セミナー開催目的

　国際的に活躍できる若手リウマチ学研究者を育成するための合宿形式による英語でのセミナーです。今回の開催で第12回目となる国際育成セミナーは、海外若手リウマチ学研究者とのディスカッションを行う良い機会と考えています。

 セミナー概要

 応募要項

※ 応募は終了いたしました。

 共催セミナーについて

※ 応募は終了いたしました。

 Participants Voice

Yuki Imai

Participating in the JCR International School was a wonderful opportunity to learn science, improve my presentation skills, and make friends from all over the world. Through this experience, I gained confidence in giving presentations and communicating in English. I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the young researchers. During the discussions, there was an open and welcoming atmosphere where all questions were encouraged. Participants quickly grasped the research topics, regardless of their primary specialties, and offered insightful comments. This experience was inspiring and made me realize the areas I need to develop to grow as a researcher.
We also enjoyed Karuizawa, with its refreshing climate and delicious food. I highly recommend this International School to other young researchers. Finally, I am truly grateful to all the participants, tutors, and JCR staff.
 

Kazuki Matsuda

Rediscovering Scientific Dialogue and Reflection in Karuizawa

As the sole dermatologist participating in the JCR International Seminar 2025, I was initially a little uncertain about joining a discussion group with members from different specialties. However, the environment turned out to be both intellectually stimulating and welcoming. The 30-minute discussion time allocated to each session was more than sufficient for in-depth and constructive conversation, and I was impressed by how freely and enthusiastically everyone engaged in the discussions.

The tutors played an essential role throughout the program—not only during the seminar but also before it began. Their guidance was consistently thoughtful and encouraging. They actively promoted engagement among all participants while respecting the diversity of ideas and experiences. Thanks to their support, we were able to delve deeply into various research topics and clinical questions in an open and respectful atmosphere.

Karuizawa’s climate—with its cooler temperature and lower humidity compared to the city—made it an ideal retreat setting. Being away from my usual clinical and administrative duties allowed me to reflect more deeply on my research and career path. I was reminded of the value of stepping back in order to move forward as a scientist.

This experience reaffirmed the importance of interdisciplinary retreats. I sincerely hope that this meaningful program continues for years to come, and I will certainly recommend it to my colleagues.
 

Keisuke Imabayashi

I was truly honored to join this seminar. What surprised me most was the extremely high level of the participants — not only their presentations, but also the sharpness of their questions and discussions. It was both humbling and motivating.
There was plenty of time for interaction, and I was glad to have many chances to talk with other participants during and after the sessions. Through those conversations, I was able to make friends with people from various backgrounds and countries, and I learned a lot about the different situations in rheumatology across the world.
I must admit I may have gotten a bit too obsessed with talking to Dr. Dai Dai about age-associated B cells (ABCs) — I really couldn’t stop. It was just so much fun to dive deep into a topic I care about with someone equally enthusiastic. That said, I also had many other valuable conversations with participants who had impressive expertise in basic immunology. Every discussion helped spark new ideas and gave me a strong push to move forward with my own research.
This experience also reminded me of how important it is to improve my English. Communicating in English was sometimes challenging, but it allowed me to connect with so many inspiring people and exchange ideas in a way that would not have been possible otherwise.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Kubo for inviting me to this wonderful seminar. Without his support, I would not have had this invaluable experience.
 

Yasuto Minegishi

Presenting at the international conference was a valuable learning experience for me. Although I was well prepared for my talk, I found the discussion session to be more challenging than expected. Some of the questions were asked rapidly or with unfamiliar terminology, and I could not fully understand or respond as clearly as I wanted. I felt frustrated that I couldn’t express my thoughts effectively and worried that this might give the impression that I lacked understanding of my own research.

This experience taught me the importance of not only preparing my presentation, but also improving my English communication skills, especially in academic settings. I realized that being able to engage in discussions is crucial for exchanging ideas and building professional relationships. While it was disappointing not to perform as well as I hoped, I believe such experiences are part of personal and academic growth. Moving forward, I am motivated to improve my English by participating in more discussions and seeking feedback. I want to gain more confidence and be able to contribute more actively in future conferences.
 

