September 2025
Tetsuya Yokoyama
Upon assuming the presidency of the Geochemical Society of Japan, I would like to extend my greetings to all members.
Our Society’s origins date back to 1953, when the Geochemical Study Group was established. Ten years later, in 1963, the group adopted its current name, thereby laying a solid foundation for our community. In 2017, the Society became the Geochemical Society of Japan, a general incorporated association. Serving as president of this society, which has now existed for over 70 years, is a great honor and a heavy responsibility. I am determined to devote myself wholeheartedly over the next two years and feel a strong sense of duty.
During the recent board election, I presented my vision for the Society. Allow me to restate the key points of my presidential policy.
First, I aim to make our society open, accessible, and attractive to all members.
At the evening forum of the 2024 Annual Meeting at Kanazawa University, members discussed the decline in membership and the perceived decline in interest in geochemistry among younger generations. Through this discussion, I was reminded that researchers at all career stages are motivated to contribute to our field. I will encourage leading researchers to promote the value of geochemistry and ensure that their enthusiasm is passed on to the next generation to sustain a positive cycle of engagement.
Second, I will improve membership services.
Current benefits include delivery of our domestic journal, reduced registration fees for meetings, and a system of academic awards. I plan to enrich these services further to make them more tangible and appealing. For instance, we plan to enhance the video content available to members on our updated Society website. Additionally, we plan to continue improving the long-standing Japanese journal “Chikyukagaku” so that it remains an attractive publication for our community.
Third, I will focus on supporting young researchers.
Early-career members are highly motivated, and many have expressed a desire to strengthen their networks. In response, the Society’s Young Researchers’ Group activities resumed in early 2024, followed by a successful meeting at Shinshu University in March 2025. Another meeting is planned for March 2026 at Nagoya University. I will actively support these initiatives, which are essential for nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Finally, I will promote internationalization further and enhance the global presence of our society.
Building on our experience organizing joint symposia under memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with China, Korea, and Taiwan, we will expand our geochemistry network in East Asia. We will also strengthen our collaborations with the Geochemical Society (GS) and the European Association of Geochemistry (EAG) through the Goldschmidt Conference. I am pleased to announce that the Goldschmidt Conference will take place in Tokyo in July 2028. This will be the third time Japan has hosted the conference, following events held in Kurashiki in 2003 and Yokohama in 2016. The Geochemical Society of Japan has signed an agreement with the Geochemical Society and will serve as the local organizing committee (LOC) for the Tokyo meeting. The next two years will be a crucial period of preparation. Although the conference system has become more streamlined and efficient than in previous years, strategic planning is essential so that Goldschmidt 2028 leaves a lasting impression on participants and becomes a memorable milestone in our field. This meeting is also a unique opportunity to showcase the Japanese geochemical community internationally. To make this possible, I sincerely ask for the active involvement of all members, from early-career researchers to senior colleagues, in proposing sessions, organizing workshops, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.
I will do my utmost to ensure that the Geochemical Society of Japan continues to be a “comfortable home” for all members. I deeply appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and continued support.