I am pleased to announce that the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Diabetes Society will be held from May 27 to 29, 2010 in Okayama City. While keenly aware of the tremendous responsibility, I am very honoured to have been asked to serve as the president of the annual meeting for this prestigious organization. The number of patients with diabetes has been steadily increasing in recent years and the formulation of effective strategies for prevention and cure is now a national issue. The purpose of this meeting is to promote the sharing of new knowledge among doctors and other medical staff involved in the treatment of diabetes by presenting research results and exchanging information. It thus represents an extremely important opportunity for the development of diabetology and the medical treatment and diagnosis of diabetes.

To promote prevention and establish a new treatment paradigm based on scientific evidence, we chose Innovations in Diabetology-Pursuing Optimal Prevention and Cure as the theme of the 53rd Annual Meeting. We aim to identify the mechanism behind the incidence and development of diabetes and its complications, and to compile scientific evidence for a comprehensive approach to diabetes in the twenty-first century. When faced with the sharp increase in the number of diabetes patients that has accompanied the aging of our population, the task imposed upon us as we seek future directions in diabetology is to recognize diabetes as a common disease and, based on the advancement of medical treatment, to actively pursue research initiatives aimed at its prevention, cure and eventual eradication.

One highlight of the upcoming annual meeting will be the introduction of debate sessions in which presenters will approach various pertinent clinical issues from opposing views, exploring the pros and cons. We anticipate that these discussions will expose the problems that need to be addressed and open up future horizons. In addition, by sharing these issues with a broad section of the greater public, we hope that this meeting will serve as a forum to transmit our message to society.

All of us at the Kawasaki Medical School's Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology are working together to prepare for this important event and we greatly appreciate your support and participation. The annual meeting will be held at the Okayama Convention Center and other facilities, all of which are within walking distance of JR Okayama Station. We look forward to welcoming you to this extremely convenient location from May 27 to 29, 2010.