Kohnan Hospital certified as Japan's First ZEISS Reference Center

Tokyo, Japan / Oberkochen, Germany | April 8, 2026 | Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

Carl Zeiss Meditec Co., Ltd. announces that it has certified Kohnan Hospital of the Kohnan Kai Foundation as the first "ZEISS Reference Center" in Japan. This center will serve as an educational hub for surgical microscopes, with full-scale activities scheduled to commence in April 2026.

In today's medical field, where opportunities for direct surgery are on the decline, providing practical educational programs for surgical microscopes has become an urgent issue. The company has established the ZEISS Reference Center to provide educational opportunities utilizing the latest surgical microscope, ZEISS KINEVO 900 S, and other equipment. The goal is to contribute to the improvement of surgical techniques and clinical outcomes of young neurosurgeons, as well as enhancing patient satisfaction.

Kohnan Hospital has an extensive clinical track record as a hospital specializing in the brain and nerves. In 2024, the total number of neurosurgical operations was 921, with a well-balanced mix of endovascular surgeries (440 cases) and direct surgeries, both ranking among the highest in Japan. Notably, in craniotomy clipping for cerebral aneurysms, there were 50 ruptured and 65 unruptured cases, demonstrating highly abundant experience in multidisciplinary treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Furthermore, with 46 bypass surgeries for ischemic brain diseases and 90 brain tumor surgeries, it serves as an extremely valuable clinical training facility for improving the skills of neurosurgeons.

Historically, Kohnan Hospital has been a major education-affiliated facility of Tohoku University Hospital. In fact, many neurosurgeons who have built their clinical experience at Kohnan Hospital now hold key positions such as professors, hospital directors, deans of medical schools, and even university presidents at major universities nationwide. This outstanding track record in human resource development aligns perfectly with the center's philosophy of nurturing next-generation leaders. By combining the hospital's refined surgical workflow and passion for education with ZEISS's cutting-edge technology, we expect this facility to become a leading neurosurgical education hub in Asia.

"Since our hospital began medical care in 1948 we have continuously specialized in brain and nervous system diseases and cerebrovascular disorders. We perceive our recent certification as a ZEISS Reference Center as a high evaluation of our long-cultivated achievements in clinical practice, education, and research. We greatly expect that through educational programs combining the latest technology with our clinical experience, young doctors nationwide will hone their skills, ultimately contributing to the qualitative improvement of neurosurgical care throughout Japan," says Dr. Nobukazu Nakasato, Director of Kohnan Hospital, Kohnan Kai Foundation.

"We are deeply honored to welcome Kohnan Hospital, which boasts Japan's highest level of clinical achievements, as Japan's first ZEISS Reference Center. Through this partnership, we are confident that we will provide the best educational environment for physicians, which will consequently contribute to the development of neurosurgical medicine in Japan and the improvement of patients' QOL," says Yoshimasa Tanaka, Vice President of Carl Zeiss Meditec Co., Ltd.

As a model facility equipped with ZEISS products, the ZEISS Reference Center will broadcast "medical standards (best practices)" nationwide through the following activities:

1. On-site Training Program: Targeting young doctors locally and nationwide, we will conduct facility tours, classroom lectures, and surgical observations using the ZEISS KINEVO 900 S. The first "Surgical Observation and Information Exchange Meeting" is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, and we plan to continuously provide educational opportunities thereafter.
2. Collaboration with Off-site Practical Training: In collaboration with the "ZEISS Customer Experience Center" at the ZEISS headquarters (Tokyo) on February 18, 2026, we also plan to provide practical microscope operation training through dry and wet labs.
   

As a core hospital for the treatment of neurological diseases in the Tohoku region, Kohnan Hospital continues to provide advanced medical care. In addition to providing emergency medical care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the hospital focuses on training the next generation of medical professionals.

As a subsidiary of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Carl Zeiss Meditec Co., Ltd., provides comprehensive solutions that support the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic diseases, as well as innovative visualization solutions in the field of microsurgery. Carl Zeiss Meditec Co., Ltd., supports healthcare professionals through a wide range of applications based on medical technology and innovation.