Greeting from the President of JSID
Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University School of Medicine
I was appointed as the President of the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology (JSID) as of April 2025. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the members of the society for their kind support, which enabled me to take this honorable position. I am deeply aware of the heavy responsibility of leading an organization that has been at the forefront of investigative dermatology and I will do my best, albeit with limited capabilities, to contribute to the further development of JSID and the field of dermatological research in Japan and overseas.
As the JSID President, I would like to focus on three key themes: "diversity," "fostering young researchers," and "globalization." JSID is a rare example of a society specifically focusing on research topics, that exists independently, not as a division of larger clinical societies. This fact eloquently tells the significance and uniqueness of JSID's existence.
The topics of research within dermatology are diverse. Our membership includes basic researchers who explore the biological and physiological characteristics of the skin, and scientists from the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries involved in product development and drug discovery, whose scientific findings have significantly advanced this field over time. While JSID is named as a "Society for Investigative Dermatology" and has many dermatologists as members, I would like to build a society where all members—whether they are engaged in basic or clinical research, and regardless of their institution, gender, or age—can engage in academic discussions and inspire each other to move the field forward.
In recent years, it has been noted that younger generations are moving away from research activities. However, various methodologies learned through research experience are undeniably valuable for solving the challenges that we face and tackle, regardless of what topics they are on. JSID has been striving to foster youngsters with a research mindset through programs such as the "Aoba-juku" and "Kisaragi-juku" seminars and collegiality exchanges with overseas societies/laboratories. Indeed, I am one of the beneficiaries of such activities. With the support of our members, I hope to further nurture the next generation of dermatological researchers.
In today's era of globalization, advancing internationalization must be addressed across all fields. At the International Society for Investigative Dermatology (ISID) 2023 meeting held in Tokyo in May 2023, under the leadership of the previous JSID president, Professor Kenji Kabashima (Kyoto University), and with the collaboration of former JSID president Professor Manabu Fujimoto (Osaka University), along with many other esteemed colleagues, we were able to successfully demonstrate the strength of Japanese dermatological research to the world. Continuing to build on this strength is an important mission for JSID. ISID is an international alliance of investigative dermatological societies representing regions such as North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific, and JSID is a charter member. Professor Masayuki Amagai (Keio University), who is a past president of JSID, currently presides ISID. This clearly indicates that JSID has established a significant international presence in this field. However, this presence is the consequence of hard works of our predecessors over many years, and it is our responsibility to further strengthen this advantage. Currently, research efforts are facing various challenges and it is more crucial than ever that we come together, encourage one another, and continue to push ourselves. JSID must continue to be an organization that creates such opportunities.
Obviously, these missions cannot be achieved by my efforts alone, and I will definitely need the support and cooperation of as many members as possible. I would like to sincerely ask for your active participation and support in our endeavors.
