President's Message
GreetingsUndoubtedly, all of you are aware of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that occurred on 11 March in northeastern Japan. Damage from the tsunami resulted in the release of a large amount of radioactivity from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, which is located about 250 kilometers (150 miles) north of Tokyo. Although the plant has yet to be fully stabilized, the release of radioactivity peaked five days after the earthquake. Today, the level is much lower, and we are all expecting a speedy resolution of the situation.
On the day of the earthquake, Professor Kawasaki was unable to return home and spent the night in his office sleeping in a makeshift “bed” made of KD papers and other documents. One month later, I met him and asked his views on the IKDS. He said that this was a perfect opportunity for Japan to show its underlying strengths, and I wholeheartedly agree.
It has been decided that the 10th IKDS will be held, as originally planned, in February 2012. Kyoto is located approximately 750 kilometers from Fukushima, and if we are fortunate it will be covered by a picturesque blanket of snow. We made this decision in order to stimulate further progress in KD research and to provide visible support to KD patients, their families, and their doctors. I have informed the AHA Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young of our decision, and it has been approved. We wish to make this an event that will inspire the Japanese people and spur further advances in KD research and treatment, and it is our earnest hope that all of you will take part.
See you in Kyoto!
Tsutomu Saji
Chairman of the Organizing Committee
The 10th International Kawasaki Disease Symposium
(Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Toho University Omori Medical Center)
