Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology - "JSAEZ, toward the sustainable human society"

2007-2008 President: Prof. KUNIMI Yasuhisa

Lab. Biological Control, Fac. Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

I am honoured to be assuming the position of President, taking over from previous President Sadahiro Tatsuki, for a period of 2 years starting this year. I intend to devote myself to this work at the helm of the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology, which enjoys a long tradition. I look forward to your cooperation with our concerted efforts for the ongoing development of this Society.

The Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology was founded in 1957, giving it a long history of 51 years. During this time, thanks to the unstinting efforts of so many pioneering supporters, it has made steady progress. The Society has stayed active through a policy of instituting reforms in response to changing times while maintaining democratic management. I intend to hold fast to the fine traditions of this institution in undertaking its activities.

The Society's activities in the last period centred around 5 executive divisions: (1) establishing reforms and further development of the Society; (2) financial reform; (3) raising member awareness; (4) social contribution; and (5) 50-year anniversary planning. In regard to the executive divisions for this period, for issues arising from (1) to (4), I would like to consider some problems that were not able to be resolved by the previous executive divisions.

With regard to reform of the Society, I believe that raising the level of recognition for the journal Applied Entomology and Zoology is important. Last November, for this journal monthly hits exceeded 15,000 on the J-STAGE , indicating a steady increase, but I believe that it is important to raise levels of recognition even further through reform of this journal, making it a journal above and beyond Impact Factor 1.

With regard to financial reform, I would like to consider moving ahead with increases in membership fees and modification of the membership system, but I also believe that the opinions of all members and committee members should first be heard. This Society, thanks to tireless efforts up to this point by the executive divisions and the main office, has kept operating without any increase in membership fees for a long time, but for the last few years, the figures on each single-year basis have been approaching the red. Without supporters' donations and scientific research support funds, there is a very real danger that the Society would immediately fall into debt on a large scale. For the sake of stable operation of the Society, we have no choice but to raise membership fees. I would like to address this problem, along with various considerations of the membership system.

With regard to raising member awareness, the previous executive division made great efforts, such as improving the Society website, sending out announcement mails, and so on. In this period, while still emphasizing the importance of these ongoing efforts, I believe we should work toward improved communication of intent between our executive divisions and our members.

With regard to social contribution, this Society has not up to this point pro-actively attempted to address this area. However, given last year's marked move away from the sciences, and with fewer young people now collecting insects, I believe that as an academic Society it is important for us to communicate the attraction of entomological study to young people. Furthermore, for the general public and the mass media too, I believe that it is essential to convey the mission of applied entomology and zoology via symposiums and conferences held by this Society.

Last year, following the large-scale restructuring of the Science Council of Japan, the previous 8-section system shifted over to 3 divisions: the Humanities Division, the Life Sciences Division, and the Scientific & Engineering Division. The Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology is active in the Life Sciences Division, but I believe it is still important to emphasize the importance of applied entomology and zoology to the main division, which centers on the field of medicine. I regret that there is a lack of understanding of applied entomology and zoology, both by the general public and by the scientific community and this field still does not receive adequate recognition. Last year, an Applied Entomology Sub-Committee was established under the Agricultural Production Committee, and debate commenced regarding the future prospects for applied entomology in Japan. I believe that it is essential for the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology, in coordination with other associated bodies, to thus contribute to the development of applied entomology in Japan.

Understanding and cooperation from our members is essential in order to resolve these many issues. I look forward to all Society members actively sharing their valuable opinions on these matters.