Message from the President
Hiroshi Jinnai
It is both a great honor and a profound responsibility to have been appointed President of the Japanese Society of Microscopy at the 81st Annual Meeting held in Fukuoka. Upon assuming this esteemed position, I would like to extend my sincere greetings and outline my aspirations for the years ahead.
The Japanese Society of Microscopy, with its long and distinguished history, has made significant contributions to advancing microscopy and its applications across a wide range of scientific and industrial fields. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of successive executive teams, the Society currently has a stable financial foundation, successfully organizes high-quality scientific meetings, and implements various initiatives to support and nurture young researchers.
However, the Society must now contend with a shifting landscape characterized by declining population trends and their anticipated impact on membership, along with the increasing complexity and diversification of research themes driven by global environmental and societal challenges. In addressing these developments, I intend to uphold the Society’s core missions—such as scientific meetings, research initiatives, journal publication, and recognition of academic excellence—while placing renewed emphasis on promoting diversity in both research fields and content.
With the generous support of our members, I hope to advance the Society by concentrating on the following strategic priorities:
1. Strengthening Inter-Societal Collaboration and Exploring Emerging Disciplines
To broaden our research landscape, it is crucial that we actively seek collaboration with related academic societies and foster deeper channels of communication. The Society has a robust membership base in fields such as metallurgy, inorganic materials, physics, and biology, all of which exhibit remarkable academic activity. Nevertheless, there remains significant potential for enhancing our engagement with the chemical sciences—fields that are increasingly vital for developing next-generation materials and advancing our understanding of physiological mechanisms.
To this end, I aim to enhance our collaboration with chemistry-oriented societies. By strengthening the integration of chemical sciences that bridge the gap between materials and biological research, we can contribute to the emergence of new fields such as soft organic materials and cultivate partnerships with chemical industries. I am confident that these efforts will further invigorate and expand the reach of our Society.
2. Diversification of Microscopy Techniques
In the field of microscopy, the convergence of multiscale and multimodal measurements, along with the integration of experimental techniques and computational analysis, has become a defining global trend. In response, we will actively engage with related communities to promote the diversification of microscopy methodologies and establish our Society as a leading force in this evolving international landscape.
3. Promotion of Internationalization
It is essential for the Society to maintain a keen awareness of global trends in microscopy and related technologies. We will continue to promote the international participation of our members, particularly early-career researchers and female scientists, by supporting their engagement in overseas conferences and academic activities. Furthermore, we seek to strengthen our relationships with international microscopy societies, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, to enhance the visibility and impact of Japanese microscopy within the global scientific community.
4. Organizational Strengthening and Regional Empowerment
Drawing on my experience in the Kansai, Kyushu, and Kanto branches, I have come to appreciate the importance of promoting regionally distinctive academic activities. To this end, we will encourage initiatives that reflect local characteristics and expertise, while also enhancing the administrative capabilities of the Society’s secretariat to ensure efficient and effective organizational operation.
In conclusion, I have outlined my aspirations for the Society’s future. While my contributions may be modest, I am firmly committed to advancing the scientific frontiers enabled by microscopy and fostering the continued growth and excellence of our Society. I humbly ask for the continued support and guidance of all our members in this endeavor.