Thank you for your sympathy for the affected people by the earthquakes and tsunami. Although the damaged nuclear power plant has not yet been well controlled, we believe they will manage the damaged nuclear plants soon.

We decided to hold the 18th International Congress of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology as planned. For your consideration, I introduce the following official Home Page of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.
http://www.mext.go.jp/english/radioactivity_level/index.htm
http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/flyjapan_en/airport_sokutei.html
As you see, Hiroshima is the lowest level and it is as usual.

We heard that the flights to Japan are decreasing recently.
We have 2 international airports as the gateway to Japan; Tokyo, actually it has 2 international airports Narita airport and Haneda airport, and Osaka Kansai airport. Fukuoka airport in Kyushu is connected to the Asian big cities. Hiroshima airport is small but international, connected to Inchon Seoul in South Korea, Shanghai and Beijing via Dalian in China, and Taipei in Chinese Taipei (Taiwan). Please visit the “Transportation”in the left column.

You are most welcome!

Best wishes from Hiroshima,

Keiji Tanimoto, President of 18th ICDMFR

Dear Members of IADMFR

Keiji TANIMOTO, DDS, PhD, President of IADMFRIt is my honour and great pleasure to invite you to Hiroshima for the 18th International Congress of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology from 26th to 29th May 2011 .

First of all, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Keiji Tanimoto, I was born in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Since graduating from Hiroshima University, I have worked at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hiroshima University for more than 30 years. As one of the Hiroshima citizens, it was my dream to hold the ICDMFR in Hiroshima. This dream has now come true! I really appreciate that the members of IADMFR voted for Hiroshima as the venue for the 18th ICDMFR!

As you know, Hiroshima suffered Atomic bombing on August 6th 1945. Because of this most tragic event, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony started in 1947. We all know the miseries that the A-bomb caused. The survivors of the A-bomb, called “Hibaku-sha” in Japanese, have talked of their terrible experiences to the all generations since that event. On 6th August 2009, the City Mayor of Hiroshima, Tadatoshi Akiba, declared “We have the power. We have the responsibility. And we are the Obamajority. Together, we can abolish nuclear weapons. Yes, we can.” We like people, we hate weapons, we feel sorry to hear the tragedies of wars which still occur in the world. We aspire to create a world of peace and friendship. That is why I have made “Radiation and Peace”the theme of the 18th ICDMFR. IADMFR members teach and work with the radiation biology, radiation physics, radiation chemistry, radiological diagnosis and radiation treatment.

The theme of 17th ICDMFR was “Imaging in perspective”. This Congress was so well organized and all who attended thoroughly appreciated it. The evaluation and research of human radiation exposure has been developed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hiroshima has two well-known institutes called “Radiation Effect Research Foundation” and “Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine attached to Hiroshima University”. I plan to invite several researchers from those institutions as guest speakers. In the limited area of maxillofacial region, the development of CBCT has been incredible. The machine itself has become compact; almost the same size as panoramic machines, and its cost has also gone down. I hope almost all departments can afford to purchase this equipment. Hand held x-ray machines are also now available. The equipment we use is continually developing by the manufacturers co-operation with our distinguished researchers. We are expecting to have many presentations ranging from basic studies to cutting edge topics. Having achieved many goals in our field, now is the time to expand our professional horizons by seeking new challenges. We have a plan for immediately establishing a good rapport with those working in other dental and medical fields. We are very keen to invite these academic challenges from our colleagues as well as those from researchers in other major fields to the 18th ICDMFR

To visit Hiroshima and see how it was destroyed and has recovered will give you something very special, particularly as the venue of the 18th ICDMFR is situated next to the museum in the Peace Memorial Park.

The members of the organizing committee are now working hard to host your stay in Hiroshima, and to make your visit as warm as possible. We are very proud of having IADMFR members in Hiroshima. You are most welcome!

Best wishes,

Keiji TANIMOTO, DDS, PhD, President of IADMFR