The President of Health Sciences University of Hokkaido Masahiro Asaka addressed in the academic meeting on November 20, 2017 at Khabarovsk Branch of the Russian Presidential Academy (RANEPA). The meeting opened with remarks from the hosting organization represented by Dr. Slavat Suleymanov, Director, Russian-Japanese Medical Center SAIKO and the sponsoring organization represented by Mr. Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Consul General, Consulate-General of Japan in Khabarovsk and by a First officer from Khabarovsk Regional Office, Ministry of Health. Then, President Asaka delivered a speech titled “Prevention of Gastric Cancer in Russia.”

 

Although it was an academic meeting, not only medical professionals but also a large number of ordinary citizens participated as the topic was of high interest to Russians. Even though the opening time of the meeting was rather late based on the local convention, approx. 400 people attended the meeting. The turnout was astonishing and the second-floor seats had to be hastily opened in addition to the initially prepared first-floor seats to accommodate all guests. During the question and answer session, guests asked many sophisticated questions. The meeting was a massive success that was unparalleled in recent years for meetings with medical topics.

 

President Asaka introduced a highly reliable urea breath analyzer for H. pylori detection and H. pylori eradication drugs. After his speech, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., the manufacturer of the analyzer and medicines further explained their products by showing videos.

 

Hokkaido Government, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Far Eastern State Medical University and Institute of postgraduate education for public health specialists co-hosted the meeting. The event was made possible with cooperation by relevant parties.

 

It should be noted that this meeting was approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan as an event preceding the implementation of “Japan Year in Russia.”

 

 

A Russian website reported this seminar meeting with President Asaka. The following is an excerpt from the website:
(source: http://www.fesmu.ru/SITE/files/editor/file/News/News/2211201710.pdf)

 

“(President Asaka) delivered the speech in a presentation format and explained all possible causes (of gastric cancer) explicitly and accurately. His address targeted not only experts but also ordinary audience from all walks of life. It was of high interest to all participants and easy to understand. (partially omitted)
The faculty members and students in the meeting asked President Asaka many intriguing questions. Among them, the most impressive and symbolic one came at the end by the youngest participant. A 7-year old son of a student at Far Eastern State Medical University questioned President Asano, ‘Why is the incidence of Gastric cancer on the increase in Russia?’ Naturally, the question enthralled and touched not only President Asaka but also the entire audiences. Judging from the degree of interest and concern shown by the audience, we can say with absolute confidence that the organizer’s objective ‘to promote the awareness among the public about the importance of early Gastric cancer examination and early detection’ was very well achieved.”