Message from the president Dr. Koshi Hashimoto

Executive Council of the JTA

Annual Meeting Record of the JTA

Special Committees of the JTA

Message from the president Dr. Koshi Hashimoto

President
Koshi Hashimoto

At the General Assembly held on November 29, 2025, I, Koshi Hashimoto of Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, assumed the position of the 8th President of the Japan Thyroid Association (JTA), succeeding Professor Tetsuya Tagami. It is a profound honor to have been elected to lead this distinguished society with its long history and rich tradition, and I am keenly aware of the weight of the responsibility entrusted to me.

Until now, I have served the Association as an appointed Councilor recommended by former President Professor Masanobu Yamada, working in the academic and international divisions. Thereafter, as an elected Councilor, I served as Executive Secretary under the leadership of former Presidents Professors Akira Hishinuma and Tetsuya Tagami. During this period, I also became a Council member of the Asia-Oceania Thyroid Association (AOTA), and currently have the privilege of serving as its Treasurer.

Furthermore, in my role as Executive Secretary, I established the Next-generation Committee of Thyroidologists in the Japan Thyroid Association (NexT-JTA) in 2023, with the mission of nurturing and supporting young clinicians and researchers committed to advancing thyroid science in Japan. I extend my deepest gratitude to all members for their unwavering support and cooperation.

Mission and Activities of the Japan Thyroid Association（JTA）

The Japan Thyroid Association (JTA) is an academic society dedicated to the advancement of thyroidology, promoting academic meetings, international exchange, and the training of researchers and outstanding clinicians. Its core activities include:

• Research, investigation, and education related to thyroidology
• Organization of academic meetings, educational workshops, and seminars
• Publication of official journals and academic books
• Accreditation activities for thyroid specialists and training facilities
• Collaboration with related domestic and international societies and organizations
• Other initiatives necessary to fulfill the Society’s mission

Founded in May 1958, the first annual meeting—the Thyroid Research Conference—was hosted in Kyoto by Professor Tadashi Miyake of Kyoto University. Since then, annual meetings have been held throughout Japan under the leadership of universities and thyroid-specialized hospitals.

The Thyroid Research Division became a subspecialty society of the Japan Endocrine Society in May 1980, was renamed the Japan Thyroid Association (JTA) in October 1996, and, under the guidance of former President Professor Masanobu Yamada, transitioned into a general incorporated association in October 2020.

In 2025, thanks to the tremendous efforts of former Presidents Professors Hishinuma and Tagami, the JTA achieved its long-held aspiration of joining the Japanese Association of Medical Sciences. Our membership has now surpassed 3,000 members.

With unwavering dedication, I intend—true to my given name, “Kōshi,” meaning “to contribute”—to devote myself fully to the advancement of our Association and thyroidology in Japan.

Primary Aspirations as President

1. Building a Sustainable and Ever-Evolving Society

The future of the JTA rests with its younger members. We must continue to attract promising young physicians and researchers, encouraging them to pursue careers in thyroidology. We will strengthen support for NexT-JTA and foster the next generation of leaders, including recipients of the Young Investigator Awards (YIA). A particular goal is to cultivate new professors of thyroidology, a field now endangered in many universities.

2. Advancement of the JTA Specialist Certification System

Because thyroid disorders require multidisciplinary expertise—including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, radiology, nuclear medicine, pathology, otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, endocrine surgery, and obstetrics/gynecology—the JTA Specialist Certification serves as a unique lifelong educational framework. We will further develop educational seminars held during annual meetings, renew the Virtual Clinical Thyroid College, and update the JTA Specialist Guidebook.

3. Standardization of Thyroid Function Testing

Although TSH reference harmonization has been achieved for ages 20–60, sex-specific and age-specific (year-by-year) reference ranges are urgently needed, as are trimester-specific ranges in pregnancy. Standardization of FT4 remains an unmet priority.

4. Promoting Diversity and Integrating Sex-based Medicine

Despite progress, leadership roles such as specialists, councilors, and board members remain male-dominant. Through the Japan Women in Thyroidology (J-WIT), we will reinforce support for women physicians and researchers. Beyond gender equity, we aim to foster broader diversity. Given that thyroid diseases occur ten times more frequently in women, the JTA will increasingly incorporate sex-based medicine into clinical guidelines.

5. Research Grants and Global Dissemination

We will expand support for basic researchers, promote international exchange through AOTA, and renew the Association’s website. The newly launched official English journal, “Thyroid Science”, will become a platform for publishing Japanese guidelines and research achievements, elevating global visibility and ultimately securing an impact factor.

6. Outreach to General Practitioners

We will continue addressing clinically important issues in thyroid care and updating guidelines. Publications aimed at non-specialists will be prepared to ensure thyroid diseases are not overlooked in daily practice.

7. Public Awareness and Patient Education

May 25 is World Thyroid Day. Through public lectures, we will create opportunities for both patients and the general public to learn about thyroid disorders.

