Message from the Chairperson of the Committee

　We are pleased to announce that we will hold the 11th International School from July 25 to 27, 2024.
　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

 Participants Voice

Kentaro Kato

Japan

I attended this seminar because I was interested in studying abroad and felt I needed to gain experience using English. However, when I first checked the list of attendees and presentation titles, I felt nervous because I was the only pediatrician, and my English skills seemed inadequate. But there was no need to worry. In Karuizawa, one of the most beautiful places in Japan, there were many outstanding presenters from various backgrounds and tutors who supported us.
Before my presentation, my tutor thoroughly reviewed my slides and provided lots of useful advice. Thanks to this, I was able to confidently deliver my presentation and handle the question-and-answer session. Besides the presentations, we had many special events. For example, the opening lecture on improving our presentation skills was very comprehensive and enjoyable. The excellent food was also a highlight of the event, and it provided opportunities to communicate with many people.
I highly recommend this seminar to young researchers who are interested in studying abroad.
Thank you very much to all the participants, staff members, and organizers involved.
 

Jule Taubmann

Germany

As an international participant, I was given the opportunity to take part in the JCR this year. I perceived the atmosphere as professional and at the same time sheltered and familiar. The framework of this event offers aspiring young researchers the perfect atmosphere to practice their skills in presentations, english language and exchanges in the sense of question and answer sessions. An introductory seminar to update presentation skills was also extremely helpful. There were also top-class contributions from renowned professors on relevant rheumatic topics. I particularly appreciated the international exchange of knowledge in this setting. The organization by the secretary´s office was flawless and ran smoothly. In summary, I would consider the congress a great success in terms of international exchange and cooperation, as well as the opportunity for professional growth.
 

Tsuneo Sasai

Japan

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the JCR International School and for the very meaningful time spent in Karuizawa. Unlike ordinary research meetings or conferences, this seminar provided an extended 30-minute period for both presentations and Q&A sessions. This allowed for deeper questions about my research, leading to numerous insights. I also had the chance to ask questions about others’ excellent presentations, including simple questions I would typically hesitate to ask during shorter Q&A periods. The breaks between sessions enabled us to continue discussing research topics, making the experience even more valuable.
On the first day, Professor Yoshiya Tanaka mentioned the importance of going to a different place and thinking differently about the research. This advice truly resonated, and I was able to view my research from a fresh perspective. This three-day experience has significantly increased my motivation for future research. Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the organizers for providing this wonderful opportunity.
 

Paula Xiaobo Yang

Hong Kong

It’s been my honor to participate in JCR International School 2024 and give my presentation there. During the 3-day Conference, we have met great experts, fellows and trainees worldwide, shared our experiences in clinical and research work, and built a strong network and friendships among each other. I believe JCR International School is not only a good platform for young clinical practitioners in the field of Rheumatology to establish relationships, but also inspire us a lot in research directions. I also take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to my tutor Dr Haruka Tsuchiya for her kind support and guidance in preparing my presentation. Last but not least, I very much enjoyed the peaceful environment and the beautiful sight in Karuizawa.

I wish JCR International School future successes and hope we can catch up with each other in other conferences and academic events very soon!
 

Yuebo Jin

Beijing, China

Participating in the JCR International School 2024 in Karuizawa was an unforgettable experience. Engaging in academic exchanges with some of the brightest young minds from around the world was incredibly enriching. The diversity and innovation in their research broadened my perspectives, and I left the program with valuable insights.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of the experience was the friendships I formed with participants from various countries. Our discussions were not only intellectually stimulating but also personally fulfilling, as we bonded over shared interests and goals.

I am deeply grateful to the organizers for providing such an excellent platform. The immersive nature of the program, which encouraged active participation from everyone, was truly a highlight. It allowed us to express our thoughts openly and quickly connect with one another. A special thanks to my mentor, Prof. Ikeda, and all the other mentors for their dedicated guidance, which greatly enhanced my skills.

The beautiful setting in Karuizawa added to the charm of the event. The careful attention to detail in the planning made the entire experience enjoyable and memorable. I feel truly honored to have been part of this event.
 

Shuhei Takeyama

Japan

I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the JCR International School 2024 and to discuss in English with participants from overseas and all over Japan. I was inspired by the high-quality presentations and discussions of the other participants.
I was nervous about presenting in English. However, with the help of my tutor, who guided me through the slides and draft presentation beforehand, I was able to present with confidence.
Through the tutor’s guidance and discussions with the participants, I was also able to brush up on my own research. The discussions between presentations and the evening reception helped me make friends with other researchers and gain confidence in English conversation.
I hope that many young researchers will be interested in this meeting and will have a wonderful experience in Karuizawa in the future. I would like to thank all the participants, tutors, and staff of the JCR International School 2024.
 

