Message from President
April 2025
In recent years, our society has seen a steady increase in young membership, with the number of student members now reaching 80. Against this encouraging backdrop, the 2024 Annual Meeting held in Hakodate, Hokkaido, proved to be a vibrant and inspiring event, energized by the enthusiasm and active participation of these younger members. I am truly pleased with this positive development.
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Professor Satoshi Wada (Hokkaido University) and the members of the organizing committee for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in making this meeting a great success.
At the meeting, the Best Oral Presentation Award was presented to: Masami M. Tamechika, Yoichi Yusa, Shingo Akita, Satoshi Wada, and Masashi Sekino "Microsatellite DNA markers for paternity identification in the intertidal barnacle Chthamalus challengeri."
The Best Poster Presentation Award was presented to: Fuko Okuno and Satoshi Wada "Wait a few minutes, not now!: Mating refusal of Chthamalus challengeri."
The Best Paper Prize (2024) was awarded to Sanda T., Shimizu T., Dan S., and Hamasaki K. (2021) "Effect of body size on cannibalism in juvenile mud crab Scylla serrata (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) under laboratory conditions." published in Crustacean Research, Volume 50: 87-93.
The Education Contribution Award (2024) was presented to Mr. Hitoshi Ikeda, Director of the Hayama Shiosai Museum. Mr. Ikeda has contributed energetically to research and education on marine life-particularly crustaceans-for many years. His outstanding work includes managing exhibition halls (both permanent and special exhibits related to marine biology), organizing educational outreach activities such as observation sessions and lectures, and publishing encyclopedias and science education books.
Congratulations to all award recipients for their outstanding achievements.
Congratulations to all award recipients for their outstanding achievements.
Crustacean Research, Volume 53, was published in December 2024, featuring 16 articles. I extend my deepest gratitude to Professor Tohru Naruse (University of the Ryukyus) for his dedicated service as editor of the journal.
CANCER, Volume 52, was published in August 2023 and continues to flourish under the expert guidance of Dr. Yuzo Ohta and Dr. Tetsuya Sanda. I am grateful for their continued commitment and editorial excellence.
The Crustacean Society (TCS) and the Carcinological Society of Japan have further deepened their relationship by formally establishing a sister society status through the appointment of a liaison officer.
The TCS Summer Meeting 2024 was held in Taiwan from May 27 to June 1. This marked the fourth time the meeting was held in Asia, following previous events in Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. It was truly a remarkable occasion. I extend my sincere respect to Dr. Benny KK Chan and the organizing committee for holding this event. During this meeting, we hosted the symposium titled "Frontiers in Crustacean Biology: Asian Perspectives." This was the fourth in the symposium series, following earlier sessions held at the 55th Annual Meeting of the Carcinological Society of Japan (2017), the TCS Summer Meeting in Hong Kong (2019), and the 10th International Crustacean Congress in New Zealand (2023).
The 15th International Conference on Copepoda was held in Hiroshima from June 2 to 7, 2024. The Carcinological Society of Japan supported the event as one of the sponsoring organizations, including advertisements and financial assistance. I attended the conference, and it was truly impressive, with a wide variety of rich programs and many participants from around the world. I would like to extend my sincere respect to Professor Susumu Ohtsuka of Hiroshima University and the organizeing committee to hold such an excellent international conference on crustaceans here in Japan
Last year, a great symposium was held, organized by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Kyoto University, with the Carcinological Society of Japan as one of the supporting organizations. The International Biological Prize, organized by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, is awarded to distinguished biologists, particularly those in the field of natural history, and this year marks the 40th occasion of the award. Dr. Angelika Brandt (Senckenberg Museum) has been selected as this year's recipient.
Dr. Brandt is a specialist in the taxonomy of isopods and is currently at the Senckenberg Museum, where she succeeded the renowned crustacean expert Prof. Michael Tuerkay. She has become a global leader in deep-sea biodiversity research in Antarctica, with numerous research achievements, which led to this award. Dr. Brandt has also held important positions such as European Governor of TCS and frequently presents her research at events like the TCS Summer Meeting and the International Crustacean Congress.
In celebration of this award, a symposium was held in Kyoto, organized by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Kyoto University. At this symposium, experts in deep-sea research, Himalayan research, and tropical research, as well as taxonomists specializing in microbes, algae, fungi, animals, and plants, gathered from both within Japan and abroad to give lectures from various perspectives on the evolution and diversity of life on Earth.
I provided Dr. Brandt guidance around Kyoto University and assistance at the symposium as her old friend.
Akira Asakura,
President, Carcinological Society of Japan
Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University