Hisashi Saji is a renowned thoracic surgeon, widely recognized for his expertise in cutting-edge techniques including minimally invasive surgery, radical procedures, surgical oncology, and multidisciplinary thoracic treatment. He currently serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Chest Surgery at St. Marianna University School of Medicine, where he has earned international acclaim for his exceptional contributions to the field.
Dr. Saji is the principal investigator and coordinator of several pivotal clinical trials—such as JCOG0802/WJOG4607L, JCOG1413, and JCOG2109—conducted by the Lung Cancer Surgical Study Group within the prestigious Japan Clinical Oncology Group. Together with his colleagues, he continues to generate landmark evidence guiding surgical strategies for early-stage lung cancer (Saji H et al. Lancet 2022; Suzuki K et al. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2022; Aokage K et al. Lancet Respir Med 2023).
He earned his medical degree from Gifu University School of Medicine in 1995. He began his clinical career as an intern at the International Medical Center of Japan in Tokyo and completed his general surgery residency at Tokyo Metropolitan Komagome Hospital. His passion for thoracic surgery led him to Tokyo Medical University, where he pursued specialized training and research focusing on cytokine mechanisms in lung cancer, culminating in the award of a PhD. In 2003, Dr. Saji expanded his research experience through postdoctoral work in Professor Edgar Engleman’s laboratory in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he contributed to advances in dendritic cell-based tumor immunotherapy.
Since his appointment in 2019 as Chair, Dr. Saji has solidified his position as a leading authority in thoracic surgery. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and is an active contributor to academic discourse through lectures on surgical oncology and clinical research. Dr. Saji holds multiple board certifications in thoracic surgery in Japan, reflecting his deep expertise and dedication to the highest standards of patient care. His exceptional achievements and unwavering commitment to innovation have firmly established him as a globally respected leader in thoracic surgery.