From the Japanese Association of Medical Sciences The Japanese Pharmacological Society Latest News From the Japanese Pharmacological Society JMAJ 56(3): 206–207, 2013 Hiroshi IWAO*1 Special lecture by Professor Shinya Yamanaka (83rd Annual Convention of the Japanese Pharmacological Society in March 2010) The Japanese Pharmacological Society was estab- lished in 1927 to promote the development and awareness of pharmacology. It became a public interest incorporated association in 2012 and (Adjunct Professor, Tokyo Women’s Medical marked its 86th anniversary this year. It has University, Emeritus Professor, Tsukuba Uni- approximately 5,000 members. The society holds versity and Kyoto University) for the discovery seven scientific meetings a year—one general of endothelin and the oxidized LDL receptor assembly and six regional meetings—and pub- through molecular pharmacological analysis of lishes two academic journals each month: the vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi (Folia Pharmacologica 2nd recipient (2008): Professor Shinya Yama- Japonica) in Japanese and the Journal of Phar- naka (Director of the Center for iPS Cell Re- macological Science (JPS) in English. In recent search and Application, Institute for Integrated years, the number of papers submitted from Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University) for the other Asian countries to the JPS has reached establishment of pluripotential stem cells from about 40% while the overall number of submis- the initialization of somatic cells. sions from outside Japan has reach about 50%, 3rd recipient (2009): Professor Kazuhide highlighting the journal’s internationalization. Inoue (Department of Molecular and System In 2018 the society, under Chairman Shu Naru- Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceu- miya, will co-host with the Japanese Society of tical Sciences, Kyushu University) for neuro- Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics the pharmacological research on the physiological World Conference of Basic and Clinical Pharma- functions of ATP receptors. cology (WorldPharma 2018) in Kyoto. 4th recipient (2010): Professor Masayoshi In 2007, the society established the Setsuro Mishina (Department of Molecular Neurobiol- Ebashi Award in commemoration of the vision- ogy and Pharmacology, Graduate School of ary international research of Dr. Setsuro Ebashi. Medicine, the University of Tokyo) for research This award is given to a member of the society into glutamate receptors and brain function. who has conducted exceptional international 5th recipient (2011): Professor Shuh Naru- research. In 2008 it was given to Professor Shinya miya (Department of Neuro- and Cell Phar- Yama naka, a researcher who won the Nobel macology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2012. The University) for research into prostaglandin re- following are the past recipients, all of whom ceptors and low molecular weight G protein have made international achievements and con- Rho. tributed to the progress of pharmacology: 6th recipient (2012): Professor Masamitsu 1st recipient (2007): Professor Tomoh Masaki Iino (Department of Cellular and Molecular *1 President, The Japanese Pharmacological Society, Tokyo, Japan; Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka Japan ([email protected]). 206 JMAJ, May / June 2013 — Vol. 56, No. 3 LATEST NEWS FROM THE JAPANESE PHARMACOLOGICAL SOCIETY Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, I would also recommend to see the society’s the University of Tokyo) for research into the website (http://plaza.umin.ac.jp/JPS1927/english/ spatiotemporal dynamics and function of Ca2+ index.html) for details on its activities. signaling. JMAJ, May / June 2013 — Vol. 56, No. 3 207.