8. Supporting the Development and Approval of New Therapies

Recent innovations—including new therapies for thyroid eye disease—have demonstrated remarkable progress in antibody-based and molecular-targeted treatments. As more clinical trials emerge in Japan, the JTA will actively contribute to the development and regulatory approval of such therapies, ensuring patients receive the best available treatments without delay.

9. Strengthening Collaboration with the Japan Endocrine Society (JES)

In 2026, the Japan Endocrine Society (JES) will celebrate its centennial. As one of its subspecialty societies, the JTA will take this opportunity to deepen collaboration and shape the next 100 years of endocrinology in Japan.

Closing Remarks

Although the tasks before us are that many, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to achieving each of these goals step by step. I humbly ask for the continued support and cooperation of all members as we strive together for the advancement of the JTA.

Executive Council of the JTA

The current information posted is for 2023. Information for 2025 will be posted soon.

President

Directors

Auditors

Annual Meeting Record of the JTA

【Coming Meetings】

65^th Annual Meeting

November 1～3, 2022
Osaka International Convention Center (Osaka)
Chairman, Nagaoki Toyoda. Kansai Medical University, Osaka

【Past Meetings】

64^th Annual Meeting

November 18～20, 2021
Toshi Center Hotel Tokyo (Tokyo)
Chairman, Tomonobu Hasegawa. Keio University, Tokyo

63^rd Annual Meeting

November 19～December 15, 2020
(WEB)
Chairman, Tetsuya Tagami. National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto

62^nd Annual Meeting

October 10～12, 2019
Maebashi City Culture Center (Gunma)
Chairman, Masanobu Yamada, Gunma University, Gunma

61^st Annual Meeting

November 22～24, 2018
Westa Kawagoe (Saitama)
Chairman, Akira Hishinuma. Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi

60^th Annual Meeting

October 5～7, 2017
Beppu International Convention Center (Oita)
Chairman, Shiro Noguchi, Noguchi Thyroid Clinic and Hospital Foundation, Oita

59^th Annual Meeting

November 3～5, 2016
Toranomon Hills Forum (Tokyo)
Chairman, Jaeduk Yoshimura Noh, Ito Hospital, Tokyo

58^th Annual Meeting

November 5～7, 2015
Fukushima Prefectural Culture Center (Fukushima)
Chairman, Shin-ichi Suzuki, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima

57^th Annual Meeting

November 13～15, 2014
Congress Convention Center (Osaka)
Chairman, Yoshinori Iwatani, Osaka University, Osaka

56^th Annual Meeting

November 14～16, 2013
Wakayama Prefectural Cultural Hall (Wakayama)
Chairman, Takashi Akamizu, Wakayama Medical University , Wakayama

55^th Annual Meeting

November 29- December 1, 2012
ACROS Fukuoka (Fukuoka)
Chairman, Yuji Hiromatsu, Kurume University, Fukuoka

54^th Annual Meeting

November 21-23, 2011
Osaka International House (Osaka)
Chairman, Mitsushige Nishikawa, Kansai Medical University Hirakata Hospital, Osaka

53^rd Annual Meeting

November 11-13, 2010
Nagasaki Brick Hall (Nagasaki)
Chairman, Shunichi Yamashita, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki

52^nd Annual Meeting

November 3-5, 2009
Nagoya Congress Center (Aichi)
Chairman, Mitsuyasu Ito, Fujita Health University

51^st Annual Meeting

November 21-23, 2008
Utsunomiya, Tochigi
Chairman, Tamio Ieiri, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi

50^th Annual Meeting

November 15-17, 2007
Kobe, Hyogo
Chairman, Akira Miyauchi, Kuma Hospital, Hyogo

Special Committees of the JTA

Thyroid Clinical Boarding Committee

Yuji Tanaka （Chairperson）, Ritsuko Okamura, Koshi Hashimoto

JTA Journal Editorial Committee

Nagaoki Toyoda （Chairperson）, Naoko Arata, Misa Imaizumi, Takahiro Okamoto, Koichi Suzuki, Toru Takano, Tetsuya Tagami, Yuji Tanaka, Keisuke Nagasaki, Shohei Harada, Akira Hishinuma, Sanae Midorikawa

Pediatric Thyroid Disease Committee

Kanshi Minamitani （Chairperson）, Naoko Arata, Tomonobu Hasegawa, Masatsune Ito, Hiroaki Inomata, Shinya Uchino, Hidemi Ohye, Kazumichi Onigata, Koichi Sato, Shigetaka Sugihara, Keisuke Nagasaki, Satoshi Narumi, Yukihiro Hasegawa, Shohei Harada, Shuji Fukata, Mako Hisakado, Takashi Misaki, Tetsuya Mizukami, Susumu Yokoya, Jaeduk Yoshimura Noh