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 Message from the Chairperson of the Committee

　We are pleased to announce that we will hold the 13th International School from July 16 to 18, 2026.
　The school is planned to facilitate fellows in training and junior faculty not only from Japan, but also from overseas to exchange their experiences in research and practice for rheumatology by English.
Through presenting the topics in the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment for the rheumatic diseases by individual attendee will be discussed in depth by all members in the school including faculties from JCR.
　We hope the program encourage the attendees interaction each other and with faculty, leading to raise rheumatologists and rheumatology researchers, who can actively work internationally.

 Program

• Timetable
• Program
• *as of July 8

 
Day 1 : Thursday, July 16
　pre-seminar Lecture
　”Tips for Improving your Academic Presentations”（tentative）
　Opening Ceremony
　Keynote Lecture
　Presentation Session
　Welcome Party

Day 2 : Friday, July 17
　Keynote Luncheon Lecture
　Keynote Evening Lecture
　Presentation Session
　Free Time

Day 3 : Saturday, July 18
　Presentation Session
　Closing Ceremony
 

 Participants Voice

Masatoshi Kawataka

The JCR International School provided a unique opportunity to share research interests and ideas with promising young investigators from Japan and abroad. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the extended time for presentations and Q&A, which enabled us to discuss each project in greater depth than is usually possible at scientific meetings. The thoughtful questions and comments I received encouraged me to reconsider several aspects of my own research and future directions.
It was also a valuable experience to discuss science in English with researchers of my generation working at the forefront of their respective fields. These exchanges were both stimulating and encouraging, and reminded me of the importance of building relationships with researchers beyond my own institution and country. I hope to maintain and further develop these connections, and to continue learning from one another through future scientific interactions.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Nakashima, Prof. Kameda, Prof. Tanaka, and all the tutors for their generous guidance, valuable advice, and support throughout the seminar.

Masatoshi Kawataka
The First Department of Internal Medicine
University of Toyama Faculty of Medicine
 

Koji Suzuki

An Inspiring Journey of Scientific Growth and Networking in Karuizawa

Attending the JCR International School 2026 was an exceptional privilege that allowed me to expand my scientific horizons, polish my public speaking abilities, and build lasting friendships with colleagues. Although I felt a bit anxious at first about diving into discussions with members from various medical backgrounds, the warm environment quickly made me feel at home. The 30-minute discussion was perfect for engaging in deep, constructive discussion. I was deeply moved by the intense passion of my fellow young researchers. Regardless of their specific areas of expertise, they rapidly understood diverse research topics and provided highly insightful feedback. Moreover, thoughtful guidance by the tutors, which began even before the seminar officially started, helped facilitate active engagement and mutual respect among all attendees. Outside the academic sessions, the beautiful nature and excellent cuisine of Karuizawa provided a refreshing backdrop for socializing. This unforgettable experience has highlighted the skills I need to further develop in my career. I wholeheartedly recommend this seminar to any early-career researcher. My sincere gratitude goes out to the JCR staff, tutors, and fellow participants for an incredible 2026 program.
 

Andrew McGucken

Scotland

The JCR Knowledge Exchange was an excellent experience that combined rigorous scientific discussion with the opportunity to get to know colleagues from around the world. The programme’s structure, with 15 minutes dedicated to questions after each presentation, ensured that ideas and hypotheses could be explored in depth, while allowing valuable advice and constructive feedback to be shared.
It was a truly memorable experience that has given me greater confidence in presenting to international audiences. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with everyone at ACR and EULAR in the coming year!
 

Osamu Iri

I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to participate in this seminar and for the valuable time I spent in Karuizawa.

One of the most beneficial aspects of the seminar was the lecture by Professor E. H. Jego on the first day. His practical advice on academic presentations and interactive strategies for Q&A sessions helped me prepare mentally and approach my own presentation with greater confidence.

Another highlight was the opportunity to have passionate and open discussions with researchers of my generation. We talked not only about our research interests and future projects, but also about career development and life plans. These conversations were both stimulating and reassuring, and they gave me renewed motivation for my future career. I also greatly appreciated the chance to interact with rheumatologists from other countries.

Finally, the beautiful natural environment of Karuizawa made the seminar even more memorable. Spending time surrounded by nature allowed me to refresh myself and engage in the discussions with an open mind.

This seminar was a truly valuable experience that broadened my perspective both scientifically and personally. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the organizers, lecturers, and participants.

Ikuo Takazawa

Participating in the JCR International School 2026 was a valuable and inspiring experience. The ample time for questions encouraged me to listen actively, think critically, and engage in meaningful discussions. The introductory lecture on effective presentation skills was also very useful.
The tutors carefully reviewed each slide and gave specific, important feedback. I learned not only how to improve individual slides, but also how to choose appropriate fonts, enhance readability, and clearly communicate the research question and purpose from the outset. I would like to express my sincere gratitude once again to Dr. Kubo for his thoughtful guidance.
The room-sharing arrangement was very comfortable, with a common area in the center and separate lockable rooms that provided a good balance of interaction and privacy. On the first evening, the roommates, including participants from overseas, gathered in the common area, shared souvenir snacks, and enjoyed many conversations.
Karuizawa was an excellent venue, and its refreshing environment allowed us to deepen both our knowledge and professional connections. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who made this seminar so meaningful and memorable.
 

