both regions.
Registration:
Practical info regarding registration:
Due to limited seating (50 seats), there will be an upper limit on the number of on-site attendees (registrations will be handled on a "first come, first served" basis).
There is no limit to the number of online attendees. The Symposium will be live-streamed on Zoom.
General Information:
Date:
December 4th (Fri), 2026
Time:
9:20-15:45 (Denmark)
17:20-23:45 (Japan)
Doors open at 9:00
Venue:
Tokai University European Center
Vedbæk Strandvej 476, 2950 Vedbæk
Online: Zoom
Hosts:
Tokai University European Center
Tokai University
University of Copenhagen
Rigshospitalet
Akita University
Registration:
Program
(Times in parentheses and cursive are JST)
Opening Remarks 9:20 - 9:30 (17:20 - 17:30)
Professor Seiko Oyama (Executive Director of Tokai University European Center)
Mikio Mori (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Denmark)
Session 1: “Introduction to Forensic Cardiology” 9:30 – 10:30 (17:30 - 18:30)
Chair: Bo Gregers Winkel (University of Copenhagen/Rigshospitalet, DK)
Emil Loldrup Fosbøl (University of Copenhagen/Rigshospitalet, DK)
“Introduction to Danish registries”
Jacob Tfelt-Hansen (University of Copenhagen/Rigshospitalet, DK)
“Algorithm for the evaluation of SD victims in ESC Guidelines and SCD epidemiology research”
Coffee 10:30 – 10:40 (18:30 - 18:40)
Session 2: “Forensic investigation system and how to improve autopsy rate”
10:40 - 11:40 (18:40 - 19:40)
Chair: Henrik Druid (Karolinska Institute, SE)
Kristine Boisen Olsen (University of Copenhagen, DK)
“Forensic investigation system in Nordic countries”
Toshikazu Kondo (Wakayama Medical University, JP)
“Forensic investigation system in Japan”
Short presentations 11:40 – 12:30 (19:40 - 20:30)
Chair: Jacob Tfelt-Hansen (University of Copenhagen/Rigshospitalet, DK)
Pernille Heimdal Holm (University of Copenhagen/Rigshospitalet, DK)
“Quantitative Histological Insights Into SADS”
Hitomi Kera (Showa Medical University, JP)
“TBA”
Shotaro Isozaki (University of Copenhagen/Rigshospitalet/Tokai University, DK/JP)
“Smoking and SCD in the Copenhagen City Heart Study”
Lunch 12:30 – 13:20 (20:30 - 21:20)
Grant Announcement from JSPS Stockholm office 13:20 – 13:30 (21:20 - 21:30)
Session 3: “Forensic Pathology and Genetics” 13:30 – 14:10 (21:30 - 22:10)
Chair: Kie Horioka (University of Oulu / Akita University, FI/JP)
Lasse Pakanen (University of Oulu, FI)
“Primary myocardial fibrosis as cause of sudden cardiac death”
Yoichiro Takahashi (University of Tsukuba, JP)
“Genetic Investigation of Sudden Cardiac Death in Forensic Autopsy: Insights from Our Cases”
Session 4: “Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry” 14:10 – 14:50 (22:10 - 22:50)
Chair: Brian Schou Rasmussen (University of Copenhagen, DK)
Henrik Druid (Karolinska Institute, SE)
“TBA“
Masatoshi Ito (St. Marianna University, JP)
“Forensic Toxicology and Mass Spectrometry: How Mass Spectrometry Empowers Cause-of-Death Investigations ”
Coffee 14:50 – 15:00 (22:50 - 23:00)
Session 5: “Forensic Radiology and Imaging” 15:00 – 15:40 (23:00 - 23:40)
Chair: Yoichiro Takahashi (University of Tsukuba, JP)
Chiara Villa (University of Copenhagen, DK)
“Forensic Radiology and Imaging in Nordic countries”
Yohsuke Makino (University of Tokyo, JP)
“Forensic Radiology and Imaging in Japan”
Closing remarks 15:40 – 15:45 (23:40 - 23:45)
Jacob Tfelt-Hansen (University of Copenhagen/Rigshospitalet, DK)
University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
Wakayama Medical University
University of Copenhagen
Showa Medical University
Rigshospitalet
University of Oulu
University of Tsukuba
Karolinska Institute
St. Marianna University
Chiara Villa
University of Copenhagen
University of Tokyo
For More Information About the Speakers Click Here:
Registration for On-Site Attendance:
Registration for Online Attendance:
Contact information:
Tokai University European Center - Vedbæk Strandvej 476, 2950 Vedbæk - tuec@u-tokai.dk - 45 89 08 09