Dear Citizen and Friends,

It is my great pleasure to welcome everyone to the first workshop of the IAA Asia-Pacific Regional Chapter (IAA-APRC). This workshop is particularly significant as it is the Chapter’s first official event since its establishment was formally approved in June 2026.

We are delighted to hold this event in Ōdate City, Akita Prefecture, an important habitat for the Japanese crayfish (Cambaroides japonicus), Japan’s only native crayfish species. For many years, Ōdate City has undertaken a variety of conservation initiatives to protect the Japanese crayfish and its habitats, including habitat restoration, captive breeding, distribution surveys, and environmental management. These efforts have contributed not only to the conservation of the Japanese crayfish but also to safeguarding the region’s freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity for future generations.

We sincerely thank Ōdate City, the Ōdate City Board of Education, all other parties involved, and the local community for their generous support in making it possible to hold this workshop at such an important conservation site.

We hope that this workshop will provide a valuable opportunity for researchers, government officials, conservation practitioners, and local communities across the Asia-Pacific region to share their knowledge and experience and discuss future directions for crayfish research and conservation. We also hope that this gathering will foster lasting cooperation across regional and national boundaries and serve as an important step toward developing the IAA-APRC into a leading network for freshwater crayfish research and conservation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Thank you once again for your participation and cooperation. We hope you have a meaningful and rewarding experience in Ōdate.

Seong-Nam Ham
Chair, Asia-Pacific Regional Chapter