The Japan Atherosclerosis Society will hold its 41st Annual Scientific Meeting with the main theme "Restoration of the Research of Arteriosclerosis: Discovery, Creation, and Challenge" on July 17^th and 18^th, 2009, at Kaikyo Messe Shimonoseki in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi. It is my great honor to host this important and heritage scientific meeting.

We would like to take advantage of our unique integration of basic and clinical research. For this reason, we are preparing the program of this scientific meeting so that we can exchange leading-edge information about cross-fertilization among an extensive range of academic fields, translation from experimental medicine to clinical medicine, and mutual cooperation between surgical and medical specialists for the treatment of arteriosclerotic diseases.

Our Special Lecture will be delivered by Prof. Valentin Fuster (Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York), who is well known for his study of the pathogenetic mechanism of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Invitation Lectures will be given by Prof. Peter Libby (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University, Boston), author of a well-known study on the molecular mechanism of the manifestation and development of atheroma on the arterial wall, and Prof. M. John Chapman (Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis Research Unit National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM), Paris), the president of the European Atherosclerosis Society and a well-known researcher of fat metabolism. I expect that these gentlemen will deliver world-class lectures.

We also plan a Chairman's Lecture, an Oshima Award Lecture, a Goto Yuichiro Award Lecture, an Award of the Japan Atherosclerosis Society Lecture, Asian Pacific Perspectives, and a Lifestyle-related Disease Forum, which is an industrial physicians' workshop authorized by the Japan Medical Association. In addition, there will be an Extension Lecture in the afternoon on the last day. The Symposium for Tomorrow will have two themes. Since the scientific meeting will be held by a professor from a cardiovascular medicine course, the symposium will have many themes that are related to clinical issues in the treatment of arteriosclerosis, including "CKD and Cerebrovascular Diseases" and "Imaging and Biomarkers of Unstable Plaque."

However, as in any scientific meeting, the main feature will be the presentations. Although all presentations are poster sessions, we hope to provide adequate opportunities for presentation and discussion. I invite you to apply to give a presentation.

Shimonoseki City, this meeting venue, is located at the southwest extremity of Honshu facing the Moji ward of Kitakyushu City across the Kanmon Strait. The city has been at the center of many historical events including the Genpei Battles and has many historic sites. Visitors will enjoy seafood from three seas: the Sea of Japan, Hibikinada Sea, and Seto Inland Sea. I hope that many of you will be able to participate in the meeting and enjoy summer in Shimonoseki.