I was elected Chairperson (representative director) of this association at the special Board meeting held in February this year. I am responsible for the second term following the first term. Your kind cooperation would be appreciated.

Five years have passed since this association was established. The number of members exceeds 3,500 and we are now one of the major associations on the verge of its adolescence. I deeply appreciate all of the members for their efforts and cooperation.
Following the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and Japan Surgical Society, JGA has launched as an association that features wide and deep research on the fundamentals and clinical cases of gastrointestinal tract in Japan, along with the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology and Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. Now we found our feet and recognized both nationwide and globally.
We have already held five Annual Meetings and will hold the third Educational Seminar. Currently there are a large number of JGA certified gastroenterologist aiming to become gastroenterological specialists and its number is increasing. Financial foundation is becoming stable and the secretariat at Keiso Shobo Publishing Co., Ltd. is operating firmly. I expect more and more candidates for members to join us, especially, surgical doctors are welcome.

We have Board meetings including regular Board meetings and special Board meetings. Regular Board meetings will be held twice in each business year with an interval exceeding four months in between. In the new system, a special Board meeting can be held whenever the chairperson of the Board of Directors has determined necessary or upon request by a director indicating agenda items of the meeting.

We wish to nourish the association specified in gastroenterology. Your active participation and further cooperation would be appreciated.

With kind regards                               

Akira Terano