Welcome Message

Greetings from President,
the 51^st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan Diabetes Society (JDS)

It is our pleasure to extend our cordial invitation to you for the 51st Annual Meeting of the Japan Diabetes Society, which will be held from May 22-24, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan, under the theme, “Unite for the next half-century of diabetology: New hopes and challenges”

I believe my responsibility as Chairman of the current Annual Scientific Meeting of the JDS straddles two important roles. One is that the meeting carries on the splendid legacy of the JDS that stretches back half a century, and the other is that we make great strides into the future based on this legacy. To make this happen, it is critical that not only diabetes researchers, physicians, and other health workers but also diabetes patients join forces in continuing the fight against diabetes, a grave medical crisis presently facing our society, and one that looks sure to increase in severity unless it is strongly attacked now. I am sure our future will be one full of “hopes and challenges”, that is, innovations and breakthroughs in which the patient will take center stage in diabetology and diabetes management. On a global front, the world is about to embark on a renewed fight against diabetes with a timely slogan “Unite for diabetes” consistent with our theme and in line with the recent epoch-making resolution by the United Nations. Therefore, I would like to position the current Annual Scientific Meeting of the JDS that is to follow the World Diabetes Day scheduled for November 14, 2007 as the first step in the cause in which all diabetes researchers, healthcare providers and patients “join forces”. The current Annual Scientific Meeting has been planned to reflect cutting-edge advances in diabetes research, diabetes management, patient education, and diabetes prevention, and I am sure that the lively and thought-provoking scientific sessions planned will inspire and motivate all delegates to continue their work in these pivotal areas.

I look forward to welcoming you all to the 51^st Annual Meeting of the Japan Diabetes society to be held from May 22 through 24, 2008 at Tokyo International Forum.

Augst.2007