Shinji Tanaka, MD. PhD, FJGES, FASGE

At the beginning of 2025, I would like to offer my greetings to all of you.

Nearly five years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the spring of 2020. Thankfully, daily life has almost returned to pre-pandemic norms following the reclassification of COVID-19 to Category 5 under the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases in May 2023. Although some hospitals in Japan still mandate mask-wearing to prevent infections, others leave this decision to individuals, signaling a gradual end to the pandemic’s disruptions. Interestingly, Japan remains one of the few countries where mask-wearing is still common, which I personally find slightly excessive. On the other hand, challenges persist worldwide. Conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, and other regions continue, and the weak yen has led to rising prices. I sincerely hope for an end to these international conflicts and recovery of Japan’s economic stability.

In terms of professional activities, the traditional face-to-face format for scientific meetings and social gatherings has resumed. At the same time, the use of web-based technologies, which grew significantly during the pandemic, has become an integral part of conferences in Japan and abroad. Hybrid and on-demand formats are now widely utilized, allowing doctors unable to attend in person to participate remotely. While web conferencing is effective for formal meetings or discussions among colleagues who are familiar with each other, it is far less effective for building relationships and mentoring between individuals who have not met in person. Conferences provide not only opportunities to attend lectures and presentations but also valuable face-to-face interactions outside the sessions. I encourage senior medical professionals to accompany young doctors to these events and provide opportunities for mentorship and networking beyond the academic sessions.

In 2024, the 107th Congress of JGES was held in Tokyo under the chairmanship of Dr. Atsushi Irisawa, with the theme “Gastrointestinal Endoscopy for Opening the Way to a New Future: Inheritance, Creation, and Innovation for the Next Generation.” The meeting welcomed 8,344 participants, both in person and on-demand. Similarly, the 48th JGES Seminar, led by Dr. Junko Fujisaki, successfully took place on September 22, 2024, in Tokyo in a hybrid format, attracting 2,393 participants. Additionally, the 108th Congress of JGES in JDDW 2024 was held in Kobe from October 31 to November 2, 2024, under Congress President Dr. Naohisa Yahagi. It saw significant attendance, with 8,512 on-site participants and a total of 20,303 attendees, including those accessing the on-demand content.

As of February 29, 2024, JGES has grown to 34,266 members. However, challenges remain, including the development of a medical specialist system, career support for female endoscopists, and the advancement of internationalization projects. To support female professionals, the Women Endoscopists for Global Exchange and Career Advancement (WEGECA) was established under the Women Endoscopists Career Support Committee. This organization collaborates with Women in Endoscopy (WIE) and the Women in Gastroenterology Network Asia Pacific (WIGNAP) to foster international information exchange, empowering female endoscopists to excel in clinical care and research.

As you know, the 1st JGES International will take place at the Toshi Center Hotel in Tokyo on September 5-6, 2025. Under the leadership of Congress President Dr. Haruhiro Inoue and Vice-President Dr. Hironori Yamamoto, the event will feature live demonstrations, hands-on seminars, and activities hosted by WEGECA. We hope for strong participation from domestic and overseas doctors, further accelerating the internationalization of JGES.

On the publishing front, the JGES English journals continue to thrive. DEN Open (Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Takao Itoi), the sister journal of Digestive Endoscopy (Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Takayuki Matsumoto), was recently granted an Impact Factor. We anticipate continued growth and further development of both journals in the future.

This year, the 109th Congress of JGES will be held in Sapporo from May 9-11, chaired by Dr. Hiroo Yamano. The 49th JGES Seminar will follow on September 21, chaired by Dr. Kunio Kasugai, in a hybrid format. The 110th Congress of JGES in JDDW 2025 will take place in Kobe from October 30 to November 1, chaired by Dr. Kiyohito Tanaka. We look forward to active participation and lively discussions among members.

Finally, I would like to thank all members for your continued cooperation and support. Let us work together to further advance the mission and success of JGES in the year ahead.

New Year’s remarks 2025 (Japanese)