The Shiga International Symposium on Diabetic Nephropathy was held on March 20-21, 2008 in Otsu City, hosted by Shiga University of Medical Science. The theme of the conference was “Developing Current Concepts into Future Therapeutic Strategies.”

Diabetic nephropathy is the first cause of renal failure in developed countries. At this meeting, eleven guests were invited from overseas and nine from Japan, and many papers by other researchers were submitted to the conference both from Japan and abroad. The participants conferred on the results of their clinically proven research. In addition, current research topics, in search of new treatments, were actively discussed.

We trust that President Ryuichi Kikkawa, who is also president of this meeting, together with Prof. Carl Erik Mogensen, the guest of honor from Denmark, and the many other keen symposium participants (see photos), will long continue their important studies for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.