Yuki Saito

Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rheumatology, Nagoya, Japan

I attended the JCR International Seminar in Karuizawa from 17 to 19 July 2025. Because every presentation and Q&A was conducted in English and limited to 15 minutes, I felt understandably tense. I also sensed extra pressure as an orthopaedic surgeon—one of only a few among a majority of internal-medicine specialists.
Nevertheless, I was profoundly inspired by the high-quality talks and incisive questions posed by peers from Japan and abroad.
At the dinner that followed the sessions, I enjoyed lively conversations with colleagues of the same generation; hearing their candid perspectives on their work was extremely valuable to me.
This seminar is exactly the kind of experience I hope younger doctors will seize.
Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to JCR, to my tutors, and to every participating doctor for organizing and contributing to such an informative and motivating event.
 

Seulkee Lee

Thank you so much for inviting me to such a wonderful opportunity.
The JCR International School enabled an exceptionally deep level of discussion that is rarely seen at other conferences, as all participants had sufficient presentation time and extended Q&A sessions. I was exposed to excellent and diverse research from Japanese researchers as well as various invited international researchers, and I was particularly impressed by the deep passion and high caliber of Japanese researchers’ work in immunology.
This was also an opportunity to build genuine international networks. At typical overseas conferences, especially with language barriers, interactions between unfamiliar attendees rarely occur naturally. However, thanks to the encouragement of the JCR organizers and the special environment of Karuizawa, I was able to interact with international researchers at every moment and build both academic exchanges and personal friendships.
I am grateful to JCR for creating this special opportunity, and I already miss the Japanese participants and other international participants with whom I spent time in Karuizawa. I would highly recommend this event to anyone considering future participation.
 

Akinori Murakami

It was a great pleasure to attend the JCR International School 2025 in Karuizawa. I joined to improve my skills in giving presentations in English, and it became an inspiring and educational experience.
Before the seminar, my tutor, Dr. Tsuchiya, provided me with many valuable suggestions for creating my slides. Her advice was very helpful and greatly improved the quality of my presentation.
In this seminar, each presenter had 30 minutes for both the presentation and the Q&A, which is much longer than at most conferences. Thanks to this format, I could receive many questions and have deeper discussions about my research. The open and friendly atmosphere also helped me feel more comfortable asking and answering questions in English.
Each dinner party provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with participants and tutors, and I could make friends with rheumatologists and researchers of the same generation. Talking with them about their work and experiences was both inspiring and motivating for my own career.
I am deeply grateful to all participants, tutors, and JCR staff, and I highly recommend this program to young researchers.
 

Maria Tada

Japan

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the JCR International School 2025. It was a wonderful experience to present our research and discuss with participants from overseas as well as from across Japan. Since the participants had diverse backgrounds and career stages, the discussions were even more stimulating and educational. I learned a lot not only from presentations, but also from the questions and insightful comments offered by tutors and professors. I am especially thankful to my tutor, who kindly supported me in making the presentation slides and provided me with valuable advice to improve my research. I also enjoyed spending time with my roommates, sharing the difference in research and clinical practice among countries, as well as our daily lives and families. Additionally, meeting other young researchers who are working diligently in clinical practice and research was motivating for me. I would highly recommend this unique and wonderful program to many young researchers. Finally, I would like to thank all the participants, tutors, and staff of the JCR International School 2025.
 

Yuki Etani

I decided to join the JCR International School because I lacked confidence in delivering presentations and handling discussions in English. I saw this program as an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and improve my communication skills in an international setting.
Throughout the program, I was deeply inspired by the high-level research presentations from participants around the world. Each talk was filled with cutting-edge findings and unique perspectives, and the discussions that followed were equally stimulating. It made me realize the importance of being able to communicate my research clearly and confidently on a global stage.
What I value most from this experience is the connections I built with fellow participants. Despite differences in background and culture, we shared the same passion for advancing rheumatology. These new friendships across borders have become a great source of motivation for me. After the presentations, we enjoyed a cocktail party and, later, informal gatherings at the cottage. These moments, filled with laughter, offered a refreshing contrast to the academic discussions during the day and allowed us to connect on a more personal level.
I would like to thank all the participants, tutors, and staff of the JCR International School 2025.
 

Edward Lau

I arrived in Karuizawa with a suitcase and the slightly nervous energy of a traveller from Hong Kong about to step into a room full of very smart people. The town proved itself to be as beautiful as its postcards – gorgeous green slopes, flowers in bloom, and crisp air. The hotel venue sat right next to the shinkansen station, surrounded by this perfect scenery.
The workshop itself was impressive, in the best and most humbling sense. Many participants came from a background of basic sciences, speaking fluently in cells, proteins, and translations. Most importantly, they were mostly PhD, a stark contrast to my background – a trainee in rheumatology, with experience nowhere near the other attendees, extremely green to the world of scientific research. Standing among our renowned tutors and participants felt like visiting a Michelin kitchen when you have just learnt how to make a hard-boiled egg.

But that contrast became a feature, not a flaw.

Everyone was extremely helpful and kind. Explanations by speakers were concise, extremely helpful for me to catch up on what’s important and new in the field. Keeping up with the latest advances was a highlight. We heard updates across the spectrum: biology locating inflammation of diseases; cell-based markers allowing individualised therapies; CAR-T therapies and their practical implications. Then there were the keynote lectures where familiar therapies were reframed: not just if they work, but who they work for, when and how. The Q&A session was rich with curiosity, rather than competition. I found it surprisingly easy to ask “beginner” questions; the atmosphere made them feel like invitations rather than admissions.

The setting definitely helped. Karuizawa was scenic without being distracting. A five-minute walk nearby between lectures worked like a reset button, thanks to the morning light and summer breeze. Staying in the hotel in Karuizawa did not feel like an isolation, more like a detox. Evenings were pleasant with informal dinners and cocktail parties.

I flew back to Hong Kong with a messy notebook and an even messier mind—in the best way. Karuizawa and JCR offered the calm to process complex ideas, and the faculty curated a program that made room for both rigor and curiosity. For a trainee doing rudimentary research, it was a constructive stretch: a clearer map of where the field is going, and a reminder that good questions travel well across disciplines. If you get the chance to attend, the mountains are gentle, the science is sharp, and there’s space for trainees to grow.
 

Mitsuru Watanabe

Reflections on the JCR International Seminar

To be honest, I was nervous about presenting in English at the seminar. However, my experience turned out to be one of the most fulfilling and memorable periods of my career.
It was incredibly stimulating to listen to presentations from leading scientists at the forefront of basic research. I was fascinated about how the clinical questions I encounter daily are intricately linked to fundamental scientific inquiry. Furthermore, the questions and guidance from the tutors were always supportive and remarkably insightful, providing an invaluable opportunity to re-evaluate my own research from multiple perspectives.
The opportunity to interact with participants from overseas was another significant highlight of the seminar. Beyond the formal sessions, we were able to transcend language barriers and share our collective passion for rheumatology. I was able to learn about the different healthcare systems, research environments, and career paths in their respective countries, which truly broadened my insights. This experience has significantly boosted my motivation to actively participate and engage in discussions at future international conferences.
As one of the few attendees from a community hospital rather than institution like universities , I would strongly encourage the future rheumatologists to attend this seminar. It was a profound reminder that basic research and clinical practice are not separate entities, but rather mutually inspire and enrich one another. The seminar provided a crucial opportunity for introspection, allowing me to reflect on my future career path and set new goals as a clinician.
Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the administrative staff of the JCR for their impeccable organization of this outstanding seminar, and to the outstanding tutors for their enthusiastic and dedicated mentorship of us young investigators.
 

Li-heng Huang

It was a great honor and privilege to attend the 2025 JCR international school. In the workshop, I learned very useful and practical tips to deliver presentation and answer questions (such as appeasement, avoidance and returning the question). It was also interesting to learn it through role play and group discussions.

In the sessions and keynote speeches, the discussion by both attendees and tutors was very in depth and fruitful, covering both basic, translational and clinical aspects of rheumatology. The 15-minute Q&A session felt long for a presenter, but it may have seemed short for the audience. I also enjoyed chatting with fellow researchers during dinner, cock-tail parties and in the cottage.

Lastly, I was very excited to talk about my research about rheumatology education. It was my first time to present publicly in English. Accordingly, I would also like to pay special appreciation to my mentor, Dr. Kishimoto, for his kind suggestions on the presentation and warm welcome throughout the school.
 

Tomoko Niwano

Participating in the JCR International School was an incredibly valuable experience. While the opportunity to present research in English is already quite precious, what stood out even more was the unique structure of the school, which allocated as much time for the Q&A session as for the presentations themselves. What made this especially remarkable was the continuous stream of questions from both fellow participants and tutors, creating an environment of highly active and engaging discussions.
I used to hesitate to ask questions about others’ presentations. However, in this event, such an atmosphere encouraged me to participate more actively. As a result, I was able to ask questions in many sessions, which boosted my confidence significantly. Another equally wonderful aspect was being able to connect and build friendships with many fellow researchers of my generation, both from Japan and abroad.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the tutors and the JCR organizers for providing us with such a valuable opportunity.
 

Chinatsu Ichikawa

Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate in the JCR International School and for the very fantastic time spent in Karuizawa.
Although the seminar was challenging for me due to my limited English skills, it was also very informative and stimulating. Overall, it was a truly valuable and positive experience.
I was very anxious before my turn because it was my first presentation in English. The 15-minute question-and-answer session felt particularly difficult for me; however, thanks to the kindness and support of the chairperson and the cooperation of everyone who asked questions, I was able to complete my session. This experience made me strongly aware of the importance of improving my English communication skills.
All the participants presented wonderful research findings, ranging from clinical research to basic research. A variety of studies were presented, covering fields with which I was unfamiliar. I learnt a lot. Even during the breaks, the participants were enthusiastic and continued to have active discussions. I also enjoyed meeting people from all over Japan and other countries.
Finally, I would like to thank the tutors who supported us, the organising staff, and all the participants for their kindness.
 

Yuichi Suwa

I decided to participate in this camp-style international conference because I was reflecting on my future career.
The orientation on how to prepare an English presentation was useful. The session was clear and included many practical tips I had never learned from my Japanese supervisors. In particular, the examples of how to handle questions and answers in English were concrete and realistic.
The presentations covered a wide range of topics, from basic science to clinical issues, and I found them all engaging. Although Q&A sessions seemed long, all questions were posed with respect for the presenters, and the exchanges felt constructive and encouraging. I also found that many continued their discussions even during breaks, taking the opportunity to share ideas. While the daily social gatherings were a bit stressful for me, having just two nights of such events was a good balance. It provided enough opportunity to interact with all participants, and I finally enjoyed them.
On the other hand, I regretted that there was no substantial free time for sightseeing, as Karuizawa is such an attractive place. In addition, the information about the cottages and hotels was somewhat limited, and more guidance on their use would have been helpful.
Overall, I found the experience very stimulating and rewarding. I gained not only new knowledge and presentation skills but also the chance to connect with enthusiastic peers from diverse backgrounds.

Iolanda Miceli

Thank you very much to the Japan College of Rheumatology for inviting me to their International School in July 2025 in Karuizawa. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet new colleagues, learn about fantastic research and enjoy a beautiful location in Japan. The quality of the presentations was very high. I enjoyed the unique format of the presentations, with equal time allotted to presentation and question time. This provided an invaluable opportunity to thoroughly discuss each participant’s work as well as giving participant’s good Q&A practice time. The school was very thoughtfully and well organised. I also enjoyed the evening functions, good company and hospitable spirit of the tutors and participants!
 

Ryuichiro Kanda

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the JCR International Seminar. The program offered not only an overview of outstanding domestic studies but also provided valuable knowledge about high-level research from overseas. I was deeply inspired by the advanced work and dedication of researchers from around the world.
One of the most rewarding aspects was the chance to connect with fellow young researchers, both from Japan and abroad. Through these interactions, I was able to exchange ideas, discuss future directions, and gain new perspectives. It was also a meaningful opportunity to challenge myself in an international environment.
This experience made me think more seriously about expanding my activities globally, including studying or working abroad someday. I truly felt the importance of taking on new challenges, even if they feel unfamiliar at first. Overall, this seminar encouraged me to put even more effort into my research and personal growth.
I would like to thank Dr. Kono, Prof. Tanaka, Prof. Kameda, all tutors for their mentorship, and all the colleagues in this seminar for their excellent advices and comments. I would also like to thank the sponsors for their help in the management of the event.
 

Naoya Iwata

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the JCR International Seminar.
Since I had never given a presentation on my own research in English, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session, it was a considerable challenge for me. Before the event, I felt quite anxious. However, the participants and tutors were very kind, which allowed me to relax and fully engage in the seminar.
The participants were highly accomplished, and I was inspired by the stimulating discussions, which made the three days extremely fruitful. In addition to the presentations, the program included several special events. For example, the opening lecture on presentation skills was both informative and enjoyable. The excellent meals also provided valuable opportunities for informal communication with other participants. I would strongly recommend this seminar to young researchers who are considering studying abroad.
I am deeply grateful to all the participants, staff members, and organizers for making this seminar possible.