Dear colleagues and friends,

Spring has come to Japan. I extend warm greetings from the beautiful, full bloom of italiage (cherry blossom).
In this new millenium year, I trust that all Neurosurgreons in Asia have been doing well in their work and family life.
Here, preparations for the 3rd ACNS are going on smoothly. Three weeks ago I attended the International meeting on Neuro-Endoscopy at Marburg in Germany.
Endoscopy which was developed and used for ventriculostomies in cases of hydrocephalus and intraventricular lesions has now become an important accessory to skull base surgery and cerebrovascular surgery. This means that the titles of most papers presented were different than before. Many skull base surgeons and cerebrovascular surgeons have started using the endoscope as a routine procedure.
Thus neurosurgery is rapidly and constantly improving and evolving. How are we going to keep pace with these changes? How can we absorb these technologies quickly and smoothly? The basic requisites for learning these techniques include, firstly, a sound knowledge in computers and secondly, sufficient financial base for purchasing journals and attending international conferences.
Knowledge in computers can be gained easily with a little devotion of time and energy. The financial support is difficult and varies from country to country. We may have a lot of excuses for not standing at the most advanced level of neurosurgery, but the patients are the same in all countries. The patients have the right to receive the best and most advance treatment available. And it is our duty to provide it to them.
So how should we go about improving ourselves? There are too many difficult problems to be solved. Most of these problems cannot be solved by the neurosurgeon alone. The bureaucrats and other governmental and non-governmental organizations will have to step in at the right time and help us.
But, at our level, we can at least help each other by sharing our experiences. We can cooperate and raise our standards. All this for lessening the patient's suffering.
Let us start with mutual cooperation. We look forward to seeing you all at Nagoya in November, not only to learn from each other, but also to establish new friendships, to build a foundation for mutual help and future cooperation.

P. Natarajan

Siva Kumar

　It is a great vision to have a regional neurosurgical association where the problems peculiar to the region can be discussed. It also gives an opportunity to put the neurosurgeons of the region in the forefront. This will help it to command its due recognition in the world body.
ACNS is special because it is mainly for the young neurosurgeons and headed by young neurosurgeons. The expertise and ability of the young neurosurgeons from the Asian countries are highlighted.
I am very happy to learn that the 3rd ACNS meeting - the first of this millenium - is being organised by the Fujita Health University, where I had my training in microneurosurgery in 1983. It is also commendable that the meeting is organised by the young, energetic and able lady Neurosurgeon, Dr.Yoko Kato.
I am sure the meeting is going to be a resounding success, benefitting all the neurosurgeons of the region.

　I am very proud to learn that the 3rd ACNS meeting is being organised by the Fujita Health University where I am currently undergoing training. At the outset I want to say "Thank you" to Prof. Kanno and Prof. Kato for giving me the opportunity. Although I have been here only one week, Fujita Health University has already made a deep impression me. In the Hospital people are kind and friendly. New knowledge and techniques have broadened my view of the field. My colleagues in neuorsurgery work very hard and sincerely. I am sure the experience will be very useful for my future.
I look found to meeting you all at 3rd ACNS.

　I take great pleasure in greeting the ACNS community
　We Asians have a lot in common. Our histories and genealogies are inter-related. Our cultures are eclectic and colorful. Many of us share a colonial past, which, to a great extent, has shaped our countries into what they are today. Our economies are also inter-related and we are still reeling from the financial crisis in our region.
　In matters of healthcare, many of us suffer the same lack of resources to meet the basic health needs of our own people. Many Asians still do not have access to life-saving neurosurgical facilities.
　That is why there is good reason for the Neurosurgeons of Asia to join together in cooperation. We can learn from each other. And we can assist each other.
　In sharing our resources and experiences, we can become a strong force for the improvement of the Specialty in our region. In the process of improving ourselves, we can achieve our common goal: Excellent Neurosurgical Care for the Peoples of Asia.

　I will stay in Japan for 3months as ctrainirgg nurse at operating the at F.H.U.

　My name is Tang Huan Ying. I come from the Neurosurgery Department of Tianjin Medical College Hospital in China.
　I am very grateful to Prof. Kanno dor giving me this opportunity to study here.
　Three months training is short, but I feel I have learned a lot. During my stay, I learned many new things that I do not usually see in China.
　First of all, the equipment is very modern and I can see that it greatly improves the quality of patient care. Secondly, and perhaps more important, the Japanese nurses love their job and they put their heart into their work. 　Here, the patient is treated like a king. All I have learned I am bringing back to China with me in order to better serve my patients. I once again wish to thank Prof. Kanno and Associate Prof. Kato for helping me and taking good care of me.

　I come from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Suchou Medical College and my name is Tan Li Ping. I am very happy to nave had the opportunity to train as a fellow at Fujita Health Universitys Department of Neurosurgery by the invitation of Professor Kanno.
　I feel I have gained much from this experience. During my 3 month's stay, I had duties in Ward 14A, Ward 14B, and the ICU. Working with the nurses there, I saw how patient care was given such a high priority. In the ICU, I was deeply impressed by the high level of knowledge and skill displayed by the nueses, as well as by the modern medical equipment that they used.
　During my short stay, I was able to establish strong of friendship with my Japanese colleagues. I know this friendship will last for a very long time. 　Three months went by swiftly, and soon it was time for me to return to my homeland, China.
　I wish to thank Prof. Kanno and Associate Prof. Kato and all the staff of the Department for their help and care.

　We would like to meet you in Nagoya for the 4th ACNS/AWNA in November. There will be many useful and practical lectures by senior leaders of the Neurosurgical area, and excellent presentations by young neurosurgeons from many Asian countries. We hope that we shall have active discussions there. I also would like to join the members of the AWNA and have a good time as a secretary of the AWNA. Let us talk and exchange information regarding the role of women neurosurgeons in each country.

Fujita Health University - Chinese University Joint Neurosurgery Research Group Meeting in Hong Kong, 11-12 August 2000

(1) Friday 11th August (6-7 p.m.)

Tumour Histopathology Meeting

(2) Saturday 12th August (3-6 p.m.)

Prof. Tetsuo KANNO:
Endoscopic assisted microsurgery for lesions in the C-P angle

Associate Prof. Yoko KATO:
Endoscopic assisted microsurgery for cerebral aneurysms

Assistant Prof. Kazunao Onouchi:
The utilization of the personal computer in neurosurgical care. -Especially in theimage processing-(10minutes)

Assistant Prof. Motoharu Hayakawa:
Multi-slice CT

Dr. Hiroshi Kigawa:
A new approach for treatment of brain hemorrhage-Hyperbaric oxygenation to determine suitability for surgery-especially surgery　assisted by real time CT and endoscopy-

Dr. Sadayoshi Watanabe:
Dorsul Column Stimulation

Introduction of practicing of nursing care

Nurse. Sadayoshi Sakakibara:
Introduct to practicing of nursing.

Nurse. Masami Nitoda, Nurse. Yuriko Hibino:
Post-operative Care in Neurosurgery: Nursing perspective

Nurse. Junko Nakamura, Nurse. Rika Murase:
The Mental process of the family of a brain dead patient