Newsletter Volume 36, Number 6, 2021

Introduction

　The year 2021 was, in the end, another year of being driven by novel coronaviruses. On the other hand, it was also a year in which we were reminded of the indispensable role of medicine and medical care, including the development of vaccines and therapeutics and the dedicated contributions of healthcare professionals, as well as the responsibility and underlying strength of those who work in these fields. Personally, I was thrilled and satisfied to have the opportunity to be involved in the preparation of vaccines at the university’s vaccination center, and to be able to directly utilize my pharmacist’s license, which had been completely dormant, to help out.

　Last month, the 36th Annual Meeting and 14th Short Course were held online, and I missed the grilled manju, chouhan, and string noodles ・・・・ (for those who don’t know, see Newsletter 35(5) ). The online conference discussions were as lively as ever, and this issue is also filled with the voices of the award winners, so we hope you can feel the highlights of the conference through the newsletter as well. Along with the Annual Meeting, the 17th term officers, including President Tomiyoshi Yamashita and Vice President Masao Kato, were inaugurated. The message from President Yamashita in this issue is worth reading, and his mission for the newsletter is very specific (good luck!). The Newsletter Editorial Board is now in its 7th term, and after some members were replaced, a new structure has been formed. In order to bring our members and the Japanese Pharmacokinetics Society closer together, we will continue to provide a forum for the exchange of information among our members and for the dissemination of information from our members, and we will strive to publish articles that we are glad you read. We look forward to your continued patronage. (M.T.)