Addresses by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino(2025)

　Distinguished guests and Congress participants,

　It is a great pleasure for me to join many people from Japan and abroad at this Opening Ceremony of the 15th International Congress on Cleft Lip/Palate and Related Craniofacial Anomalies, for short CLEFT2025, being held here in Kyoto.

　This international Congress encompasses all fields related to the treatment of cleft lip/palate and related craniofacial anomalies. I am very pleased that this Congress, with a long history, is being held in Japan for the first time. I express my deep respect to those who have advanced this field for their long-standing dedication.

　I have learned that cleft lip/palate affect approximately 1 in every 500 to 1,000 live births, making them among the most common birth defects worldwide. These conditions can cause impairments not only for newborns and infants but throughout a person’s lifetime, and thus require care. Therefore, treatment cannot be accomplished through the efforts of a single professional field alone, but rather requires collaborations among specialists across a wide range of disciplines, including doctors, dentists, speech-language pathologists, and other medical and dental professionals. Meanwhile, I understand that in many developing countries, collaborative efforts across multiple fields are essential. These include the fostering of medical personnel, and improving the quality of comprehensive healthcare services.

　In this context, I understand that team-based care and collaborative studies are central to this Congress, which aims to facilitate research presentations and lively discussions through the Japanese concept of ‘wa’ in its theme of “‘Wa Harmony’ – Looking for Harmony and Consensus in comprehensive cleft care and collaborative studies”. I hope that the outcomes of this Congress will greatly contribute to strengthened collaboration and advancements in related fields.

　In concluding my address, I hope that active interdisciplinary exchanges among clinicians and researchers from around the world will provide momentum for further advances in research on cleft lip/ palate and craniofacial anomalies. Furthermore, it is my wish that the outcomes will lead to better treatment and brighter futures for patients around the world. I hope this Congress and your stay here in Kyoto will be fruitful, meaningful, and enjoyable.

　Thank you for your kind attention.