GREETING

My name is Eiichiro Tanaka of Waseda University, and I have been appointed Chief Director of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine and Rehabilitation. Our society originated in 2014 as the Society for Regenerative Medicine and Rehabilitation, with Professor Kazumi Kawahira, Professor Emeritus of Kagoshima University, as its first Chief Director. Its purpose is to promote scientific advances and disseminate knowledge in the fields of regenerative medicine, rehabilitation medicine, robotics, and neuroscience, and to contribute to the development of academic culture. We subsequently welcomed Professor Louis Yuge, Professor Emeritus of Hiroshima University, as our second Chief Director, and in 2018 the society expanded to the current name, the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine and Rehabilitation.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our many members, researchers, medical professionals, hospitals, and companies for their support, which enabled us to celebrate our 10th anniversary last year. Furthermore, since the Society’s inception in 2014, I have witnessed its development as a director thanks to the tireless efforts of Professor Kawahira, the first Chief Director, and Professor Yuge, the second Chief Director.

For this reason, I feel a great sense of responsibility in taking on the important role of leading the Society’s future. To further invigorate the Society, I would like to set out the following three points as guidelines for our activities over the two years leading up to 2026.

1. Realizing and Invigorating Fusion
The Society’s greatest feature is its ability to bring together experts from different fields, such as regenerative medicine, rehabilitation medicine, and robotics, to engage in face-to-face discussions across disciplinary boundaries. While we have held an annual academic conference to date, we would like to hold additional workshops (study groups) to increase opportunities for discussions with people from different fields. Workshops were held irregularly before the COVID-19 outbreak, and we hope that everyone will feel free to participate.

2. Strengthening Information Provision
Until now, we have distributed irregular journals and a yearly newsletter. However, we hope to increase the frequency of newsletters and enhance the information on our website. We also plan to increase co-sponsorship and sponsorship with other academic societies and organizations to provide even more information.

3. Supporting the Activities of Young Researchers and Students
Initiated by our previous chief director, Professor Yuge, the Young Researchers Working Group continues to carry out its activities. Furthermore, we will establish a Young Award to support participation in the society and invigorate the research activities of young researchers and students.

By promoting these three policies, we hope to attract many researchers, medical professionals, and companies in the fields of regenerative medicine, rehabilitation medicine, robotics, and neuroscience. This will lead to the development of new research and technologies originating in Japan, and the creation of new industries that will contribute to society by saving many patients and supporting the elderly, ultimately revitalizing our country. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.