Image: The Doctor. Luke Fildes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Date: March 31, 2026. 9:30 am - 5:30 pm (JST).
Location: Hokkaido University, Graduate School of Science, Room 2-402 + Online (Hybrid)
Registration Fee: Free (Travel Grants available to Early Career Researchers)
On March 31, 2026, we successfully held the Japan Philosophy of Medicine Workshop, welcoming distinguished keynote speakers, Professor Alex Broadbent from Durham University and Professor Masahiro Matsuo from Hokkaido University. Building on the momentum of last year’s event, this workshop attracted over 50 participants from across Japan and abroad, both in person and online. Notably, this exceeded last year’s attendance in Tokyo, demonstrating the rapid expansion of interest in this emerging field around the globe.
In addition to the keynote lectures, three speakers presented their research at the interface of philosophy and medicine. Dr. Tatsuyuki Sato proposed that the differences in the social epistemological structures of clinical and basic medical research could be explained by the nature of knowledge itself. Prof. Anaïs Rameau addressed an important challenge in AI-driven medical research, highlighting potential epistemic misalignment between the acoustic features currently used and those that are genuinely informative in studies employing voice biomarkers. Dr. Sylwia Maria Olejarz explored the ethical dimensions of artificial womb technology, emphasizing both the intrinsic ethical concerns and the new questions such technologies bring to the forefront.
In the keynote lectures, Professor Alex Broadbent presented ideas based on his recent book Power, Knowledge, and COVID-19, discussing how particular scientific fields came to hold authority in policymaking during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how policies such as lockdowns and mask mandates were promoted under what he described as a form of scientific orthodoxy. In the other keynote lecture, Professor Masahiro Matsuo offered a rigorous philosophical analysis of the read-across approach in chemical safety assessment, arguing for its potential justification through the philosophy of analogy. Both lectures sparked vibrant discussions, underscoring the depth and relevance of the topics addressed.
Following the keynote sessions, we held a flash talk session, in which participants were invited to introduce their research in under five minutes. Although the number of researchers specializing specifically in the philosophy of medicine remains limited, many presentations demonstrated that scholars from a wide range of disciplines are engaging with this field. The workshop concluded with a lively networking reception, further strengthening connections among participants and fostering future collaborations. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all participants.
With the generous support of Nakatsuji Foresight Foundation, we were also able to award travel grants to three early-career researchers, helping to broaden participation and support the next generation of scholars in this field.
We are deeply grateful to all speakers, participants, and supporters who contributed to making this workshop a vibrant and inspiring success, and we hope that we can see you again next year.
Tatsuyuki Sato, on behalf of the organizing team
9:30 Opening
9:35-10:20 Dr. Tatsuyuki Sato
"Clinical Medical Science and Basic Medical Science: How they differ, why they differ, and their implications”
10:25-11:10 Prof. Anaïs Rameau
"Epistemic Misalignments in Voice Biomarkers Research"
11:15-12:00 Dr. Sylwia Maria Olejarz
"The Gestateling as a Distinct Moral Patient: Defining Ethical Limits and Prohibited Practices in Artificial Womb Technology"
12:00-13:20 Lunch Break
13:20-14:00 Keynote lecture #1: Prof. Masahiro Matsuo
"A Philosophical Consideration of Read-Across Assessment"
14:10-15:10 Keynote lecture #2: Prof. Alex Broadbent
"Power, Knowledge, and Covid-19: The Making of a Scientific Orthodoxy"
15:10-15:30 Discussion + Break
15:30-16:30 In-person Flash Talks
16:30-17:30 Online Flash Talks
17:30 Closing
18:30- Networking & Dinner (Paid event)
Please register here.
General Registration Deadline: March 24, 2026
Flash Talk Registration Deadline: March 10, 2026
Travel Grant Application Deadline: March 10, 2026
We warmly invite all participants to submit proposals for flash talks. Any talks related to the Philosophy of Medicine are welcome. The talk can be up to 5 min and can be in person or online. We especially encourage early-career medical professionals and researchers to contribute.
Due to time constraints, we may not be able to accommodate all presentation requests. In such cases, priority will be given to in-person participants. Thank you for your understanding.
The flash talk application is located at the bottom of the registration form.
The deadline is March 10.
The application for flash talks is now closed. Thank you for all the applications.
We strive to assist early-career medical professionals and researchers by offering partial funding for travel expenses, subject to the availability of funding. If you wish to be considered for this support, please indicate it when registering.
Travel grants are only available to those attending in person. Due to limited funding, the grant will cover travel only within Japan. We will prioritize applicants who will present flash talks during the workshop and are at an earlier stage in their careers.
The travel grant application is at the bottom of the registration form.
The application for the travel grant is now closed. Thank you for all the applications.
Important Dates
March 10, 11:59 PM (JST): Deadline for the Travel Grant Application Form
March 17: Notification of awardees
March 31: Workshop
April 7: Deadline for submitting receipts for travel and accommodation
Reimbursement will be processed around May to June.
For any questions, please contact Tatsuyuki Sato (tatsuyukisato[at]gmail.com).
This event is sponsored by Nakatsuji Foresight Foundation.