It is my privilege to have been appointed President of the 114th Annual Congress of Japan Surgical Society, which will be held at the Kyoto International Conference Center for the three days from April 3 (Thursday) to April 5 (Saturday), 2014.

The last time the President of an Annual Congress came from the Department of Surgery of Kyoto University was for the 102nd Annual Congress in 2002 (chaired by Professor Masayuki Imamura), and I would like to express my profound gratitude once again for the great honor of hosting the Congress this time, with the help and support of many of the members of the Japan Surgical Society.

The title chosen for the 114th Congress is "The front line of surgery: collaborations between local hospitals and advanced medical care centers." We intend to hold an engaging conference, in which members of the Japan Surgical Society who are active on the front line of surgical treatment, training, and research, particularly mid-career and young surgeons who will be responsible for shouldering the future of surgery in Japan, will engage in stimulating presentations and discussions on the latest surgical practices, the future of surgical training, and the results of research toward the future of surgery in which they are engaged.

The most important factors for developing surgical treatment in Japan will be to increase the number of young surgeons and to provide them with a better system of training. Our aim is to create a virtuous circle as a result, in which hopeful young surgeons will follow in the footsteps of those flourishing in the middle of their careers. We hope a large number of mid-career and young surgeons will submit presentations to the Congress, and in addition to inviting public submissions for as many advanced-level presentations as possible, we will also offer numerous plenary sessions, requested presentations, and free papers, as well as utilizing the poster presentation framework as widely as possible, to enable as many members as possible to participate. With respect to the system of training young surgeons, I believe that this should be carried out as seamlessly as possible until they become mid-career surgeons in their 40s, with individual skills evaluated in collaboration between local hospitals and key institutions such as university hospitals, but opinion may vary on this point. I hope to spark debate between surgeons from a range of perspectives and age groups.

To create a favorable environment for increasing the number of young surgeons will require support for social aspects such as improving working environments, revising medical reimbursements, and considering the shape of the specialist certification system, how to deal with medical accidents, and career formation for women surgeons, and it is important to reach a common understanding among members on what sort of issues are currently being raised and how they are being debated. This subject will form a special part of the program, and we are arranging this so that the message will reach as many members as possible at the Congress. I very much hope you will take part.

The Congress will take part during the spring, when the cherry blossoms should be in full bloom in Kyoto. We are preparing to welcome participants with heartfelt hospitality, in order to make this conference both significant and memorable for JSA members. I hope participants will be able to gain a lot from the Congress while enjoying Kyoto in the spring.