Message from Dr. Masafumi ShiraiHonorary President, APSIR
7th Biennial Asia-Pacific Meeting on Impotence
Message from Dr. Masafumi Shirai
Honorary President, APSIR
The study of sexual function has a long history in Asia. In particular, various studies on sustaining sexual function throughout life and on the prevention of aging and the attainment of longevity have been conducted in China since prehistory. As a result, a variety of therapeutic modalities have been developed and handed down over generations as part of traditional Chinese medicine. However, in medieval times, religion and morals governed society and in Asian countries strongly influenced by Confucianism sex has been regarded as a taboo subject. This influence exists today and many people have conservative attitudes toward various issues relating to sex.
However, it appears likely that serious scientific research on male sexual function began in Asia and Western countries at around the same time. In Japan, fundamental research on erectile dysfunction (ED) diagnosis and therapy is keeping pace with similar research in the West.
With the recent clarification of the mechanism of erection and ejaculation, the results of basic studies have been applied clinically, leading to remarkable progress in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. One example is sildenafil (Viagra) in the treatment of ED. Due to increased public awareness, there has been a drastic rise in the number of patients seeking treatment for ED.
Investigators worldwide who specialize in the study of sexual dysfunction formed the International Society of Impotence Research (ISIR) and held the first ISIR World Meeting on Impotence in Paris in 1984. The meeting has been held biennially since that time. The Japanese Society for Impotence Research (JSIR) was established in 1978, and Asia-Pacific investigators formed the Asia-Pacific Society for Impotence Research (APSIR) and held their first APSIR meeting on impotence in Hong Kong in 1987. Since then, investigators in the Asia-Pacific region have met biennially to report on their latest research results in Seoul, Taipei, Denpasar, Perth, and Kuala Lumpur. The number of participants has increased with each meeting, as has the size of the society. Consequently, the scale of the meeting has become more impressive each year.
We are very pleased and honoured to hold the 7th APSIR Meeting on Impotence in Tokyo. Furthermore, we believe that it is significant that Asia-Pacific investigators with shared values on the subject of sex will announce their latest results and deepen mutual friendships. I hope that numerous researchers will participate in the Tokyo meeting.
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