ISTMB : Invitation
Dear Colleagues,
We are honored to invite you to the 7th International Symposium on Tonsils and Mucosal Barriers of the Upper Airways to be held in Asahikawa City, Japan, on July 7-9, 2010.
Over the past few decades since the 1st meeting of this symposium held in Kyoto in 1987, tonsils and their related subjects have kept attracting both researchers and practitioners all over the world from various fields, such as the cause of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, tonsilar focal diseases e.g. IgA nephropathy, palmoplantar pustulosis and other skin disorders, and the carrier focus of respiratory tract infections.
The symposium is designed to provide updates on information concerning tonsils and mucosal immunity. New topics relating to diagnosis and treatment along with new research developments will be addressed at this meeting. Participants will have the opportunity to meet numerous experts on tonsil and mucosal immunity from all over the world. It will also be possible to discuss in the latest issues in this field. I would therefore like to welcome you from all over the world to Asahikawa.
You may not know Asahikawa quite well, so please let me briefly introduce Asahikawa and its surrounding areas. Asahikawa is located nearly in the center of Hokkaido, which is the northernmost island among the 4 main islands of Japan. Unlike other parts of Japan, Hokkaido covers a vast area, and has been known as the new world that has only been developed since the last century. The landscape of the hilly area, Biei, and the Daisetsu Mountain Range, the largest National Park in Japan, have been catching the eye of many domestic tourists and those from abroad as well.
July is the best season for blossoms. After a long and severe winter, the blessings of natures welcome visitors with beautiful scenery.
I am very happy to inform you that fresh seafood and a wide variety of products from the Mother Earth will surely be another enjoyment during your stay in Asahikawa.
Asahikawa warmly welcomes everyone to the Symposium!
Sincerely
Yasuaki Harabuchi, M.D., Ph.D.
President of the 7th ISTMB