As of February 23, 2024, I have succeeded Dr. Ishioka as the president of the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO). This is my second stint in steering the society after 4 years. Cancer medicine has greatly changed in this period. Precision medicine based on cancer genomic panel testing and cancer immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint inhibitors became popular across different cancer types, necessitating the implementation of a cross-specialty system in cancer medicine. Unfortunately, anti-cancer drug therapy in Japan has historically been conducted in an organ-specific manner. To overcome this limitation, JSMO will expand its activities in a cross-specialty manner.

JSMO was originally established as a group of medical oncologists in 1993 and reorganized as a society in 2002 to propel clinical and translational research, educate medical oncologists in training, and establish medical oncology as a distinct section in universities and large hospitals. JSMO was approved as a Public Interest Incorporated Association in 2015 and is obliged to perform its activities for the purpose of public interest.

As the president of JSMO, I will dedicate myself to achieve the society’s mission of contributing to public welfare through the improvement of cancer treatments and ensure that JSMO continues to engage in various business activities in collaboration with its members, cancer patients and their families, industries, governments, as well as domestic and foreign cancer societies, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO). I look forward to your contributions to JSMO’s activities.

President, Board of Directors, JSMO
Hironobu Minami