Message from the President

Satoshi Tashiro
President, the Japanese Radiation Research Society

Aiming for “Fun Science” and “Useful Science”

In June 2022, I assumed the position of President of the Japanese Radiation Research Society, an incorporated association with a history of over 60 years, and I am keenly aware of the weight of responsibility as President of this society, which addresses the socially very important issue of radiation effects research.

The Society was established in 1959 to promote radiation effects research by bringing together researchers in various fields, following the exposure of Japanese people to radiation from the 1954 U.S. hydrogen bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. In the study of radiation effects, it is necessary to combine ideas and research methods from various research fields to obtain composite knowledge, just as radiation biology was established as a cross-disciplinary fusion research by researchers in biology and physics. For this purpose, the society is a community of researchers from various fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, statistics, and environmental studies, and is one of the most advanced societies in the field of interdisciplinary research. Fusion research is a major characteristic of the society and a driving force for the creation of new science, so I believe it is necessary to further strengthen it in the future.

The demands of our society are changing with the times: 2025 will mark 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and 2026 will mark 15 years since the accident at the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. In 2025, 80 years will have passed since the atomic bombing, and in 2026, 15 years will have passed since the accident at the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The effects of low doses of radiation on the environment and the human body, which became a major issue for the general population, and risk communication between scientists and the general public have become major issues in radiation effects research. And with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February of this year and statements by politicians in various countries that they approve the use of nuclear weapons, we now have to consider from various angles the extremely difficult issue of "how we should respond to protect the general population in the event that nuclear weapons are used," which has rarely been considered before. We now have to consider from various angles the very difficult issue of "how to respond to protect the general public in the event of the use of nuclear weapons. It is precisely because we are facing such a difficult time that we, as researchers conducting radiation effects research, need to utilize our respective strengths and work together to advance our research.

The spread of the new coronavirus has had a major impact on the activities of society. For the 63rd Annual Meeting in 2020 and the 64th Annual Meeting in 2021, almost all programs were held on the web, making face-to-face interactions impossible. Under these circumstances, advances in online conferencing through Zoom and other means have contributed enormously to the efficiency of various meetings. Even at conferences, oral and poster presentations could be done online. However, direct interaction among researchers that took place "between sessions" was difficult. We recognize that "between sessions" is a very important opportunity for the society to trigger various collaborative and interdisciplinary research projects. Finally, social activities are gradually normalizing, and we are aiming to hold the 65th Annual Meeting in Osaka in September 2022, locally under the chairmanship of Seiji Kodama of Osaka Public University. We hope that all members, universities, research institutes, academic societies, ministries and agencies, and related companies will participate on-site and make the most of the "in-between session" time so that they can once again enjoy the pleasure of research through face-to-face communication.

Science may be divided into Curiosity driven science and Mission oriented science. Of course, both are necessary for the progress of science, but it is said that most of the major advances are due to the former. Radiation Research is a field that is strongly influenced by the latter, but we would like to support young (young at heart) researchers who are challenging Curiosity driven science and promote "fun science" by promoting interdisciplinary fusion research, which is one of our strengths. We also aim to be a society that promotes "useful science" by returning the results of research conducted in "fun science" to society. We would appreciate the support of our members, universities, research institutions, academic societies, ministries and agencies, and related companies.

June 30, 2022
Satoshi Tashiro, President

Charter of the Japanese Radiation Research Society

Basic Philosophy of the Society

The Japanese Radiation Research Society (hereafter referred to as “the Society”) is an academic organization that promotes interdisciplinary research in radiation science with the aim of elucidating the effects of radiation on the human body and the environment, understanding its mechanisms, and contributing to its utilization.

In 1954, many Japanese sailors were exposed to a radioactive fallout from the hydrogen bomb tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll in the waters near the test site. This led to a study of the effects of radiation on the human body, as well as the contamination of the environment and food by radioactive materials. It provided an opportunity for researchers from various fields to participate in discussions. Researchers discussed the need for a forum to share such knowledge and deepen the understanding of radiation, and thus, the Society was founded in 1959.

