On the 50th Anniversary of the Japan Shoulder Society
The Japan Shoulder Society was founded in 1974 as the “Shoulder Research Society,” which became the “Japan Shoulder Society” in 1991. It celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2014 when it became a general incorporated association. On this occasion, the 40th anniversary website was opened to the public, and the history and background of our society, which has the longest history of any shoulder society in the world, were posted. The following is an excerpt from the opening remarks by Dr. Kazuya Tamai, Second President of the Japan Shoulder Society, on the 40th anniversary of the society: “Over the past 40 years, many of our predecessors have overcome various difficulties and established shoulder surgery in Japan. However, the memories and materials related to these efforts have gradually been lost over time. Therefore, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary, we decided to establish this website to record the history of shoulder surgery in Japan for future generations. The website contains information on the evolution of society from its founding to the present, international exchanges, past scientific meetings, and deceased honorary members. We hope that this website will provide members with an opportunity to reflect on the history of the Japan Shoulder Society and consider how to move forward over the next 10 to 20 years.”
Now, let us look back at the past 10 years since the 40th anniversary. Since becoming a general incorporated association in 2014, the first president of the Japan Shoulder Society was Dr. Eiji Itoi, the second was Dr. Kazuya Tamai, the third was Dr. Yozo Shibata, the fourth was Dr. Hiroyasu Ikegami, and I have been serving as the fifth president since October 2022. First, Dr. Eiji Itoi explained in detail about our incorporation as a general incorporated association on August 1, 2014, which was not mentioned much in the 40-year history. One of the most significant changes in the past decade was the introduction of reverse shoulder prostheses in Japan. Although reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) was introduced last in developed and major Asian countries, all members of society agree that it has provided immeasurable benefits over the past 10 years. Furthermore, the Japanese Society of Shoulder Function Research Steering Committee was established as a standing committee, and the Japanese Society of Shoulder Function Research, which was established in 2004, was reorganized under the Japan Shoulder Society. The Terminology Committee was established as a permanent committee in 2022. In addition to the contents of the 40-year history, topics of the past 10 years are described in detail, including the subsequent development and positioning of the Asian Shoulder and Elbow Association and international changes following the COVID-19 disaster. We hope that members of the society will deepen their understanding of the Japan Shoulder Society, which has the world’s oldest history, through this website and contribute to the future progress of shoulder surgery in Japan and worldwide, thereby creating a new history.
August 11, 2024
President of the Japan Shoulder Society
Hiroyuki Sugaya