On behalf of the Japanese Society of Echocardiography (JSE), I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the thoughtful message we have received from the ASE regarding the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011. The 9.0-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami left the nation in shock. People in the devastated area are going through the toughest time and trying very hard to find the courage to restart their lives. Those who were not directly affected are working together to support them in every possible way. Thanks to rescue efforts by domestic and international teams, we have started to see improvements in the situation; however, we have been overwhelmed by new problems with this disaster. There is a long road ahead for Japan to recover and rebuild our country. I believe Japan will overcome this national crisis with patience and solidarity. Again, thank you very much for your encouragement.

JSE is a professional organization of physicians, cardiac sonographers, and scientists involved in the use of ultrasound for evaluation of the cardiovascular system. JSE had grown to about 4,800 members since its founding by Dr. Junichi Yoshikawa in 1989. He envisioned an organization which could contribute to the promotion of human health by supporting cardiovascular ultrasound science, providing academic opportunities to learn patient care using ultrasound, and achieving a high level of cardiovascular health care and research. Since its founding, there have been great contributions to bring JSE to what it is today: Dr. Kunio Miyatake, the second president, made tremendous progress in strengthening educational aspects and Dr. Shintaro Beppu, the third president, avidly promoted interactive communications with international societies.

JSE has played an important role in promoting echocardiography across the country. In order to provide the world’s highest-level of echocardiography, JSE holds the annual scientific sessions in the spring, where physicians and sonographers gather from all over Japan to present original research and exchange views. In the summer, Echo Kobe takes place in Kobe. JSE invites prominent cardiologists from domestic and international institutions to provide a unique opportunity to learn the latest in echocardiography. In the autumn, there is another meaningful educational meeting in Tokyo. And JSE’s winter program is designed mainly for sonographers or beginning echocardiographers; thus more hands-on or live demonstrations are included to respond to the need to develop practical echocardiography skills. In addition, JSE publishes the Journal of Echocardiography quarterly to present high quality research.

JSE also provides its certification service to acknowledge outstanding sonographers who pass the examination and successfully complete the JSE certification program. This program has been attracting much attention since it was established six years ago, and the number of JSE-certified cardiovascular sonographic specialists is gradually increasing. Those who perform echocardiographic examinations daily in the clinical setting have been motivated to improve their technical skills and to cultivate their expertise.

JSE enjoys active exchanges with domestic and international cardiovascular ultrasound organizations, especially with the ASE and the European Association of Echocardiography (EAE). Guest speakers from our respective organizations are invited to one another’s annual scientific sessions. JSE’s members are inspired and stimulated by attending international scientific sessions and experiencing world-class echocardiography.

Echocardiographic examinations should be carried out by skilled sonographers and physician echocardiographers so that accurate and readily comprehensible reports of the findings can be provided promptly to the referring physicians. A survey on the state of routine echocardiographic examinations in Japan showed that in about 30 to 120 cases, examinations are performed daily at major institutions such as university hospitals. The examinations were performed by sonographers alone in about three-fourths of the institutions surveyed. In 10% of the institutions, examinations were performed by physicians and sonographers in roughly equal proportions. Physicians alone carried out most of the examinations in about 10% of the institutions, and all the examinations in a very few institutions.

The progress of technology and science in echocardiography during the last half century has been remarkable, resulting in its establishment as an indispensable diagnostic tool in clinical cardiology. Furthermore, echocardiography is less expensive than other diagnostic imaging methods; given that, there is no doubt that its important and will increase. Raising academic level and international awareness is essential to provide better echocardiographic evaluation leading to better clinical outcomes.

JSE must continue to grow to promote excellence in academic research development, clinical practice, and technical improvement in cardiovascular ultrasound. JSE’s first challenge is to develop a world-wide educational system to foster world-standard physicians and sonographers specializing in echocardiography. Establishment of guidelines for echocardiography would be a potential need for improvement in technical skills and expansion of knowledge. Besides, JSE hopes to enhance the international recognition of its journal as a source of information on the latest in echocardiography.

The second challenge is the establishment of a short-term exchange study program to encourage its members to study overseas. JSE funds a scholarship to support those who are willing to put themselves among colleagues with the same spirit from all over the world and engage in wide variety of research studies to achieve their professional goals and to contribute to the future of echocardiography.

The third challenge is to foster specialists among physicians fully competent in echocardiography. Following the successful establishment of the certified sonographer program, a similar program for physicians is duly awaited to provide an opportunity to improve their skill levels and to acquire profound insights and useful information in clinical cardiology. In addition to such well organized programs, small-scale training sessions will help reduce technical disparities between institutions and raising the overall level of echocardiography nationwide.

Further development of collaborative relationships with overseas institutions is crucial to raise academic levels of Japanese institutions. The fourth challenge is the establishment of the Asian Society of Echocardiography. In addition to the importance of strengthening relationships with ASE and EAE, JSE looks forward to advanced communications with institutions in Asian countries such as China, India, and South Korea.

Lastly, JSE will promote the utility of echocardiography. Echocardiography has a pivotal importance in the practice of patient-friendly medical treatment. JSE will continue to support academic and clinical developments in echocardiography.