Special issue: the 15th Taishotoyama International Symposium on Gastroenterology (2). Forward.

Abstract

Taishotoyama International Symposium was established to educate and encourage young Japanese scientists. This was accomplished through the great efforts of 4 members of the organizing committee, Prof. T. Takemoto, Prof. K. Kobayashi, Prof. A.S. Tarnawski and Prof. G. L. Eastwood. I was assigned the great responsibility of the post of Secretary General by the organizing committee. The first International Symposium was held in 1987 at Shimoda Central Hotel. After a long series of advanced scientific planning and good organization, the symposium has established a brilliant tradition and a firm place in the scientific community. The 14th Taishotoyama International Symposium on Gastroenterology was planned to be held from April 14th to 16th at Regal Royal Hotel in Tokyo, however, it was canceled due to the massive earthquake that occurred off the coast of East Japan in March, 2011 and the subsequent major tsunami. Accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant of Tokyo Electronic Power Co. resulted in radioactive contamination and residents living near the nuclear power plant had to take refuge in distant locations. As devastated districts in several Tohoku Prefectures are currently undergoing re-construction, the Organizing Committee and Taishotoyama Pharmaceuticals decided to hold the 15th Symposium again in 2013 in order to continue the tradition and provide educational concepts that support and encourage the research minds and scientific prowess on the international stage. On this occasion I am extremely delighted to have the opportunity to discuss the latest topics in gastroenterology, which have progressed over past three years and to inform you again that I will be presiding over the 15th Symposium in Tokyo on September 26–28, 2013. The topics to be discussed by the organizing committee are: 1. GI Mucosal Injury and Repair, 2. GI inflammation and 3. Cancer Research of the GI tract. The organizing committee sincerely requests that all participants submit a large number of papers, and to present the impressive results of their scientific efforts in order to add to the excitement of the final symposium. All things considered, and to our great regret, this international symposium finally came to end this year. However, we take pride in this symposium which has continued to educate and encourage many young Japanese scientists since 1987 and has sent a huge number of contributions on gastroenterology all over the world. All of the papers involving invited foreign speakers will be published in two installments in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the direction of Editor in chief, Prof. Mamoru Watanabe. Finally, on behalf of the Organizing Committee for the Taishotoyama International Symposium, we would like to express our sincere appreciation for the earnest and heart-felt cooperation and strong support we have received especially from Mr. Akira Uehara, The Chairman, Mr. Akira Ohira, The President, and Mr. Yoshiaki Sasaki, executive Director of Taishotoyama Pharmaceuticals.