Message from the President

Yoshihiro Ogawa

Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University

My name is Yoshihiro Ogawa from Kyushu University, and I am honored to have been appointed President of the Japan Endocrine Society. I would like to take this opportunity to respectfully inform all members of my appointment and to share my aspirations for this role.

The Japan Endocrine Society will mark its 100th anniversary in fiscal year 2026. I feel the immense responsibility of serving as President at this historic moment, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity. Our theme, “Ａ Century of Pride, Challenges, and Innovations,” will guide us as we reflect on the remarkable history of endocrinology in Japan and build a sustainable foundation for the Society’s activities for the next 100 years. Together with all members, I will do my utmost to make this milestone a memorable part of our history and to pass the baton firmly to the next generation who will lead the future.

In recent years, remarkable advances in science and technology have led to increasing specialization and maturation in many research fields. At the same time, society faces unprecedented challenges such as a super-aging population, a declining birthrate, a decrease in research capabilities, increasing complexity in medical ethics, and emerging infectious disease pandemics. Meanwhile, groundbreaking innovations like cutting-edge omics analysis, big data analysis, mathematical analysis, and artificial intelligence are significantly transforming the landscape of clinical practice and research. The Japan Endocrine Society boasts a diverse membership, comprising specialists from a wide range of clinical fields, including internal medicine, pediatrics, neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and urology, as well as numerous basic researchers engaged in advanced research. We have always valued free and open discussions among members from different backgrounds, and this diversity is the Society’s greatest strength. Through the creation of new knowledge born from interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to shape endocrinology to meet the demands of the coming era.

To broaden the foundation of endocrinology in Japan, revitalizing the activities of regional and branch societies is essential. In recent years, frequent natural disasters have struck across the country, making the role of regional branches in disaster medicine increasingly important. With the launch of the subspecialty “Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism” under the new board certification system, the number of young members is steadily rising nationwide. Through close collaboration between the Society’s headquarters and regional branches, we hope to further expand opportunities for young professionals aspiring to pursue endocrinology. Striving for truly nationwide endocrinology—"Endocrinology Across the Nation"—while deepening our engagement with local communities and the general public, we aim to contribute to improving healthcare and quality of life throughout Japan.

In today’s era of increasing globalization, internationalization is an important theme for the Japan Endocrine Society. We aim to deepen our collaboration with the International Society of Endocrinology and other related societies across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, so that Japan may be recognized as a “powerhouse of endocrinology” leading the world in the field. We are fortunate that in fiscal year 2026, the 22nd International Congress of Endocrinology and the 99th Annual Congress of the Japan Endocrine Society (ICE2026/JES2026) will be held jointly in Japan. This will be an exceptional opportunity for our members to experience an international conference firsthand. Internationalization is merely a means, not an end. Thus, we will strive to bring the benefits of international collaboration back to our domestic research and clinical practice, while also contributing to the global advancement of endocrinology.

As President, I will do my utmost for the development of the Japan Endocrine Society, and I sincerely ask for your continued support and cooperation going forward.

Yoshihiro Ogawa, MD, PhD
President, The Japan Endocrine Society
Professor, Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science,
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University