JAPANESE SOCIETY OF TOXICOLOGIC PATHOLOGY
Message from the President

(Mitsumori) was elected as one of the Board of Directors for the Japanese Society of Toxicologic Pathology (JSTP) and will serve as the President of the JSTP for a three-year term from 2010.

The JSTP was established as an association with a relatively small number of core Japanese toxicologic pathologists in 1985, and then expanded to become a society in 1988. Since then, the JSTP has been growing continuously, and as of January 31, 2010, it is composed of 863 individuals and 49 corporate members, covering most of the Japanese toxicologic pathologists belonging to academic, regulatory and industrial fields.

The society has been dealing with the promotion of the scientific field of toxicologic pathology (by annual scientific meetings and publication of the Journal of Toxicologic Pathology), the quality certification of trained toxicologic pathologists (by the board certification system; Diplomate of JSTP) and the continuous education as well as training of not only young fellows but also diplomates (by annual slide conferences and annual education seminars). Under the able guidance of the past president, Dr. Masae Tatematsu, the Society has been engaged in reorganizing of the executive office and establishment of two additional committees (General Affairs and International Committees) to improve the efficacy of its organized function. The following standing and ad hoc committees have been set up to serve as an advisory panel to the Board of Directors:

Standing Committee: General Affair Committee; Board Certification Committee; Publication Committee; Education Committee; Membership Committee; Communication Committee; International Committee
Ad hoc Committee: Revision Committee for the Textbook edited by JSTP

Our members are actively contributing in Japan to the progress of biological sciences, and the development of new drugs, pesticides, and food additives. In addition, they are involved in making decisions for the risk assessment of these chemicals and environmental chemicals. Furthermore, the activities of the JSTP are not limited to Japan but are expanding internationally. The JSTP was a founding member society of the International Federation of Societies of Toxicologic Pathologists (IFSTP) and has been maintaining good relationships with toxicologic pathologists and/or their regional societies all over the world.

Taking into consideration that keen public attention has been paid to the safety and confidence for drugs and chemicals containing in food, we now need to step ahead our activities for public society to obtain more the social recognition of the importance of toxicologic pathology not only from the academia but also from the public society. We hope that each of the society members will positively participate in the activities of our organization, and also would like to continue our efficient operation to the service for our members during these 3 years.