The Japan Diabetes Society (JDS) was established as a voluntary association in April 1958 with the purpose of encouraging the progress and development of the study of diabetes and ultimately preventing suffering among the people of Japan. At the time, Japan was still in a state of postwar recovery and the disease of diabetes was not being given much attention. Nevertheless, having already foreseen that the number of diabetics would increase with the lifestyle changes that would certainly accompany the coming economic growth, early members of JDS were pressing forward earnestly with research into the origin and treatment of diabetes in Japan while studying research results from the West and working to translate their findings into clinical applications. Following its establishment, JDS strove to disseminate an accurate understanding of diabetes by holding academic and scientific meetings, publishing its own journal, Tonyobyo (“Diabetes”) and issuing handouts such as Food Exchange Lists—Dietary Guidance for Persons with Diabetes, as well as other initiatives.

Japan’s subsequent rapid economic growth and the quick Westernization of lifestyles led to a rapid rise in the number of diabetics, to the extent that diabetes gradually came to be known as a national disease. This prompted JDS to begin a new journey in 1985 as an incorporated association with over 3,500 members in order to increase its sponsorship of academic conferences and better fulfill its social mission as an academic and scientific organization. Two decades later, JDS celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007, and its current membership now stands at more than 16,000.

During the 50 years since its founding, JDS has continued to develop academic research programs relating to the origins and treatment of diabetes and has undertaken activities aimed at improving the environment in which diabetes treatment takes place in order to fulfill its social mission. In 1989, JDS started a program to credential board certified diabetologists, aiming to help nurture highly knowledgeable and experienced diabetes specialists skilled in treating diabetes. Currently, there are over 3,700 board certified diabetologists throughout Japan who have been credentialed through this program.

In a cooperative effort in 2000, JDS, the Japan Academy of Diabetes Education and Nursing, and the Japan Society of Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition established the Japanese Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (JCBDE) with the aim of fostering highly knowledgeable and experienced nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, clinical laboratory technologists, physical therapists, and other co-medical staff and promoting team-based medical care to improve the entire environment in which diabetes is treated. At present, there are over 12,000 board certified diabetes educators active in Japan.

Japan’s national government has ranked diabetes as a major disease in its “Healthy Japan 21 Policy.” In response, in February 2005 the Japan Medical Association, JDS, and the Japan Association for Diabetes Education and Care jointly established the Japan Promotion Council for Diabetes Prevention and Countermeasures, and gave it the goal of preventing the onset of the disease and its complications. In cooperation with the 160,000 members of the Japan Medical Association, efforts to promote diabetes countermeasures are making progress.

Through 50 years of activity on the part of the JDS, the caliber of diabetes-related academic research and treatment in Japan has advanced to the point where it now exceeds that in Western countries. Even so, the number of diabetic patients has continued to rise in Japan. There are now approximately 8.2 million people suffering from the disease, with an estimated total of about 18.7 million people including pre-diabetic subjects. I am determined to push diabetes countermeasures a step forward through broad-based cooperation with society based on the “Tokyo Declaration 2008: STOP the DM.” Additionally, with diabetes increasing worldwide and the UN’s Unite for Diabetes campaign moving ahead, JDS is being expected to play a major role internationally in cooperation with IDF, ADA, and EASD. JDS must therefore demonstrate leadership in the fight against diabetes, especially in Asia, where it is anticipated that the incidence of diabetes will increase rapidly. At the same time, the great progress being made now is encouraging hopes for a complete elucidation of the origin of diabetes and the development of ultimate treatment and prevention methods. JDS is resolved to continue working hand-in-hand with its members and together with the public and society on the challenge of bringing these hopes to fruition as soon as possible. At this starting point for the JDS’s new half century, I myself have redoubled my sincere resolve to do my utmost to help achieve the Society’s missions, including further developing academic research on diabetes in Japan, improving diabetes treatments and prevention, and helping to foster the human resources who will take charge of the future. I ask for the understanding, cooperation, and guidance of the Society’s members.