Dr Shota Akabane is a Japanese surgeon with interests in minimally invasive surgery, hepatopancreatobiliary surgery and renal transplantation. He has undertaken fellowship training in Australia and works in a high-volume clinical environment while contributing to outcomes research and surgical education. His academic focus includes competency-based training, video-based assessment, and quality assurance for the safe diffusion of new techniques. He is involved in programme development for robotic surgery and multicentre clinical studies, and regularly presents at national and international meetings. His goal is to build pragmatic frameworks that improve patient safety while supporting innovation and collaboration. He mentors trainees and students.