The Institute for Planetary Materials (IPM), Okayama University, held the international symposium 2026 MISASA IX, entitled “Understanding the Martian System Through Biosignatures, Surface Processes, and Internal Dynamics,” on Thursday, February 26, and Friday, February 27, 2026, at Hotel Cent Palace Kurayoshi in Kurayoshi City, Tottori Prefecture.
A total of 73 participants, including 15 graduate students, attended the symposium from Japan and abroad.

The symposium was organized by the Institute for Planetary Materials with co sponsorship from J PEAKS, and was jointly planned through collaboration among three institutes of the Okayama University Institute for Advanced Research—the Institute for Planetary Materials, the Institute of Plant Science and Resources, and the Transdisciplinary Research Institute for Basic Sciences.

The symposium aimed to discuss the latest developments and future challenges in Martian science, as well as Japan’s upcoming Mars exploration programs. In addition, it sought to highlight how the Institute’s research facilities—particularly the Planetary Surface Environment Simulator, introduced last year—can contribute to advances in Martian research.

At the opening of the afternoon session on the first day, President Yasutomo Nasu of Okayama University delivered welcoming remarks, emphasizing the significance of Mars exploration research and the role the University plays in this field. He also addressed the University’s Long Term Vision 2050, the reinforcement of research systems under the J PEAKS initiative, the expansion of its function as a hub for industry–academia–government and international collaboration, and the enhancement of research infrastructure centered on the Planetary Surface Environment Simulator. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of the laboratory tour scheduled for the following day, during which research facilities were made publicly accessible, and conveyed a strong message of encouragement to the participants.