The new coronavirus has forced the cancellation of events and conferences around the world. On the contrary, we are seeing more small-scale online seminars with limited themes than in normal times. I think that researchers waiting at home are using these to collect information on the latest research. Although it is an online seminar or meeting that is convenient and solves the problems of mobility, it will be necessary to overcome a number of barriers in order to realize the original goodness of the academic society.

Initially, the Society, which was considering holding the event at the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, made a major turn to avoid cancellation or postponement. Newly entitled Japan XR Science Forum 2020 in US Midwest, the Japan-US Science Forum and Midwest Conference, which are held regularly in the United States, are combined online and are ideal for online use. "Cell X Latest Research", "Immune / Allergy X Skin", "Study Abroad Recommendations", "Interdisciplinary Exchange", and "Parent-Child Science Class" sessions will be held at the venue. At the venue, which has been expanded from the stand-alone academic society by removing the barriers between space and time, various attempts will be carried out across countries and across scientific fields. Fortunately, the number of applicants for oral presentations has been filled with researchers from Japan and overseas, and it has become possible to have attractive sessions where various themes are gathered together. In addition, as a special project, we also have a place to discuss careers before and after studying abroad. Open exchanges between participants are expected.

At the virtual reality (VR) venue, a space where the goodness of ordinary academic societies and online academic societies are crossed has been realized. Indeed, it is one of the proposals that symbolizes the "innovation of the science forum in the With-COVID-19 era" that the Society has been aiming for. It was my first experience to use virtual reality, but by using Avatar, I was able to preview the main venue, poster venue, etc. with excitement. If you are a first-time user like me, you may be confused about the virtual reality venue, but beyond that, the appeal of the academic society space where participants can interact and talk with each other awaits. We hope that you will also use the venue support of the virtual reality venue staff and enjoy the new style of the academic society.

As a highlight of the Society, we are planning to screen a video letter by two Nobel Prize winners in Physiology or Medicine (Yoshinori Ohsumi 2016 / Torsten Wiesel 1981) who are leading science. In addition, we place importance on instilling science in society and passing it on to the next generation, and we plan to give children an opportunity to experience the joy of science in the parent-child science class. Furthermore, thanks to the support of many companies, it has become possible to introduce new projects at the main venue and give presentation awards at each session. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you.

Although we have no choice but to reconsider the future of scientific societies, there will be many problems and anxieties when holding and participating in online societies. In order to solve these problems, the Society has realized a VR presentation space in the science classroom and medical field, which is not directly related to cross-reality (XR) technology including VR. I hope that such a pioneering attempt in the "with Corona Era" will change the image of academic societies and lead scientific discussions and presentations in a positive direction.

June, 2nd year of Reiwa