Message from the President

Takeshi Osawa,
Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki

In September 2023, I was appointed President of the Society for Reproduction and Development (SRD). The SRD has a long history. It was founded in 1948 as the 'Society for the Study of Livestock Reproduction', renamed the 'Society for Livestock Reproduction' in 1986 and the 'Society for Reproduction and Development' in 1995. It has developed while building and deepening the discipline based on reproductive science and integrating it with peripheral disciplines such as biology, developmental engineering, animal husbandry, medicine and veterinary science. In February 2016, the Society evolved into General Incorporated Association Society for Reproduction and Development, and in September 2017 into Public Interest Incorporated Association Society for Reproduction and Development.

The Society is supported by a large number of internationally active members. We will continue to demonstrate the Society's presence while deepening cooperation with related societies of reproductive biology and reproductive science in the world, and strive to manage the Society in a way that is attractive to our members. At the same time, as a public interest incorporated association, we will continue our activities as an organization that can contribute to communities. In order to fulfil the Society's mission, I will work together with the Board of Directors and Council member on various initiatives.

At the 116th Annual Meeting in Kobe, I presented the following eight activity guidelines as the "Eight SRD 2023 Rokko Strategies". The key to all of them is the improvement of communication skills.

1. Make JRD a more attractive journal
The Journal of Reproduction and Development (JRD), an academic journal published by the Society, has its origins in the Journal of Livestock Reproduction, first published in 1955, and is now an open journal on reproductive biology that disseminates research papers worldwide and is recognized as an international journal. The JRD is one of the symbols of the high research level of the Society's members. Under the efforts of the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board members, we are organizing an Editorial board consisting of more diverse editorial board members than ever before. The aim is to further internationalize the journal and make it even more attractive to members and researchers worldwide. JRD（https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/jrd/）

2. Strengthening cooperation with overseas societies on reproductive biology and animal reproduction
Thanks to the efforts of many predecessor members, SRD has organized joint symposia with Asian countries such as Korea, China and Thailand, and with Poland. SRD has also organized joint symposia with the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR; USA), the Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB; Australia) and the Society for Reproduction and Fertility (SRF; UK). The 4th International Congress of Reproductive Biology (The World Congress of Reproductive Biology: WCRB2017 in Okinawa) was organized and was a success. Subsequently, the Chinese Society for Reproductive Biology (CSRB; China), the Korean Society for Animal Reproduction and Biology (KSARB; South Korea), the Thai Society for Animal Reproduction (TSAR; Thailand) also joined the 5th International Society for Reproductive Biology in Beijing in September 2023 after a three-year postponement due to the COVID19 pandemic. In the future, we will strive to strengthen our cooperation with these societies on reproductive biology, actively disseminate the excellent research results of our members through this network to further enhance the presence of SRD and ensure that the latest information from overseas reaches our members as quickly as possible.

3. For the success of the ICAR 2026 Obihiro
The International Congress on Animal Reproduction (ICAR), founded in 1948, is held every four years in a different host country in the world. The last Congress (19th Congress) was held in Bologna, Italy, in June 2022. The 20th Congress will be held in Obihiro, Japan, in June 2026, co-hosted by SRD, with Professor Akio Miyamoto as Chairperson and Dr. Kazuhiro Kikuchi as Secretary General. Following the WCRB2017 in Okinawa, SRD has set up an organizing committee consisting of members of the Society to make ICAR2026 in Obihiro a success, i.e. a place where many researchers in reproductive science-related fields from Japan and abroad can gather in Obihiro and exchange information on the latest research results. ICAR 2026 ( https://icar2026.jp )

4.Encouragement of study and training exchanges and group activities among members
The Future Plan Review Committee (chaired by Dr. Naoko Inoue) responded to a consultation by the late former President, Professor Kei-ichiro Maeda (2017) by: 1) organizing a camp-type seminar for young researchers; 2) reviewing the Best Presentation Award; 3) changing the format of poster presentations; 4) organizing open symposia; 5) organizing educational talks; 6) implementing the President's proposal; 7) revising the textbook "Reproductive Biology"; 8) renewal of the webpage of the Society; and 9) collaboration with related societies by holding joint seminars and symposiums. All these nine proposals were implemented thanks to the efforts of the former Executive Committee and the members of the relevant committees. We will continue to support initiatives to increase laboratory visits among members, including in-country study and short-term training programs. We will also encourage group activities consisting of several research teams with similar objectives. For example, the Cattle Fertility Improvement Group, set up by then President Maeda, has been established within the SRD as a so-called 'subcommittee'. We are also looking forward to the start of group activities in other fields.

5. Promoting and strengthening the diversity of its members
SRD has been leading the management of the society with the policy of making the society a place where all members, regardless of gender or nationality, can play an active role in academia, with "diversity" as an important keyword. We see diversity as a driving force for innovation in academia and society, and we will continue to carry on the importance of being a diverse academic society and further strengthen this policy to become an academic society in which all members can play an active role.

6. Strengthening cooperation between industry and academia (also paying attention to compliance and research ethics)
Needless to say, academic societies are not only for researchers. As a public interest organization, the Society needs to be even more aware of this. Cooperation with industry in applied and clinical fields, as well as in basic research, leads to a commitment to society. We will promote an increase in the number of members and supporting members from industry and promote initiatives to accept donations from companies, organizations and individuals. While disseminating research results, we intend to ensure that various voices from industry and society in general are heard. At the same time, while SRD seeks opinions from industry, we intend to define our compliance as an academic society and provide an opportunity for our members to deepen their understanding of our code of ethics.

7. Support for the next generation
SRD continues to support young people. The immediate Past President, Professor Hiroko Tsukamura, as the first chairperson of the Committee for the Encouragement of Young Researchers, organized the Symposium for Young Researchers, which continues to be one of the main features of the annual meeting to this day, and is a proud feature of SRD. Through public lectures and online public symposia, we have also selected topics that will attract the interest of many junior and senior high school students in the field of reproductive biology. While continuing this, in the future we would like to focus on university students before they enter the specialization. For example, we would like to invite first- and second-year students enrolled in undergraduate courses to SRD scientific meetings to give them an opportunity to experience the excitement of reproductive science.

8. Strengthening science communication
As a public interest organization, it is very important for us to play a social role in raising interest in science among the general public, especially the next generation. So far, the Society has been trying to revitalize its public relations activities. In order for many people to understand research trends and the future of science, the Society itself needs to make the world of reproductive biology more accessible to them through various media. To achieve this, in addition to the conventional public relations activities for members, the Society has established a new officer for Science Communication, believing that it would be effective to assign a person in charge of communicating the results of research in reproductive biology to the general public outside the Society in an easy-to- understand manner. By strengthening our science communication capabilities, we will further strengthen our social role as a public interest organization. As the current Public Relations officer's scope of work has grown, the Science Communication officer will also liaise with the Public Relations, Editorial and Program Committees to enhance SRD's ability to communicate to society.

Reproduction is the basis of all life. SRD hopes to demonstrate its value as a place where people can experience the excitement of coming into contact with this mystery, the joy of being involved in related studies, and a place for communication and networking with others who are trying to contribute to a sustainable natural environment and human society through research. We are waiting to hear from our members and from the general public. Please feel free to contact us at any time. Together with you, let's make SRD grow even further!