GREETINGS

Dear Colleagues,

We are honored to hold the 70th Annual Congress of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology（JSOG）in Sendai from the 11th to 13th May in 2018. We deeply thank all JSOG members for providing us with this great opportunity.

Sendai is the birth place of the JSOG annual congress. In April 1949, the first congress of JSOG was held at Tohoku University Central Auditorium. At this congress, two OG societies that had been divided into the east and the west decided to integrate into one nationwide society and the academic meeting of the year was regarded as the first annual congress of JSOG. Since then, the 36th and the 50th congresses were held in Sendai.

The venue is the same Sendai International Center as that of the 50th congress. A large exhibition building that was not present 20 years ago has been installed, and it is now much more convenient. The Sendai subway Tozai（East-West）Line opened two years ago, and International Center Station is directly connected to the venue. By subway, it takes only 5 minutes from Sendai station and 3 minutes from the center of the city to the venue, respectively.

As is well-known, The Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster caused enormous damage to the Tohoku area in March 2011. The areas along the Pacific Coast in particular are still undergoing restoration due to the enormous damage not only from the earthquake, but also from the tsunami and the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima. In the year, JSOG provided support by sending doctors to the hospitals at Ishinomaki, Kesennuma and Miyako, which were among the most severely damaged areas by the tsunami. JSOG continues to send doctors to the hospitals in Fukushima, which are still struggling with the contamination from the nuclear power plant accident, based on requests from Tohoku JSOG. I deeply appreciate the kind support on behalf of all the obstetricians and gynecologists in the Tohoku area. To respond to that support we have received from all over the country, we have been making every effort to develop substantial programs and manage the congress operation effectively.We hope to create a new experience at the 70th congress and it will be a great opportunity to deliver the message “Tohoku is back!”

The clear stream of the Hirose River flows through downtown Sendai. Matsushima, one of the three most scenic views of Japan, is located nearby, and the mountain Zao is also a half-day’s trip away. There are many famous hot springs within 30 minutes’ trip by car. The city of Sendai has one of the foremost natural environments in Japan. In addition, you will be able to enjoy a day trip to Hiraizumi, a World Heritage. We hope the JSOG Sendai meeting will be a fruitful experience for you, and your stay throughout the meeting will be enjoyable.

Nobuo Yaegashi M.D., Ph.D.
Congress President of the 70th Annual Congress of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology