President of
The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy,
AKIRA IYODA
The Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy was established in 1978 as " the Japan Bronchology Study Group", then renamed the "Japan Association for Bronchology" in 1982, and then again to the "Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy" in 2003, becoming a specified non-profit organization in the same year. By 2023, it transitioned to its current status as a general incorporated association.
As of March 31, 2025, the total number of members was 7,095, including 3,308 specialists, 1,690 instructors, 453 certified facilities, and 121 certified facilities. Society strives to ensure that everyone can receive advanced and safe respiratory endoscopy medical care through research, education activities, training of specialists, branch meetings, and collaboration with other societies related to bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, and mediastinoscopy.
Specifically, the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy nurtures advanced bronchoscopy specialists through its system. The society publishes a Japanese language journal, "The Journal of the Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy" and an English language journal, "Respiratory Endoscopy", disseminating domestic and international research results. Additionally, it has released bronchoscopic texts and guidelines, such as the Guidebook For Safe Respiratory Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment, Expert Statement of Safety Procedures of Transbronchial Cryobiopsy, Standardization for Describing the Thoracoscopic Findings Under Local Anesthesia, and Classification of Bronchoscopic Findings, 2018 Revision, to ensure safe respiratory endoscopy practices. The society hosts annual meetings, bronchoscopic specialist conferences, bronchoscopic seminars, respiratory intervention seminars, and practical respiratory intervention seminars. It actively collaborates with various regional branches in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku-Shikoku, and Kyushu as well as with the World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (WABIP) to enhance knowledge and skills. Endoscopic respiratory treatment has made significant advancements in both diagnostics and therapy thanks to the cooperation of my specialties, thoracic surgery, and pulmonology, along with the development of new technologies and notable progress in lung cancer treatment. The research outcomes in our country are something to be proud of on a global scale, and we actively communicate our findings to the world. It is extremely important for many healthcare professionals, as well as the general public, to enhance their understanding of respiratory endoscopy to deliver advanced and safe medical care to everyone. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation regarding the activities of this society.
