After San Francisco Peace Treaty had been officially signed in 1952, Japan was allowed to rebuild as the independence country, a research group who were mainly by physician anesthetists started pain relief study in about 1955 when it was the end of the post-war turmoil.　The Pain Relief Center was established in the University of Tokyo Hospital in 1962 as a very first pain clinic in Japan. Since then, physicians who share a common interest have been exchanged and updated knowledge and procedures. In 1969, in order to spread the study of pain management to whole region of Japan, the very first convention was held a by ‘Pain Clinic Society of Japan’ in Tokyo.

Pain Clinic Society of Japan, which was officially developed from the research group in 1985, has been putting into action extensively and widely.　Ever since Pain Clinic Society of Japan was started, greater necessity of the pain clinic was recognized by nationwide in Japan so that the number of the Pain Clinic Society’s member of Japan have increased rapidly. Implementation of the pain clinic in Japan has been a numerous inspiration in worldwide. It is not an understatement that regional nerve blocks has been developed and settled genuine clinical treatment in Japan, which was advocated by an American anesthesiologist Dr. John J. Bonica.

There are a wide variety of studies and topics about pain treatment in recent years. Many of physicians and scientists grow into pain management from a broad range of fields. We know the fact that pain management is mandatory as in public necessities. Those trend are perceptible by just looking at a decade of the records of attendees at Annual Meetings of the Japan Society of Pain Clinicians.  After the concept of pain clinic was implemented in Japan about a half a century ago, 1970’s original pain clinic physicians ought to hand over the pathway to following Pain Clinicians.

Now, we are delighted to announce that the 50th anniversary of the Annual Meeting of the Japan Society of Pain Clinicians will be held at PASIFICO Yokohama, July 7 to 9, 2016. Main theme of the meeting is “Bridging the Past, Present and Future: What can we leave and pass on to the next generation”.

Kazuyuki Serada (Director of the Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital) is the President of the 50th Annual Meeting of Japan Society of Pain Clinicians. We are as the organizer, planning and exchanging ideas to make inspiring activities in the event.  In order to make this 50th ceremonial meeting as a positive and a prominent event, we are greatly appreciated for your participation as well as your generosity.