Yokohama Selected to Host OHBM 2028, Strengthening Its Position as a Global Center for Brain Science and International Conferences
The city of Yokohama has been chosen as the host destination for the 2028 Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM), one of the most influential and respected international conferences dedicated to brain science, neuroscience, and neuroimaging research. The successful bid represents a significant achievement for both Yokohama and Japan’s scientific community, highlighting the country’s growing role in advancing global neuroscience research and fostering international academic collaboration.
Scheduled to take place from June 18 to June 22, 2028, at the renowned PACIFICO Yokohama convention center, the event is expected to attract approximately 3,000 participants from around the world. Researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, technology innovators, and industry leaders will gather to share groundbreaking discoveries, discuss emerging trends in brain research, and explore new opportunities for scientific cooperation. Notably, around 2,500 attendees are expected to travel from outside Japan, underscoring the conference’s global significance.
The selection of Yokohama as the host city marks only the second time that the OHBM Annual Meeting will be held in Japan, making the event a milestone for the country’s neuroscience community. The conference will be organized in partnership with the Japan Human Brain Mapping Society (JHBM), whose leadership and members have worked diligently over several years to bring the prestigious meeting back to Japan.
A Premier Event in Global Brain Research
The Organization for Human Brain Mapping is recognized as one of the world’s leading scientific societies dedicated to understanding the structure and function of the human brain. Its annual meetings serve as a major platform for the presentation of cutting-edge research in fields such as brain imaging, cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, neurological disorders, artificial intelligence applications in healthcare, and brain-health technologies.
Each year, the conference brings together experts from universities, research institutions, hospitals, government agencies, and private industry. Participants exchange ideas, present scientific findings, and collaborate on innovative approaches to addressing some of the most complex challenges in neuroscience and medicine.
As interest in brain science continues to grow globally, the importance of gatherings such as OHBM has increased significantly. Advances in neuroimaging technologies, machine learning, precision medicine, and neurological disease research are creating new opportunities to better understand the brain and develop treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, stroke, depression, and other neurological and psychiatric disorders.
OHBM 2028 is expected to provide an important forum for showcasing these advancements while promoting collaboration among scientists and institutions from different countries and disciplines.
Collaborative Effort Behind the Successful Bid
The successful selection of Yokohama as the host city was the result of extensive collaboration among multiple organizations at the local, national, and international levels.
The Yokohama City Visitors Bureau (YCVB) and PACIFICO Yokohama played key roles in supporting the Japan Human Brain Mapping Society throughout the bidding process. Their efforts were further strengthened through close cooperation with the City of Yokohama and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
Together, these organizations worked to demonstrate Yokohama’s strengths as a world-class destination for international conferences and scientific events. The bid highlighted the city’s advanced infrastructure, accessibility, research ecosystem, sustainability initiatives, and proven track record of hosting large-scale international gatherings.
The achievement also reflects the support of a wide network of local stakeholders, including hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, cultural institutions, tourism organizations, and community partners. Their collective efforts helped showcase Yokohama as an ideal environment for welcoming thousands of international visitors while providing an exceptional conference experience.
Why Yokohama Was Chosen
Several factors contributed to Yokohama’s successful bid to host OHBM 2028.
One of the city’s strongest advantages is its accessibility. Located near Tokyo and served by major transportation networks, Yokohama offers convenient connections for international travelers arriving from Asia, Europe, North America, and other regions. The city’s proximity to major airports and efficient public transportation system make it an attractive destination for global conferences.
Yokohama is also widely recognized as a center for science, technology, innovation, and research. The city is home to numerous universities, research institutes, healthcare organizations, and technology companies, creating an environment that supports scientific exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Sustainability was another important factor in the selection process. Yokohama has earned international recognition for its environmental initiatives and commitment to sustainable urban development. These efforts align with the growing emphasis among scientific organizations on hosting environmentally responsible events.
In addition, PACIFICO Yokohama offers one of Japan’s largest and most sophisticated convention facilities. The venue provides extensive meeting spaces, exhibition halls, conference rooms, and supporting infrastructure capable of accommodating thousands of participants. Its location within the city’s vibrant waterfront district also gives attendees easy access to hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions, and entertainment venues.
Excitement Within the Scientific Community
The announcement has generated considerable enthusiasm among members of the Japan Human Brain Mapping Society and the broader neuroscience community.
Professor Hiromasa Takemura, Chair of the JHBM OHBM2028 Bidding Committee and Professor at the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, expressed his excitement about the achievement. He noted that members of the society had spent many years working toward the goal of bringing the OHBM Annual Meeting back to Japan.
According to Takemura, the successful bid represents an important opportunity to showcase Japanese neuroscience research on the global stage while creating new possibilities for international collaboration. Hosting the conference will allow researchers from Japan and across Asia to engage directly with leading experts from around the world and contribute to the advancement of brain science.
The event is also expected to inspire the next generation of neuroscientists by providing students and early-career researchers with opportunities to present their work, build professional networks, and learn from established leaders in the field.
Economic and Academic Impact
Beyond its scientific significance, OHBM 2028 is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits to Yokohama and the surrounding region.
With thousands of attendees traveling to Japan for the conference, local businesses including hotels, restaurants, retailers, transportation services, and tourism operators are likely to experience increased demand. International conferences of this scale generate significant visitor spending and contribute to local economic growth.
At the same time, the event will strengthen Yokohama’s reputation as a leading destination for international meetings and academic gatherings. Successfully hosting a globally recognized conference such as OHBM can help attract future scientific, medical, and technology-related events, creating long-term benefits for the city.
The conference will also enhance opportunities for research collaboration between Japanese institutions and organizations around the world. By bringing together experts from diverse disciplines and geographic regions, OHBM 2028 can serve as a catalyst for new partnerships, joint research projects, and scientific breakthroughs.
Looking Ahead to 2028
As preparations begin for the 2028 Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping, organizers are focused on delivering an exceptional experience for participants while advancing the conference’s mission of promoting scientific discovery and international cooperation.
The event will provide a platform for sharing the latest developments in neuroscience, neuroimaging, and brain-health research while highlighting Yokohama’s strengths as a global destination for innovation and knowledge exchange.
With thousands of scientists and professionals expected to attend, OHBM 2028 promises to be one of the most significant neuroscience gatherings of the year. The conference will not only celebrate advances in understanding the human brain but also reinforce Yokohama’s growing role as an international hub for science, research, and global collaboration.
Event Overview
Event: 2028 Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM 2028)
Dates: June 18–22, 2028
Venue: PACIFICO Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan
Expected Attendance: Approximately 3,000 participants, including around 2,500 international attendees
Organizer: Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM)
Local Partner: Japan Human Brain Mapping Society (JHBM)
About
The Yokohama City Visitors Bureau: The role of the YCVB is to employ the wealth of resources existing in the City of Yokohama and Kanagawa Prefecture to promote the region as an ideal destination for both tourists and international conventions. In this way, the YCVB is contributing to the reinvigoration of the City of Yokohama and surrounding areas, and the advancement of its globalization.
