Welcome to Neuro2010

It is our pleasure to welcome you to Neuro2010, encompassing the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society (JNS), the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Neurochemistry (JSN), and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Neural Network Society (JNNS) at the Kobe Convention Center from Thursday, September 2, to Saturday, September 4, 2010.

We are working hard to expand this second joint convention of JNS, JSN, and JNNS in terms of both content and scale. Recent years have seen remarkable advancements in neuroscience as new methodologies and research paradigms are developed at every level of research, from molecules to genes, cells, neural networks, behavior, theories, and neuroscience development. Neuroscience is now rapidly growing beyond basic research in science, medicine, pharmacology, engineering, and agriculture to incorporate elements of the arts and social sciences. This is an exciting path that will leave a significant mark on society.

On June 23, 2009, the Brain Science Committee of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) published a report entitled Long-Term Outlook on the Framework and Policies of Brain Science Research: Building an Integrated Human Science and Contributing to Society as an advisory report to the Minister. “Integrated Human Science” refers to the overarching goal of neuroscience research - that is, attaining a comprehensive understanding of human nature through collaboration with the arts and humanities - while “Contributing to Society” emphasizes the practical application of fundamental research.

On another note, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization has conducted two surveys entitled Survey Project on the Expansion of Neuroscience into Industry (2007) and Survey Project on Brain Function Measurement Devices as an Investment for Bringing Neuroscience into Industry (2008). The organization concluded the reports with a statement of the importance of applying neuroscience to industry and proposed solutions to challenges the neuroscience field will face. This trend, occurring in academia as well as in science and technology policy, forms the backdrop of our joint convention and its theme of “Impact of Neuroscience to Society.”

Hosted by Japan’s three leading neuroscience societies - the Japan Neuroscience Society, the Japanese Society for Neurochemistry, and the Japanese Neural Network Society - Neuro2010 embodies a new, integrated approach to neuroscience. We are planning to provide more extensive programs, complete with plenary lectures, symposiums, and poster sessions. This joint convention offers a new way to hold scientific meetings that has great potential to generate a new dynamic in neuroscience not only in Japan, but also in Asia and other developing countries. We will be inviting many Japanese and international neuroscience researchers and medical professionals to speak at the convention.

Kobe is conveniently accessible by public transportation, including by Shinkansen bullet train (Shin-Kobe Station) and air (Itami and Kobe Airports). We are looking forward to meeting you in Kobe, a city known for its exotic atmosphere.