Addresses by His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince (2008)

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of the Closing Plenary Session of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum(2008)

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince
on the Occasion of the Closing Plenary Session of the Fifth Annual Meeting
of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Kyoto International Conference Center, Japan

Your excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very pleased to participate with you all in the Closing Plenary Session of the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society Forum.

I am told that this year again, extremely animated discussions took place in the past three days here in Kyoto, amongst experts and leaders who gathered from around the globe. Let me pay deep respect to the efforts of the many people whose commitment made this forum possible.

In recent years, the developments in life sciences and information communication technologies, among others, have been remarkable. Humankind has benefited greatly from these developments and their applications have totally transformed the economy, society and even the way we live.

On the other hand, the challenges facing science and technology in its relation with nature and humankind are growing greater than ever, and they raise questions such as whether the development of science and technology is in harmony with the laws of nature, or whether the fruits of technological innovation are equally shared among peoples.

It is not easy immediately to give clear-cut answers to these questions. However, the cost of failing to seek answers is just too overwhelming, and the very survival of the human race could be endangered. The least we can say is that humankind should continuously mobilize its utmost wisdom in order to ensure that science and technology is used appropriately to provide a bright future for our precious planet earth.

This international forum has already gathered five times, and a substantial track record is being accumulated. I believe that this year's meeting has been fruitful in showing tremendous results in bringing solutions to many of the issues faced by humankind while largely contributing to opening new horizons of science and technology.

I conclude by expressing my heartfelt wish that this important initiative will provide a beacon to guide us toward the sound advancement of science and technology that will benefit us all.

Thank you.

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince of Japan
at the Eleventh World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery(2008)

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince of Japan
at the Eleventh World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery
September 2, 2008
National Convention Hall, Pacifico Yokohama

Distinguished participants and guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is an immense pleasure for me to attend the Eleventh World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery here in Yokohama, and to welcome so many participants from Japan and overseas.

This year's congress marks the eleventh gathering of what is the world's oldest international conference in the field of endoscopic surgery. It is also the first time for the conference to be held in Japan since the Fourth Congress, which was hosted in Kyoto fourteen years ago. I have heard that endoscopic surgery has since then made rapid progress, and that this spectacular progress is expected to open up new paths in surgery.

As you know, endoscopic surgery is a comparatively new medical science that was developed as a minimally invasive form of surgery, and it is already being broadly applied in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases and cancers. Today, it plays a vital role in our battle against the illnesses that plague humankind, and in maintaining good health. In fact, I myself underwent endoscopic treatment last year to have a polyp removed from my duodenum, and thus from a patient's point of view, I can attest to the amazing advances that have been made in endoscopic surgery. As such, I fervently hope that all the medical professionals attending this internationally momentous conference will engage in animated discussions on the theme of "Innovation for Surgical Endoscopy and Harmonization with Open Surgery."

In closing, I offer my heartfelt wish that this conference will bear fruitful results and that it will help to advance healthcare around the globe and that it will contribute to the wellbeing of humankind.

Thank you.

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of the ceremony celebrating the 50th meeting of the Japanese Society of Child Neurology and the International Symposium(2008)

Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of the ceremony celebrating the 50th meeting of the Japanese Society
of Child Neurology and the International Symposium
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Hotel Nikko Tokyo

Distinguished participants,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am most pleased to have the honor of attending this ceremony celebrating the 50th general meeting of the Japanese Society of Child Neurology and the International Symposium, which is being held here today with many participants from inside and outside Japan.

I have been told that the Japanese Society of Child Neurology was founded in 1961, making it one of the oldest academic societies worldwide related to pediatric neurology, with the goal of studying and discussing issues of development, and wide range of neurological disorders afflicting children. Since then, this meeting has been held annually with very educational and productive discussions leading to extraordinary global contributions to the field, and of this you can all be very proud.

The 21st century has been called "The Century of the Mind" and the health of the human mind needs to be protected. As a father, I am constantly amazed by the day-to-day changes in my own child, and enormous potential that children have. Children, with their remarkable development and unlimited possibilities require medical approaches different from those applied to adults. I hope that every single child will be treated as a precious treasure. I also hope that all children will be protected, cherished and raised in the best possible environment.

I am concerned with recent news of the shortage of doctors, especially pediatricians, in Japan. It is with great confidence that I understand that all those present today have fulfilled their mission for the children and their families. It is my wish that in the future the many children and their families without exception will be delivered from their troubles and illnesses and that they may then be able to live healthy lives.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere hope that this congress will produce fruitful results and lead to further clinical and research developments in child neurology, and thereby contribute to the well-being of humankind.

Thank you.