It is my great honor to invite you to the 12th Congress of the Asian Association of Endocrine Surgeons(AsAES). This year we will meet in Japan again, 20 years after the initial congress chaired by Dr. Yoshihide Fujimoto and the second congress chaired by Dr.Tanekazu Harada. Looking back the history of AsAES, much has transpired in the world and our field since the last meeting in Japan. We hope this year’s gathering will provide the opportunity to reinvigorate and promote the highest quality of medicine in the field of endocrine surgery. We have set the theme of this meeting as “Innovation and Development Toward a New Era in Endocrine Surgery” and are organizing a concentrated 2-day program.
　I am also very excited that our meeting will take place during springtime in Japan. Many flowers will be in bloom including the cherry blossoms which have inspired Japanese poets for over a thousand years.. We hope you will be able to enjoy the Japanese spring with us. The congress venue is located in Shinjuku, a lively area in the heart of Tokyo with restaurants, nightspots, and many places to shop. Other popular tourist destinations such as Asakusa, Akihabara, and Roppongi, Odaiba, Ginza and so on are nearby. Majestic Mt. Fuji and the world heritage site Nikko are also within reach from Tokyo and make for wonderful daytrips.
　Our scientific program promises to feature lectures, panel discussions, free papers, and poster sessions and we will offer the Yoshihide Fujimoto Prize and John Farndon Award.
　We hope that the 12th Congress of the AsAES will provide you with an opportunity to share your research and contribute to the field of endocrine surgery.
　Once again, your participation in this exciting opportunity is very much appreciated. I am looking forward to meeting you in Tokyo, 2010.