Takeshi Kaneko

I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in the JCR International School 2026.
I joined the program because I wanted to improve my English communication skills. We had plenty of time for both presentations and discussions, which gave me a great opportunity to talk in depth about my research. I received a lot of helpful feedback and learned a great deal from the discussions.
Another great part of the program was meeting and getting to know other researchers. We talked about our research, our daily lives, experiences of studying abroad, and our future plans. It was a wonderful opportunity to make new connections and learn from each other. I also really enjoyed hearing directly from people who have actually done research overseas.
This experience reminded me of how important international communication and collaboration are. It also made me more interested in doing research abroad.
Finally, I would like to thank all the tutors and JCR organizers for their kind support throughout the program, as well as all the participants for making the experience so enjoyable. I really enjoyed the experience, and I would definitely recommend this seminar to other young researchers.
 

Emily Lin

Australia

I would like to thank the Japanese College of Rheumatology for giving me the opportunity to participate in the JCR International School 2026. It was a wonderful experience to meet other rheumatologists from around the world and hear about a variety of very high quality research. Karuizawa is a beautiful location and I thoroughly enjoyed staying there. The other participants and tutors were very welcoming and friendly and the event was extremely well organised.
 

Yasuhiro Nohda

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the JCR International School 2026. Presenting my research in English was a very challenging experience, and I was extremely nervous before and during my presentation. However, the 15-minute discussion session was particularly valuable. The questions covered not only points I had expected, but also perspectives that I had not considered before, which helped me look at my own research more objectively and think more deeply about its significance and future direction.

I was also very grateful for the thoughtful and detailed guidance provided by my tutor. The advice I received while preparing my presentation helped me organize my ideas more clearly and communicate my research more effectively in English.

Another valuable aspect of the seminar was the opportunity to interact with participants from overseas. Through discussions both during and outside the scientific sessions, I was able to exchange information about differences in medical practice, healthcare systems, and research environments in other countries.

Overall, this seminar was an extremely meaningful experience that broadened both my scientific and international perspectives. I sincerely thank all the tutors, participants, organizers, and JCR staff for providing me with this valuable opportunity.
 

Keiichiro Kadoba

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the JCR International School 2026. It was a truly valuable and stimulating experience.
One of the most valuable parts of the school was the format of the scientific sessions. Having 15 minutes to present and another 15 minutes for discussion gave us enough time to listen carefully to each presentation, think about the research, and prepare questions. It was also a valuable opportunity for young researchers to ask questions freely and without hesitation in English.
I was also greatly inspired by the lectures and discussions led by the tutors. Their experiences and English skills, as well as the way they discussed research, provided many lessons.
Another highlight was the opportunity to communicate closely with researchers and tutors from different universities. I think that the connections and friendships I made through this school will be very valuable for me in the future.
I am sincerely grateful to all the tutors, participants, and organizers for creating such a stimulating and welcoming environment. I would definitely recommend this school to other young researchers. I hope many young researchers will have the opportunity to experience this wonderful school.
 

Hiroshi Shiba

As a clinician at a community hospital interested in clinical　research, I joined the JCR International School 2025. Although I had　presented at international conferences before, I felt I still needed　training to communicate my findings more effectively and handle Q&A　sessions with confidence.　
The seminar was inspiring from day one. Dr. Jeigo’s lecture gave me　practical tips, making me excited to try them in my talk. However, as　I watched everyone fully use their time and engage in lively　discussions, my anxiety grew as my turn approached. Fortunately, the　chair created a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. Even though my　research on social determinants of health (SDOH) was different from　basic immunology, the audience showed great interest, and I had　fruitful discussions.
Staying at the Karuizawa cottages was a great way to refresh. Chatting　with my roommate, who had a completely different background, was fun.　At the same time, casual interactions reminded me that I still have　room to improve my conversational English.　Seeing various research topics—from AI and database studies to CAR-T　therapy—reminded me how exciting research is and raised my motivation.　
I highly recommend this program to young clinicians. Finally, I would　like to express my sincere gratitude to the JCR organizers, tutors,and participants for this wonderful experience.
 

Sho Fukui

It was a great pleasure to participate in the JCR International School 2026 in Karuizawa.
I truly enjoyed the excellent presentations and interactive discussions on rheumatology and immunology research.
The presentations by many young and highly motivated researchers inspired me to continue pursuing my current research projects. The social events were also wonderful. Over delicious food and drinks, we enjoyed communicating in English and building friendships with participants from Japan and abroad. Despite the rainy weather, Karuizawa’s relaxing atmosphere and greenery helped us open up to one another.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my tutor, Professor Kei Ikeda, for his valuable advice and mentorship throughout the program. I would also like to thank all the tutors and staff members for making this event such a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this program to young researchers who wish to gain inspiration and build friendships in the field of rheumatology research.
 

