JDDW President's Address
Kazuhiko Koike
President, Japan Digestive Disease Week (JDDW)
It is a great honor that I have been appointed as the President of the Japan Gastroenterology Association (JDDW) at the board meeting held in February 2023, succeeding the former President Toru Shimosegawa. JDDW is composed of four major societies: the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE), the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES), the Japan Society of Hepatology (JSH), and the Japan Society of Gastroenterological Surgery (JSGS), plus the Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening (JSGCS). JDDW is one of the largest academic conferences in Japan. I am very honored, but at the same time I feel the weight of responsibility.
Looking back on the history, in 1990, the JSGE proposed a meeting of societies related to the gastrointestinal system, after which the academic societies related to digestive systems came together and formed the Japan Digestive Disease Joint Convention in 1992. As the 1st Digestive Disease Week (DDW)-Japan, DDW-Japan 1993 was held consisting of six societies (JSGE, JGES, the Japan Pancreas Society, the Japan Biliary Association, the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Mass Survey, and the Japan Society of Coloproctology). In 2001, the organization of DDW-Japan was launched to further strengthen the convention’s operational base, and in 2010, the General Incorporated Association Japan Digestive Disease Week was established. Today, JDDW is an organization jointly run by the member societies, with six standing committees. JDDW has been steadily developing, and this year, in November 2023, the 31st JDDW is scheduled to be held in Kobe.
According to the Articles of Incorporation, the purpose of JDDW is to "contribute to the advancement and popularization of gastroenterology, thereby contributing to the academic culture of medical care and the development of public welfare and medical care, as well as conducting research, education and medical care in gastroenterology”. The purpose of the project is to "hold JDDW, joint meetings on medical education, and provide information and enlightenment on gastrointestinal medical care to the public." "Educational Activities", "Social Contribution", and although not specified, "Internationalization" are understood to be the three major points we should aim for.
Under the strong leadership of former presidents Atomi, Sugano and Shimosegawa, JDDW has grown significantly, and now the number of registered participants is well over 20,000, making it the largest academic conference in Japan. COVID-19 from early 2020 has had a big impact on us. Even so, the total number of participants did not fall below 20,000 thanks to the early introduction of the web participation system and the wisdom of former president Shimosegawa, who decided to make hybrid events the standard. The percentage of local participants, which was below 15% in 2020, is approaching 30% in 2022. The Post-COVID-19 era is approaching. However, the most affected by COVID-19 was information exchange and interaction with overseas doctors and researchers. It can be said that remote lectures are sufficient for information only, but face-to-face exchanges can achieve deeper understanding, research progress, and education beyond remote lectures. I think it's a fact that has been recognized again by the COVID-19 disaster.
Inheriting the efforts of our predecessors, we would like to further enhance JDDW, focusing on three points: "internationalization," "educational activities," and "social contribution." In particular, I would like to discuss with related academic societies, set higher goals, and strive for well-balanced management of the society. We would like to ask for the support of all related societies and all members of related societies.
February 3, 2023
Kazuhiko Koike
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
Director, Kanto Central Hospital