Yoichi Nakayama

Japan

It was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to participate in the JCR International School 2024 in Karuizawa, Japan. The three days of seminars and evening cocktail parties were extremely enjoyable, and I truly appreciated the experience.
The scientific sessions featured many interesting and engaging research presentations. Each participant presented their research for about 15 minutes, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. For me, such a long Q&A session was unusual but very educational. I really focused on each presentation and made an effort to think of questions. I have not experienced such an intense brainstorming environment even in other congresses or conferences. By the end of the scientific program, I realized that the barrier to asking questions in English had been removed for me.
Each evening, we had a cocktail party with the other participants and tutors. It was an invaluable experience to converse with such passionate and engaging people over cocktails. I also had the opportunity to make friends with rheumatologists from other institutions and countries who were around the same age as me.
I am grateful to the tutors, participants, and JCR staff for giving me such a wonderful opportunity this summer.
 

Anna Antony

Australia

Comments regarding my experience in Karuizawa:

It was pleasure and a privilege to participate in the JCR International School this year in Karuizawa.

The JCR International School is an entirely unique meeting in terms of its format and agenda. It was very intellectually stimulating and inspiring to learn from the research endeavours of colleagues in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, India, Netherlands and Germany. The quality of clinical and basic science research was outstanding, as were the discussions that followed. The meeting was extremely successful in fostering regional early career research networking and potential future research collaborations. The opportunity to learn about the similarities and differences in the practice of rheumatology across various centres in the networking sessions were much appreciated.

I extend my sincere gratitude to the organisers and tutors (in particular Associate Professor Kosuke Ebina) who were involved in facilitating this event, and to the participating colleagues from Japan and around the world for their collegiality and kindness. I have taken so much away from the experience, and I would strongly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to attend this meeting in the future to do so.
 

Satoshi Takanashi

Japan

It was a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to attend the JCR International School 2024 in Karuizawa. Especially, the 15-minute question and answer session in English after each presentation was a great experience for me. It was also fascinating to communicate and interact with rheumatologists of the same generation from all over Japan and other countries.
A very positive aspect of the school is the time spent outside of the medical lectures and discussions. Dinner was a very valuable time for close interaction and fellowship over a buffet with the distinguished tutors and participants. We also enjoyed Karuizawa as a summer resort by taking morning walks in the suitable climate. The hotel also had hot spring facilities so I was able to relax.
I highly recommend young researchers to attend this seminar. I can guarantee that you will be stimulated, motivated to research, improve your English experience and, most importantly, make irreplaceable lifelong colleagues.
Finally, I would like to appreciate all the participants, tutors, and staff of the JCR International School 2024. Thank you very much.
 

Avanish Jha

India

My experience in JCR International School 2024

Being accepted for the JCR international school and representing India was a pleasure. Once in the Karuizawa, it was a respite from the hot summer. It seemed an apt serene venue for such a program. The first scientific program started with a faculty lecture on how to do presentations. I very much appreciate the guidance provided. This session also helped us get out of our comfort zones and meet each other as there were group activities. We started paper presentations from each student from there on. We learnt from each other and were encouraged to ask doubts. Each faculty present in the sessions was a giant in their field. It was their humility and respect shown by them by listening to all young presenters, that needs to be lauded. Dr Mitsumasa Kishimoto was my guide for the JCR and his suggestions for the presentation were constructive. I made international friends and this is the most unique and strongest positive I take back from the school. The time went fast on the third day when we all made our way back to Tokyo. The international students went out for another dinner together before it was time to say goodbye the next day. The time in Japan was great.

Dr. Avanish Jha,
DM, MD, MBBS
Associate Professor
Department of Rheumatology
CMC, Vellore
 

Genki Kidoguchi

Japan

As the seminar progressed, I took some time during the breaks to walk through the beautiful nature surrounding the hotel. Walking along the path lined with tall trees, I could hear the sound of cicadas (“セミ” in Japanese). Generally, cicadas sing to attract females, and their sound here was just the same as what I hear in Hiroshima. I was relieved to realize that they weren’t singing in English. For the cicadas, it seemed to be just another ordinary day.
I was a bit nervous about presenting in English, but I reminded myself of something important. The purpose of the intense discussions we had throughout the seminar was not to criticize each other. Ultimately, our research aims to alleviate the suffering of patients, and from that perspective, we are all on the same team, sharing a common goal. There are no enemies here. Even though our locations and environments may change, we are all working towards the same purpose just like the cicadas. With this thought, I felt much less nervous and was able to enjoy the experience, thanks in part to the welcoming atmosphere of the participants. I might have spoken a bit too freely during the introduction.
Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in this seminar. To anyone contemplating attending, I would encourage them to come and soak in the fresh air of Karuizawa.
 

