Welcome to the MMM7 (7th Mangrove Macrobenthos and Management) Conference, jointly organized by the University of the Ryukyus and the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME), in collaboration with mangrove researchers from Southeast Asia.  We are pleased to hold the MMM series in Japan, in particular in Ishigaki Island, Okinawa. This meeting will offer a unique opportunity to engage in scholarly discussions and presentations adjacent to Japan’s most pristine mangrove forests. We believe all participants will enjoy the well-conserved mangrove forests near the northern limit of distribution. We look forward to your active participation and valuable contributions to advancing mangrove research to the next generation.