Message

Dear Colleagues

It is a great pleasure and honor for me and all the staff of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Fukui to host this meeting and welcome you to Fukui. As President, I will organize the 6th Japan-Russia Neurosurgical Symposium (6th JRNS), being held May 20–22, 2018 at the Grandia Housen ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel) located at Fukui Awara-Onsen Hot Spring Resort. (http://www.japanican.com/en/hotel/detail/5372004/).

The first commemorative meeting of RJNS was held in 2008 in St. Petersburg, one of the most beautiful venues in Russia, and was organized by Professor Bersnev. The second meeting was held by Professor Hori in 2010, the third in Novosibirsk by Professor Krivoshapkin in 2012, the fourth in Hiroshima by Professor Kurisu in 2014, and the fifth and latest meeting was held in Kazan by Professor Konovalov in 2016. JRNS has grown into an event with a long history and traditions. We also have developed close collaborative scientific relationships between the two countries. Now, our collaboration has become the strongest of all our professional relationships.

Professor Kurisu organized the 4th JRNS meeting in Hiroshima, immediately following the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Neurosurgical Society in Tokyo. Because he arranged an excellent scientific program and an exciting social program at the meeting, Russian participants were able to develop a good understanding of the level of Japanese neurosurgery and fully savor the views and ambience of autumn in Hiroshima.

Thanks to the outstanding kindness of President Jun Takahashi, Russian participants will be able to join a two-day round table at the 38th Annual meeting of the Japanese Congress of Neurological Surgeons (JCNS) in Osaka. Many Russian participants in the meeting will also be able to enjoy the sights of Osaka.

The program in Fukui will consist of topics covering all fields of neurosurgery and neuroscience. We will discuss cerebrovascular disease, brain tumor, diseases of the spine and peripheral nerves, trauma, functional disorders, congenital and pediatric diseases, and basic neuroscience. This meeting will offer the participants excellent opportunities to understand the similarities and differences in our respective ways of performing neurosurgery. We hope this meeting will promote cooperation and friendship.

Fukui is a small city located near the center of Japan. It is famous for its beautiful coastal and mountain landscapes, delicious seafood, good Japanese sake, and the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. We will also arrange a social program that will allow you to fully savor the springtime views, ambience, and cuisine of Fukui.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we look forward to seeing you at the 6th JRNS next May.

Sincerely,

Ken-ichiro Kikuta, M.D., Ph.D.