Welcome to the Japanese Society of Public Health
I would like to extend my greetings on the occasion of assuming the position of 20th President of the Japanese Association of Public Health.
The Japanese Association of Public Health is celebrating its 75th anniversary since its founding in 1951. As of July 1, 2025, the association has 9,967 regular members, 150 student members, and 253 associate members. While the number of regular members fluctuates by around 100 members each year, this number is still the largest in the field of social medicine in Japan.
The mission of the Society is to generate scientific evidence that contributes to the improvement and promotion of public health in Japan, to implement and evaluate public health activities based on that evidence, to make recommendations for policy, and to develop human resources through these efforts.
The Society has established over 20 committees and has been working to 1) strengthen public health human resource development and expand membership, 2) strengthen collaboration and cooperation with related academic societies and organizations, 3) promote public health research, 4) make policy recommendations and requests, 5) respond to internationalization, and 6) enhance diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI).
Five years have passed since the outbreak of the novel influenza pandemic, and thanks to the significant contributions made by our members through dedicated practical activities and academic research, the term "public health" has become a household name. Going forward, the Society's mission will continue to grow as it strives to meet the public's expectations for public health. In doing so, we will strengthen our efforts not only to address infectious diseases and health crisis management, but also to address various health issues in a super-aging society with a declining birthrate, global society (lifestyle-related diseases, cancer, geriatric diseases, etc.), short-term, medium-term, and long-term health issues caused by large-scale disasters, health problems caused by tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, elderly and child abuse, mental health issues such as suicide, and the decline in society's support functions, as well as various issues related to the measures and systems in the health, medical, and welfare fields that address these issues.
Japan, with the world's lowest birthrate and fastest-aging population, is confronting a variety of health issues not experienced by other countries. Therefore, Japan is, in a sense, anticipating the problems faced by Asian and African countries, where aging is progressing rapidly, and how we respond to these issues is attracting considerable attention from other countries. In this sense, the international expansion of our society's activities is an important mission. Regarding internationalization, we have promoted the International Participation Award at the Society's general meeting, presentations in English, and the holding of symposiums, and have invited approximately 10 young researchers from overseas each year. To further promote internationalization, we intend to promote collaboration and exchange with international societies, particularly in the Asian region.
Within Japan, we are leveraging the network of academic organizations and other societies we have cultivated to date, including the Japan Society of Social Medicine Specialists (8 societies, 6 organizations, and 4 affiliated societies), the National Council for Hygiene and Public Health Education, the National Liaison Council of Public Health-Related Academic Associations (30 societies), clinical medicine societies, international health and medical societies, and the Science Council of Japan. Furthermore, in collaboration with the National Institute for Health Risk Management, which launched in April 2025, we aim to further increase our membership and promote public health research and develop public health personnel by enhancing certified training (public health specialists, social medicine specialists, public health registered dietitians, etc.) at general meetings and other events. We will also issue appropriate policy recommendations, either independently or jointly with related societies and organizations.
I intend to carry out my responsibilities as chairman with the cooperation of all members, delegates, directors, and auditors.
We would appreciate your advice and support.
Augast 2025
Professor and Dr
National Institute for Health Risk Management, Bureau of International Medical Cooperation
Global Health Policy Research Center
Hiroyasu Iso