We are pleased to invite you all to the 2023 Asia-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting (APRIM 2023) in Japan at the BIG PALETTE FUKUSHIMA in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, from August 7-11, 2023.

Taking place once every three years, APRIM is one of the largest regional meetings of the IAU, where astronomers in the Asia-Pacific region gather to discuss common scientific interests and contribute to astronomy advancement internationally. New Zealand hosted the first APRIM in 1978, and since then, the meeting has been held regularly until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation. Japan has hosted this IAU meeting twice, in 1984 in Kyoto and 2002 in Tokyo. 2023 will be the third APRIM held in Japan. For this edition, we are planning to provide our participating researchers with an enriched full IAU experience while scientifically impacting the region through international collaboration. Mindful of regional and national contexts, we wish that APRIM 2023 Japan reflects the diversity of Asia-Pacific with tolerance and inclusion permeating all its discussions that will impact competitiveness in research and bring innovation through regional collaboration.

APRIM2023 will be one of the first large regional conferences in astronomy after the pandemic, and we are carefully carrying its implementation drawn from recent lessons learnt from the international community and the previous experience in organizing hybrid accessible meetings. The LOC wishes APRIM 2023 to be a relevant and impacting experience for both participants online and onsite.

Additionally, we are honoured that Fukushima Prefecture was selected as the venue, aiming to support the post-earthquake recovery. We wish that this hosting area also reflects meaningfully on the participants' personal experience: by visiting the 'tsunami afflicted' area and meeting first-hand the community that is hosting us; and to participate in astrotourism and astrophotography activities under the mesmerizing dark skies of Fukushima.

Although we are still in a difficult situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the LOC has diligently started all preparations in hopes of giving you a warm and friendly welcome to APRIM 2023 Japan.

Prof. Jun-ichi WATANABE (National Astronomical Observatry of Japan)
Chair of Local Organizing Committee