Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology (JSID), the host society for International Investigative Dermatology (IID) 2008, the joint meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) and the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) are very pleased to announce the fifth joint meeting of the three societies. This intriguing meeting was formerly known as the Tri-Continental Meeting of Investigative Dermatology, and has been designated as IID since 1998. This is the only meeting of the SID, ESDR and JSID in 2008, making this the only major venue for the presentation of the latest information on cutaneous biology and skin diseases. The program is widely based on any of the basic and clinical dermatological fields. Your active participation is essential to the success of the meeting.

Kyoto is one of the most traditional places in Japan as well as an even currently active city. It is a place where you can truly enjoy the depth of Japanese culture and art. Their Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines offer the opportunity to experience the Japanese atmosphere more than 1000 years ago. You can enjoy many beautiful Japanese gardens as well. You are right on time for Aoi Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three major festivals, which is May 15. The festival has a history of longer than 1000 years. The elegant manner of the envoy and aristocrats in authentic historical costumes parading the city gives you a glimpse of old-style Kyoto.

The JSID would like to express our sincere thanks to the members of the international committees, the business offices of the individual Societies, and our sponsors to kindly cooperate to organize this meeting.

We are pleased to welcome all of you to Kyoto.

Shinji Shimada, MD, PhD
President of JSID