Japanese Society of Biomechanics

Greeting from President of the Japanese Society of Biomechanics

Prof. Shinji Sakurai, Chukyo University 

We have a new board of directors starting in fiscal year 2021. My name is Shinji Sakurai, Chairman.

COVID-19 is changing the world even more drastically. Academic research, education, and academic activities have also been greatly affected. The Japanese Society of Biomechanics is of course no exception. It seems as if this is a particularly difficult time. However, this is probably not the case, and I believe that there will be no “calm years” from now on.

The Japanese Society of Biomechanics is based on the “Kinesiology Study Group,” a small group started by about 20 people interested in “physical kinesiology” at the 1957 Congress of the Japan Society of Physical Education, which has now become an academic society with more than 1,000 members. In 1978, it was renamed the Japanese Society of Biomechanics and became an independent society, while maintaining its aspect as a specialized area of the Japan Society of Physical Education (now the Japan Society of Physical Education, Sports and Health).

In the past few years, during the term of former President Chiroyuki Fukashiro, major reforms were made in the organization and management of the society. These include the modification of the rules for electing officers and the consequent renewal and rejuvenation of officers; a review of the editorial policy, editorial board members, and publication method of the journal “Biomechanics Research”; the creation of a new format of study groups called “Comet Plaza”; and a change from holding the annual conference every other year to holding the conference annually.

However, since its inception as the “Kinesiology Research Society,” the main subject of research for the Japanese Society of Biomechanics and its members has consistently been human beings and their movements. We are dealing with very multifaceted and complex issues. In particular, when we study development, aging, and training, or how humans change, or how we can change them, we must be particularly patient and persistent.

Even in these difficult times, I look forward to working with you, our members, to make some inroads into this supremely exciting subject of research that interests us all. Thank you in advance for your support.