Bora Nam

Republic of Korea

First, I would like to express my gratitude to the JCR staff, the tutors, and all the participants for their dedicated efforts in the JCR International Seminar. This seminar provided me with an opportunity to re-examine my own research by having my presentation slides reviewed in advance by a tutor and receiving her questions. Having participated, I found that the lecture and workshop led by Dr. Jego were extremely practical and interactive, and I believe they served as an effective icebreaker before the oral presentations. Each participant’s presentation was well-crafted, covering a wide range of topics from basic to clinical research, ensuring the program remained engaging throughout. Furthermore, the sincere comments and questions I received regarding my own presentation provided important guidance for advancing my research in the future. Interacting with the other participants was particularly memorable and meaningful; I was surprised to find not only international attendees but also a surprisingly large number of researchers conducting work on monocytes and macrophages, just as I do. In closing, although this seminar is conducted in English, I highly recommend it to any researchers considering participation, as it offers experiences and broadens perspectives that are not readily available in everyday research.
 

Teng-Chieh Hsu

Taiwan

Participating in the 13th JCR International School was a truly valuable experience. The program provided an excellent environment for scientific discussion, where young rheumatologists from different countries could exchange ideas in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. I especially appreciated the interactive format, which encouraged in-depth discussions beyond the presentations themselves.
As a clinician involved in real-world evidence research, one of my greatest takeaways was the opportunity to receive practical methodological advice from experienced investigators. The discussions throughout the program encouraged me to reflect more critically on study design, causal inference, and the interpretation of observational research. These insights will undoubtedly influence my future clinical research.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizing committee for creating such an inspiring educational program. I am particularly grateful to Prof. Kei Ikeda, Prof. Yoshiya Tanaka, and Dr. Sho Fukui for their thoughtful guidance and practical methodological suggestions. Their advice has broadened my perspective and motivated me to continue improving both my research and scientific communication.
Beyond the scientific sessions, it was a pleasure to meet talented young rheumatologists from many different countries and to build new friendships. I sincerely appreciate this memorable opportunity and hope to meet everyone again at future international meetings.
 

Tomohiro Kozuki

First, I would like to express my gratitude to the JCR staff, the tutors, and all the participants for their dedicated efforts in the JCR International Seminar. This seminar provided me with an opportunity to re-examine my own research by having my presentation slides reviewed in advance by a tutor and receiving her questions. Having participated, I found that the lecture and workshop led by Dr. Jego were extremely practical and interactive, and I believe they served as an effective icebreaker before the oral presentations. Each participant’s presentation was well-crafted, covering a wide range of topics from basic to clinical research, ensuring the program remained engaging throughout. Furthermore, the sincere comments and questions I received regarding my own presentation provided important guidance for advancing my research in the future. Interacting with the other participants was particularly memorable and meaningful; I was surprised to find not only international attendees but also a surprisingly large number of researchers conducting work on monocytes and macrophages, just as I do. In closing, although this seminar is conducted in English, I highly recommend it to any researchers considering participation, as it offers experiences and broadens perspectives that are not readily available in everyday research.
 

Yuya Fujita

A Valuable Step Toward International Communication

Yuya Fujita
The First Department of Internal Medicine in the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan

Participating in the JCR International Training Seminar 2026 was an extremely valuable experience for me. It gave me a rare chance to present my basic research in English and answer questions from faculty members and other participants.
My presentation was recorded, so I could watch it again afterward. This helped me see more clearly which skills I need to improve, such as speaking more smoothly, explaining my ideas more simply, and answering questions more quickly.
All presentations and discussions were held in English. At first, I found it difficult to speak up and express my thoughts. However, as the seminar went on, I gradually became more comfortable with English discussion and less afraid of making mistakes.
This experience gave me more confidence and motivation to share my research internationally. I hope to use what I learned at future international conferences and during possible research or training opportunities abroad. I am sincerely grateful to the organizers, to Professor Shinsuke Yasuda and the other tutors for their kind guidance, and to all the participants for making the seminar such a valuable and encouraging experience.
 

Kazuro Kamada

Participating in the JCR International School 2026 in Karuizawa was a valuable and memorable experience for me.
It was my first opportunity to present my basic research in English, and although I found some aspects challenging due to my limited experience, presenting my research was extremely rewarding.
I received many insightful comments and questions from researchers of my generation as well as from the tutors. Their feedback provided me an excellent opportunity to reconsider my research from different perspectives and to recognize both its strengths and areas that could be further developed.
I was also greatly inspired by the other researchers’ presentations. Learning about their research and exchanging ideas with them further increased my motivation to continue my own research.
I would like to thank all the participants, tutors and JCR staff organizing the seminar.
 

Janina Auth

Germany

This year I had the opportunity to participate in the annual International School of the Japan College of Rheumatology. It was an honor to meet so many motivated and talented colleagues from all over the world and to present and discuss my data with such an engaged audience. I had the opportunity to gain insights into a broad variety of different projects which was a valuable experience to change perspectives and develop new ideas for my own research. Most importantly, JCR International School was a great networking opportunity and I am sure that many of the connections made there will last for many years! Thank you very much to JCR President Prof. Yoshiya Tanaka and Chairperson Prof. Hideto Kameda, all our tutors and committee members as well as the organizers for this special event!
 

 JCR International School Committee