I am Akiko Shiotani chief professor of the Department of Gastroenterology at Kawasaki Medical School. I will be serving as President of the 106th Congress of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society during JDDW 2023 Kobe. Our society was first established as Japan Gastrocamera Society in 1959, and has since made world-leading contributions to the development of endoscopy. It is truly an honor and privilege for me to be the first woman President of this congress that is steeped in history. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to those of you who nominated me.

The theme of the Core Session is endoscopic treatment of neoplastic diseases. Establishing endoscopic care for the very old is an issue requiring urgent attention and will be taken up in the theme session. We also plan to invite many speakers from Asia and other countries from abroad, in the hope that the congress will serve as an international venue for dissemination and exchange of information. To assist in the future success of women endoscopists and young physicians, a lecture by a woman endoscopist is planned on the basic endoscopic techniques for young endoscopists. We look forward to having many of you submit abstracts and participate in the congress.

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