Welcome to the Geochemical Society of Japan (GSJ) for those who are joining us. Members would be respected for your science activities and contributions to GSJ. Our society should be recognized not a small one among related ones in the world but rather important one in its quality and scientific achievement. This is not only because the geochemistry is one of the most attracting scientific disciplines but also because our society has been supported by great efforts and high level science of our respectful members for almost 60 yrs. from its birth. The number of the membership of ca. 1,000 has not changed so much provides a clue to the unchanged importance of our society.

The geochemistry covers wide in time and space, which is because our discipline basis, the material cycle is penetrating through space, the earth, environment, and life, and are from the big bang to the present and/or the future. The enthusiasm of the geochemists has been high from its start to understand the abundance of elements, isotopes, and materials, their origin, source/sink processes and their fluxes in terms of material cycles, which has lead other natural sciences also. Its system is composed of observation in situ and remote, sample analysis in laboratories, simulation modeling, on the basis of theoretical chemistry, monitoring and analytical sciences, and simulation experiments. Its scientific system has evolved with their technological innovations of methodology. Its discipline is characterized by its open-mindedness and dynamism.

The most important thing is the development of the science and activity of members which should result in that of our society. As most of the members realize, the research environment is coming severer but the society tries to overcome it with members’ endorsement. Our fall meeting should be developed in accordance with its success, and our presence and scientific importance should also be maintained in scientific meetings such as spring JpGU meeting.

The publication of Geochemical Journal and Chikyu Kagaku is one of most important activities of our society and is expected to be modified in near future accordingly with electronic publication innovations similar to other journals of other societies. New editorial teams and revised systems will encourage promotion of scientific contents and level in addition to the organization refreshments and activations. The collaborations with other domestic and foreign societies should be promoted including co-organization of the Goldschmidt Conferences.

Our society becomes more important even after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. The research field which our society covers such as seismology, environment, resources, natural energy is becoming more and more important. It has been recognized that the societies including ours played significantly important role even in emergency. I, as the President of our society, would like to do my best for the promotion of our open-mindedness and dynamism of our society. Your constructive comments and endorsement will be a great motivation of us, board and councilor members for the organization of our society. Your kind cooperation would be much appreciated.