Human life would not be possible without the use of radiation, including in the medical field. Contrarily, it is also true that radiation has undesirable effects on living things. It was extremely significant that the Society was established in Japan, the only country in the world to have been exposed to radiation during a war. We aim for the Society to be a place for comprehensively understanding the theories on radiation in Japan, as well as a base for radiation science research and the dissemination of information to the people around the world.

The Society is a focal point for all researchers of radiation science. As an academic organization, it takes pride in its traditions and bears a heavy responsibility. The Japanese Radiation Research Society hereby establishes a code of conduct for the members of the Japanese Radiation Research Society with the aim of maintaining the diversity of Earth's ecology and environment through interdisciplinary radiation science research and enabling all humankind to enjoy an equally rich life.

Members Code of Conduct

We, the members of the Japanese Radiation Research Society:

⦁ shall conduct and discuss interdisciplinary research in radiation science and disseminate advanced research results based on the basic principles of democracy, autonomy, and openness in research;

⦁ shall respect each other's human rights by mutually interacting and actively participating in the Society’s activities, to create a deeply humane academic society;

⦁ shall reflect upon the history of radiation science research pioneered by our predecessors, further develop the results, and pass them on to future generations;

⦁ shall take pride in our work as Japanese scientists and deepen exchanges and cooperation with researchers around the world; and

⦁ shall aim for a fair and prosperous research life, valuing mutual spiritual solidarity, independent academic principles, and the pursuit of truth.

History

Beginnings of Research on Effects of Radiation

In August 1945, two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and in September, the Academic Society Liaison Association (the predecessor of the Science Council of Japan) established the Special Committee for the Investigation of the Effects of the Atomic Bomb and began concerted investigation and research. Although the results could not be published immediately because of the wishes of the U.S., they were finally published in 1953 as the “Atomic Bomb Casualty Investigation Report” (in three parts). The incident on March 1, 1954, when the crew of a Japanese fishing boat was exposed to the effects of a hydrogen bomb at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, provided an opportunity for Japan to make significant progress in its research on radiation effects. Twenty-three crew members of the tuna fishing boat “Daigo Fukuryu Maru (Lucky Dragon No. 5)” were exposed to the radioactive fallout from a U.S. hydrogen bomb test, and they developed acute radiation sickness. In response, the Science Council of Japan established the Special Committee on Radiation Effects Research (chaired by Masao Tsuzuki, Director of the Japan Red Cross Medical Center), consisting of about 80 experts from the basic research group, the medical research group, the biology research group, the fisheries research group, and the geophysics research group. They began to promote comprehensive research on the effects of radiation. In response to this, the Ministry　of　Education, Science, Sports and Culture allocated a special budget for the Special Research on Radiation in 1954. This research grant was continued for the next 10 years and played a major role in the development of radiation effects research in Japan and in expanding the base of researchers.

Founding of the Japanese Radiation Research Society

As research about the effects of radiation progressed, it became increasingly obvious that the problems caused by radiation on the human body and environment could not be solved unless researchers in specialized fields, with relatively fewer connections in the past, were brought closer together. From this perspective, more than a dozen volunteers got together and started discussions, and preparations were made to establish an academic society for the purpose of radiation effects research. Following this process, an inaugural meeting was held on July 2, 1959, in the auditorium of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tokyo, and the Japanese Radiation Research Society was established. Dr. Masao Tsuzuki was elected as the first president. In addition, the first research presentation was held at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo, from October 27 to 29 of the same year, and 86 presentations were made in total. Furthermore, the first Journal of Radiation Research was published in June 1960.

Membership

A person who wishes to become a member of the Society shall fill out the prescribed application form(https://www.jrrs.org/club/regist/) (in Japanese only), must be introduced by one of the regular members and submit it to the secretariat together with the membership fee.

⦁ Regular members: 10,000 JPY
⦁ Student members: 5,000 JPY
⦁ Overseas members: 50 USD
⦁ Supporting members (individual): 10,000 JPY (one unit)
⦁ Supporting members (group): 50,000 JPY (one or more units)

Notice：
The membership fees shall be paid every year at once by the end of the previous year (March 31 of each year).

Annual Meetings

https://www.jrrs.org/meeting/event.html　(in Japanese only)

Journal of Radiation Research

The Journal of Radiation Research (JRR) is an official journal of The Japanese Radiation Research Society (JRRS), and the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology (JASTRO).