Japanese Society of Child Health Nursing

In 2008, Japan's population began to decline. While the number of children is also decreasing every year, 1 out of 6 to 7 children are living in relative poverty, which is the worst ratio among OECD countries. In 2020, the number of children who committed suicide was 415, and the number of elementary and middle school students who were unable to attend school was more than 190,000, the highest figures ever. Meanwhile, Generation Z has emerged as a generation that has grown up accustomed to getting information from the internet and interacting with others using social media. In this way, the framework of children's upbringing and lifestyles has almost changed entirely compared to 30 years ago. At the same time and coupled with these changes, pediatric nursing, basic and in-service education, laws and systems are also undergoing various transitions.

In addition to all these factors, the world is undergoing considerable change due to COVID-19.

Pediatric nursing on-site and the field's surrounding conditions are likely to change significantly in the next few years. To be able to watch over and support children who will be the citizens of tomorrow through various stages of their life, we must focus on the changes that are happening now, and make it our mission to anticipate the future and strengthen or even restructure our society.

The goals of our society can be summed up as follows: to steadily improve the quality of pediatric nursing activities; and to facilitate the growth of academic results that will serve as the foundation of these activities and lead to their development towards the next stages.

I believe that through their own resolve, members of our society, based on their individual interests, spheres of activity, and purposes, will maintain a balance in their roles that are in line with both of our society's goals. I also believe that we all have the same mission of ultimately passing on our achievements and results to our colleagues who share the same resolve. This clear resolve makes our society's existence possible, and will lead to the realization of our aim of contributing to children's health and welfare.

The role of our society is considerable and important, and we will strive to fulfill it steadily and surely with everyone's cooperation. I take this opportunity to ask for your active participation, understanding and support of our society.

Hitoshi Shiwaku, R.N., PHN, Ph.D
President of JSCHN