The 28th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Gastroenterological Carcinogenesis (JSGC) will be held in conjunction with the 9th International Conference of the International Society of Gastroenterological Carcinogenesis in the Hotel Mielparque Kumamoto in Kumamoto, Japan on Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18, 2017. It is a great honor for us to be able to host this meeting with a long history and tradition in Kumamoto, and my entire department is now working single-mindedly in preparation for the meeting.

Because it will be held simultaneously with the international conference, the theme of the meeting will be “Look into the future in cancer research.” I anticipate that researchers in a wide variety of fields, encompassing surgery, internal medicine, pathology, and basic research, will meet and engage in lively discussions on the results of the latest studies. It is my heartfelt hope that understanding the issues that have become apparent through these studies will lead to developments that will enable the future development of research into gastroenterological carcinogenesis, making this a highly fruitful meeting. Because this year’s meeting will be held simultaneously with the International Conference of the International Society of Gastroenterological Carcinogenesis, we hope to be able to invite many well-known researchers from overseas as speakers. I am sure that the meeting will provide opportunities for networking between international scientists and members of the JSGC, and intend to work toward encouraging the development of further international joint research.

As you are aware, Kumamoto was rocked by a magnitude 6.5 preshock on April 14 and by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake on April 16, 2016. This earthquake took the lives of approximately 50 people, and at the worst point over 180,000 people were forced to stay in evacuation centers due to the destruction of housing and the loss of lifelines. Kumamoto Castle, which is a focal point for Kumamoto residents, and the Aso region, a popular tourist destination, suffered particularly heavy damage, and this has caused us not only to feel a sense of the loss of the vibrant history and tradition built up by our ancestors, but also to be depressed about the future. Fortunately, no member of my department was injured, but our research facilities were severely damaged, temporarily bringing much of our clinical work, teaching, and research to a halt. However, the warm words of encouragement we have received from people around the country, as well as assistance in terms of both goods and personnel, have enabled us to start moving forward with reconstruction. I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude.

Today, Kumamoto City is in the process of recovering, and although it is still not possible to go inside Kumamoto Castle, its stone walls, which can partially be seen from outside the castle, not only convey the grandeur of the olden days but also give us the strength to work toward creative reconstruction. I hope you will look at Kumamoto as it is today, withstanding the blizzard and continuing to move forward toward the day when it will blossom again, and that you will continue to be of assistance in future. Happily, the street life of Kumamoto is well on its way to recovering and even exceeding its former bustle. Kumamoto in November is an invigorating season of clear skies and vibrant fall colors. You can look forward to eating local specialties such as basashi (horse sashimi), Kumamoto ramen, seafood from the Amakusa islands, and mountain delicacies from the Aso region, and I hope you will take the opportunity of the meeting to enjoy the pleasures of Kumamoto to the full.

We are making every possible preparation in the hope that this will be a memorable meeting, and I am very much looking forward to seeing you in Kumamoto.