President's Message

Throughout the 60 years since its founding, the Japanese Association of Special Education has pursued its activities as an academic society dedicated to the enhancement of special education research and practice in Japan. Today, academic research is growing in line with expanding interest in areas such as special needs support and disability. We are seeing a trend toward more diverse and specialized research, together with a greater depth of research in fields including education, psychology, healthcare, and welfare. In this context, our Association serves as a forum for comprehensive academic research that encompasses many different subjects, engaging a wide membership. The changing definition of the term "special education" in the Association's name has long been a topic of discussion, but we have gained a renewed sense of its meaning and significance in expressing a comprehensive, inclusive view of a variety of subjects and fields.

The Association has gradually enhanced and developed its profile of activities including publication of academic journals, promotion of research through scholarships and grants, and efforts to increase internationalization, in addition to the annual conference. In recent years, we have been expected to improve or adjust our operations in order to address emerging needs in areas such as disaster response, infection control, and other types of risk management, as well as the promotion of research ethics, and improvements in accessibility for members with disabilities. Moreover, the growing diversity of work duties and changing role expectations are undeniably reducing the sense of latitude both for researchers working in universities and research institutes, which act as a hub for research activities, and for practitioners in educational institutions where actual practice is conducted.

Under these conditions, I believe we need to formulate new frameworks and approaches to our activities, in order to vitalize the Association and its research activities on an ongoing basis and to maintain and develop our systems of operation. I look forward to all members' active involvement in the Association through activities including the submission of journal papers, conference presentations, and exchange with other members, as well as their cooperation in sustaining and developing the Association into the future.

Takashi Sawa, President
The Japanese Association of Special Education