INTERNATIONAL SURGICAL WEEK / ISW2011

Welcome Message

On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, it is our greatest honor to host International Surgical Week 2011 (ISW 2011) in Yokohama, Japan, from August 28 to September 1. We would like to extend our heartfelt welcome to all of you. The congress will be held in Japan for the first time in 34 years, as the very second ISW in Japan. Following the ISW tradition, we are now working as one and making every effort possible to lead this congress to success.
Yokohama is one of the port towns in Japan that was open to the world about 150 years ago. Ever since then, it has been one of the major cities in Japan in both business and tourism. Up until now, you will find the unique international culture and history of Yokohama through its modern Western architectures, China Town and the contemporary area where Pacifico Yokohama is located. We assure you that you will be willing to extend your stay once you arrive at Yokohama, just to sightsee and visit places in Japan from Yokohama.
Yokohama has just celebrated its 150th anniversary of the opening of the port in 2009. Back then, people from all over the world started to explore Japan from this very place Yokohama. In the year of 2011, we hope all of you will have chances to gather here and explore the future of surgery by sharing information, skills and knowledge of modern surgery here in Yokohama.
Together in Yokohama, we will be exploring the future of surgery to meet up with the challenges it faces and bring it to the higher level for the sake of human health and welfare. We look forward to seeing all of you in 2011.

Kenneth Boffard President of ISS/SIC, ISW2011 University of Witwatersrand, South Africa	Masaki Kitajima Honorary President of LOC, ISW2011 International University of Health and Welfare, Japan	Masahiko Watanabe President of LOC, ISW2011 Kitasato University, Japan