Ikuya Nonaka, MD
Chair, Local Organizing Committee
Dear Colleagues,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 15th International Congress of World Muscle Society from October 12 to 16, 2010 in Kumamoto, Japan. Putting all bias aside, I believe that Kumamoto is the best place to have the meeting in Japan, not to mention the fact that autumn is the best season in Kumamoto. Because I have spent most of my full life in Kumamoto, from high school to medical school and early medical training, indeed I can say that Kumamoto is the best city to welcome you.
Kumamoto City, the prefectural capital of Kumamoto Prefecture, is located in the center of Kyushu Island. It is a small city populated by around 700,000 people, thus access from all hotels to the venue (Kumamoto Citizen Hall) is within 10-15 minutes by walk or few minutes by tram, which only costs 150 yen (one Euro) for one trip. Kumamoto city, which is also known as the City of Forests, is blessed with several fascinating natural scenic places as more than half of the land is still untouched natural forests and grasslands. It is also famous for the Kumamoto castle, one of the three best castles in Japan and is closely located to the venue. When you feel a bit tired in studying, you can walk to the castle for relaxation and to get further energy. Reaching the city itself entails a long but exciting trip from Narita airport to Kumamoto via Haneda or other local airports, giving you some opportunity to travel to other places in Japan.
I am extremely grateful for the dedicated efforts of all the committee members involved in the preparation, organization and administration of this congress. I am also pleased to acknowledge the contributions from our sponsors and other organizations in pursuing this congress.
I am confident that the congress will provide all the delegates with a good opportunity to share ideas and cutting-edge knowledge, fostering not only scientific collaboration but also camaraderie. I wish all the delegates a wonderful time during a stimulating and fruitful congress.
Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture
Ikuo Kabashima
I would like to offer a heartfelt welcome to all the esteemed participants from around the world who will attend the 15th International Congress of the World Muscle Society. My thanks go also to the organizers of the Congress for selecting Kumamoto as the venue for this gathering.
As one of the pillars for prefectural government I have set the objective of “realizing a society that embraces longevity without fear.” To realize this objective I recognize that the most important thing is “long life lived in good health.”
This International Congress is one that brings together preeminent researchers from around the world who are at the frontlines of research and development into the treatment of muscular disorders. It offers an opportunity to publicize and discuss the latest research information. What is more, this 15th International Congress will be the first time that the event has been held in Asia. The Congress is also an event that makes a significant contribution to the progress of medicine, as it sends out a global message about the latest research results in the field of muscular disorders. In that sense it is my wish that the Congress will lead to the realization of “long life lived in good health,” which is the fervent wish of so many people. It is truly an honor for so significant an international congress to be held here in Kumamoto.
Kumamoto Prefecture is blessed with natural wonders and historical and cultural heritage. These include Mt. Aso, with one of the largest caldera craters in the world and the beautiful Amakusa Islands, not to mention a wealth of indoor and outdoor hot springs with unique properties, and imposing Kumamoto Castle, which boasts a 400-year history. Kumamoto is also one of Japan’s foremost agricultural regions, boasting top or number two production volume for a variety of produce, including citrus fruits such as the Dekopon and water melon, as well as tomatoes and egg plants. Kumamoto is also rich in water resources, with the water supply for Kumamoto City’s 680,000 residents being covered almost 100% by groundwater reserves. With its wealth of produce and water resources, Kumamoto is also a paradise for the production of delicious alcoholic beverages, including many types of the spirit shochu, most famous of which is Kuma Shochu, as well as sake and wine.
Many semiconductor and automobile manufacturing companies have also located in the prefecture, and with the completion of the Kyushu Shinkansen express train in March 2011, linking Kumamoto with Hakata and Kagoshima, we are engaged in a variety of future-oriented projects and activities.
I hope very much that all participants will be able to enjoy the various attractions that Kumamoto has to offer during their stay. I look forward to providing a warm welcome to everyone in October 2010.
Seishi Kohyama
Mayor of Kumamoto City
It is my privilege to welcome the world’s cutting edge researchers to our city for the 15th International Congress of the World Muscle Society. On behalf of the citizens of Kumamoto city I would like to warmly welcome you all and thank you for allowing our city to host this event.
Kumamoto City is a city blessed with abundant nature located in the south of Japan. To the east lies the largest volcano caldera on earth at Mount Aso; to the west stretches the bountiful Ariake Sea. One of the blessings that nature has given us is our cool, clean groundwater. This groundwater provides all of our 680,000 citizens with clean tap water and was selected by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 Exquisite and Well-conserved Waters of Japan and is highly appreciated.
In addition, we are also proud to possess one of the three most famous feudal castles in Japan, Kumamoto Castle, which had the highest number of visitors of all the castles in Japan in 2008.
Since the founding of Kumamoto University, there have been a great many medical and research organizations created in our city. By hosting this international conference we believe that with the medical and research staff members and a variety of individuals from different areas, the members of this conference can touch the foremost line on muscle disorders and make great contributions to the development of life sciences.
We are pleased to welcome guests and customers from over 30 different countries. Please enjoy yourselves and our city during your stay.
We look forward to your visit in October of 2010.
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