Kyung Ann Lee

South Korea

JCR International School provided an excellent opportunity for me, as a junior researcher, to grow through the English presentations and the valuable feedback from the tutor professors. The preparation for the presentations and the in-depth discussions on-site greatly contributed to my development. Moreover, it was a great chance to connect and network with young rheumatologists from Japan and other countries. Karuizawa, Japan, is a beautiful city, and spending time there during the height of summer, surrounded by stunning scenery, felt like a dream. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to JCR for offering such a wonderful opportunity.
 

Miyu Wakatsuki

Japan

In Professor EH Jego’s lecture on presentation tips, I enjoyed learning about how to create presentation slides, how to present effectively, and how to handle Q&A sessions. In the keynote lectures, I was able to comprehensively organize my knowledge through Dr. James Wei’s lecture on axial spondyloarthritis and Dr. Kishimoto’s lecture on late-onset RA.

Learning about the latest research from around the world and engaging in lively Q&A sessions every day was very meaningful. It was also inspiring to see doctors of the same generation achieving significant research milestones. Additionally, there were many opportunities to interact with professors and peers at parties and other events, which allowed me to consider my future career path.

This was my first time presenting in English, and participating in this seminar was a challenge for me, so I was filled with anxiety before my presentation. However, after my presentation, I received many questions and advice from many doctors, and I was glad to have participated.

Although it was only a short period, it was very fulfilling to learn from leading professors in the field of rheumatology, discuss research with peers, and have various interactions. I am deeply grateful to the doctors and organizers for providing such a valuable opportunity. I will work hard in my training every day so that I can participate in this seminar again someday.
 

Nienke Blomberg

The Netherlands

Attending the JCR International School was a very valuable experience and I’m grateful for the opportunity. I enjoyed the variety of presented topics and that us young researchers could participate very actively. Unique for the program was the relatively long time reserved to ask questions after each presentation which was very insightful. I received valuable comments and questions on my presented research data. A sufficient amount of time was also reserved in between presentations to interact with everyone and continue discussions. The days were followed by an evening program to further connect with fellow attendees and the tutors to get to know each other and make valuable connections. I enjoyed attending the International School very much, and would like to thank the organizers for the opportunity.
 

Manaka Goto

Japan

I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the JCR International School. I had discussions with early career rheumatologists in a relaxed and open atmosphere—something that is not so often in typical academic conferences. The presentation topics ranged from clinical and basic research, and the participants’ opinions were diverse. I also learned a great deal about how to express myself and navigate our discussions. Sharing the differences and commonalities in research and clinical career paths among countries was informative and interesting.
Additionally, it was incredibly valuable for me to have the opportunity to interact with tutors and professors from various universities. Their insights were sophisticated and highly educational, providing me with both new ideas and encouragement. I was impressed by their enthusiasm for nurturing young professionals.
Spending three days solely focused on research in the nature-rich environment of Karuizawa was an invaluable experience, providing me with fresh insights and new perspectives. I would like to thank all the participants, tutors, and JCR staff.
 

Takuji Itakura

Japan

Attending the International School 2024 was a meaningful and engaging experience over the course of three days.
Since it was my first time presenting in English, I felt quite nervous at first. However, the workshop’s calm and welcoming atmosphere helped me relax, allowing me to present without feeling too much pressure.
The seminar brought together a diverse group of researchers from various parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, and Japan. Hearing perspectives different from those of my usual colleagues was refreshing. For example, after presentations, there were active discussions that included specific suggestions for experiments and analysis methods, which made the exchanges very insightful.
The presentations and the Q&A sessions were all conducted in English. This allowed me to practice and become more familiar with handling questions in English. By focusing on other researchers’ work, I was also able to take a step back and reflect on my research more objectively, which helped me consider new ways to move forward.
Although I was initially apprehensive, the three days turned out to be both productive and beneficial.
 

 JCR International School Committee