Abstract: The 7th International Leprosy Congress held in Tokyo, Japan from November 12-19, 1958, was the first global leprosy academic conference to be held in Asia. After the Indian government withdrew its bid to host the event, it was taken over by the Japan Leprosy Foundation and the Japan Leprosy Association. Representatives from 41 countries and regions, totaling 181 delegates, attended the conference. A total of 120 papers were exchanged. The discussions were divided into six topics: bacteriology and histopathology, treatment, classification, epidemiology and control, immunology, and social issues. The conference shared progress in leprosy bacteriology, histopathology, and immunology, and reached a consensus on abolishing compulsory leprosy isolation policies and initiating outpatient treatment. The meeting called for increased attention to the prevention and rehabilitation of leprosy-related disabilities, opening up new areas in leprosy prevention and treatment. This academic exchange laid the foundation for the rapid development of global leprosy science that followed, changing the trajectory of global leprosy prevention and treatment, and providing valuable experience and lessons for academic societies in hosting academic conferences. It holds an important place and has a profound impact in the history of leprosy academic exchanges.

Key words: International Leprosy Congress, Tokyo, academic exchange