I am most pleased to have the honor of attending this ceremony celebrating the 50th general meeting of the Japanese Society of Child Neurology and the International Symposium, which is being held here today with many participants from inside and outside Japan.
I have been told that the Japanese Society of Child Neurology was founded in 1961, making it one of the oldest academic societies worldwide related to pediatric neurology, with the goal of studying and discussing issues of development, and wide range of neurological disorders afflicting children. Since then, this meeting has been held annually with very educational and productive discussions leading to extraordinary global contributions to the field, and of this you can all be very proud.
The 21st century has been called “The Century of the Mind”and the health of the human mind needs to be protected. As a father, I am constantly amazed by the day-to-day changes in my own child, and enormous potential that children have. Children, with their remarkable development and unlimited possibilities require medical approaches different from those applied to adults. I hope that every single child will be treated as a precious treasure. I also hope that all children will be protected, cherished and raised in the best possible environment.
>>107 つづき I am concerned with recent news of the shortage of doctors, especially pediatricians, in Japan. It is with great confidence that I understand that all those present today have fulfilled their mission for the children and their families. It is my wish that in the future the many children and their families without exception will be delivered from their troubles and illnesses and that they may then be able to live healthy lives.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere hope that this congress will produce fruitful results and lead to further clinical and research developments in child neurology, and thereby contribute to the well-being of humankind.
Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of the ceremony celebrating the 50th meeting of the Japanese Society of Child Neurology and the International Symposium Thursday, May 29, 2008 Hotel Nikko Tokyo