Biography

Dr. Mitsuo Ochi graduated from the School of Medicine at Hiroshima University in 1977 and completed his PhD degree in 1984. He is an internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon, specializing in Orthopedics, Regenerative Medicine, and Sports Medicine, and is known for his lifelong research on the treatment of knee cartilage and knee ligament injuries. He served as a Thorndike Visiting Lecturer at MGH, Harvard Medical School as well as a Visiting Professor at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Irvine. Renowned for his innovative research on the treatment of either knee cartilage or ligament injuries, Dr. Ochi has received numerous awards in Japan and abroad, including:

• John J. Joyce Award, awarded by ISAKOS in 1993 & 2005.
• President’s Prize of the Science Council of Japan, awarded by the Cabinet Office in 2004.
• Commendation for Science and Technology, awarded by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2010 & 2020.
• Minimally Invasive Endoscopy Prestigious Doctors Award, awarded by The Third World Endoscopy Doctors Conference in 2011.
• Medal with Purple Ribbon, awarded by the Emperor of Japan in 2015.
• Life Time Achievement Award (The 8th Congress of Indian Cartilage Society and 7th Congress of Asian Cartilage Repair Society in Jaipur), in 2022.
• International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (Honorary membership award), 2023.
• Giants in Orthopedic Sports Medicine (featured on ISAKOS’ video series), 2024.

He has served as President of Hiroshima University since April 2015. During his tenure, he has made significant contributions to the university’s internationalization efforts, including the following:

• A more than 2.9-fold increase in international exchange partner institutions and overseas bases, now totalling 452 inter-university agreements and 23 overseas bases.
• The successful facilitation of campus establishments by Arizona State University and the University of Idaho within the premises of Hiroshima University.
• Improvements in students’ language proficiency
• The establishment of the “MIRAI CREA”, a hub facility for international exchange.
• Wins Grand Prizes at THE Awards Asia 2025
• Ranks 77th worldwide in THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026