The conclusion of ITC Fukuoka 2023 has hopefully left us all with fond memories and new ideas. We hosted 975 participants from 30 countries and regions, and saw 676 papers presented in 127 oral sessions and 3 poster sessions. We also had 6 luncheon seminars, more than 40 exhibitions, an evening forum, culture programs, tours, and a welcome reception and banquet.

The slogan of "Reunite, Invigorate, Create an Inspiring Future", and the conference logo of "UMEMUSUBI" (plum flower knot) expressed our strong desire to provide opportunities for our tribology colleagues to meet and talk in person in contrast to the trend of remote meetings in the internet era, to energize tribology with international collaboration under the shadow of increasingly unpredictable world affairs, and to discuss the future direction of tribology with an eye on sustainable development. We are pleased that the conference went well, and that it turned out exactly as we had hoped.

We thank all those who joined and contributed to the ITC for their engaging presentations, lively discussions, and useful exhibitions. We believe that the surrounding social exchanges were enjoyed by all and that many new friendships were formed. We thank everyone for making this event possible and for allowing us to contribute to international tribology once again.

We also thank the sponsors and exhibitors for their support, and the City of Fukuoka, the NSK Foundation for the Advancement of Mechatronics, and the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers for providing grants.

We hope to see you again in the near future!

Thank you so much.