Greeting

Inaugural Address of Professor Fujisawa

  I am looking forward to the honor of being the President of the Japanese Urological Association (JUA), appointed at the executive board meeting which was held on April 18th, 2015 during the 103rd Annual Meeting of the JUA in Kanazawa, Japan.
  Over the past two years, since the JUA changed to general incorporation status, the number of our member urologists has reached over 8,200. Urology has been steadily and dramatically developing as a fascinating specialism, which is integrated with aspects of both internal and surgical medicine. The JUA, a key academic society in the domain of urology, must aspire to superb, cutting-edge research, develop and deliver advanced technologies in medicine, educate urologists to even higher standards, and establish responsible community medicine. We must further pursue various innovations to promote the good health of the nation.
  First, concerning basic research activities, we must establish a framework for securing financial resources and for the support of research activities, aiming to encourage advanced research and practice on the part of JUA members. It is further necessary to press forward with global clinical trials in cooperation with overseas institutions as well as domestic partners. Additionally, we have an important mission to develop further the IJU: International Journal of Urology, one of the publications of the JUA and a valuable medium to offer information on our members’ excellent research results and achievements. This academic journal has steadily built a solid position and has become a top journal in Asia in the field of urology.
  Second, concerning clinical practice, we must ensure that urology gains a firm footing as an individual department, especially where there is some overlap with other clinical specialisms, and particularly in highly specific areas of urology such as robot-assisted surgery among others. We are required to continuously educate younger clinicians so that they inherit our knowledge and skills as qualified urologists. The quality of education we provide in fostering superior clinicians who can oversee the progress of our field of urology in the coming years also affects our future research in the science and medical provision of urology in Japan. At the moment, in the midst of the reforms to the medical specialists system related to the education of younger clinicians, the JUA has to play a pivotal role in fostering qualified specialists. We must devote further efforts to preparing leading-edge educational programs in cooperation with university hospitals, local medical institutions, and a great number of general practitioners. We appreciate your understanding and active cooperation in this.
  Third, concerning academic exchange, we have been strongly devoted to promoting it with the cooperation of other associations and societies of urology in Asian, American, and European countries. The current programs for junior urologists, through which they can take advantage of valuable opportunities to undergo special training or attend educational courses abroad, must be continuously implemented and improved. Urologists at an early stage of their careers must be encouraged with fully-considered supportive measures by the JUA, to become world-leading specialists equipped with the wisdom of the international community.
  Fourth, a solid database of clinical information must be built up as a tool for urologists to help them in their work. We can systematically perceive the whole context of the current status of urological services, through analyzing and evaluating the data obtained, and then advance improvements in quality. Delivering the best medical service for patients is one of the JUA’s great responsibilities.
  Fifth, in response to rapidly-evolving medical technologies and healthcare environments, the improvement and enforcement of safety control systems have come to be the focus of attention. Measures to provide safe and secure medical services must be devoted on the initiative of the JUA and implemented at respective clinical sites. Such efforts will further enhance the credibility of the JUA.
  Next, responding to the transformation of society where the number of women clinicians is constantly increasing, continuous analysis of the working status and circumstances of women urologists must be performed nationwide. This can be coordinated by the leadership of the present Committee for Gender Equality. With the future of urology in mind, we must put emphasis on improving concrete plans such that our members’ departments of urology can implement them at their respective clinical sites, including the promotion of more employment and re-employment of women urologists, and the prolongation of their working period.
  To conclude my inaugural address, I would like to stress that we, the board members, are committed to contributing all our effort to the development of the JUA, by such means as strengthening public relations activities, encouraging closer communication between members and the JUA, and by giving serious consideration to the advice and suggestions of every member. We always welcome your proactive support. Thank you.

Masato Fujisawa, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Division of Urology,
Department of Surgery Related,
Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine