Yoshiki Kudo
Chair
Japan Placenta Association
Studies of placenta began with observation of its form. Among them, several papers from a perspective of electron microscopy were published first from UK in 1954, and US and Japan in the following year. In 1979, for the purpose of studying placenta, the Workshop for Electron Microscopy of Placenta was founded in Japan with the leadership of Professor Soma from Tokyo Medical University and Professor Taki from Osaka University. The group transitioned to the Society for Functions and Morphology of Gynecology in 1986, Japan Society for Studies of Placenta in 1993, and current Japan Placenta Association (JPA) in 2000. In the meantime, starting with its first conference in Belgium in 1995, the International Federation of Placenta Association’s (IFPA) conference is held annually. JPA became its host in 1999 (Tokyo), 2006 (Kobe), 2012 (Hiroshima), and 2018 (Tokyo). Before IFPA was organized, Professor Soma held “International Conference of Placenta in Tokyo” which is placed as the predecessor of IFPA. Though majority of participants of JPA conferences are obstetricians, a majority of participants of IFPA conferences are basic researchers of placenta studies. We are expecting young members of JPA to enhance the sense of presence of Japanese placental studies in the IFPA conferences. Additionally, through further studies, we expect to promote the health of mothers and the happiness of the coming generations.
Yoshiki Kudo
Chair, Japan Placenta Association
