Reflections on the 4th Academic Conference of the Japanese Society of Industrial Health Law
Well, this is the 82nd time… And here we are, folks! Gather ‘round for a tale not just of unusual conference proceedings, but of the heroic struggles and bureaucratic battles faced by our intrepid secretary general, Koji Kandabashi. Now, if you think preparing for a conference might be a walk in the park, think again. It’s more like a jog through a minefield while juggling flaming swords. Surprise! 🎪
The Odd Bunch of the Society
Kandabashi paints quite a picture of a society where lawyers are in short supply but industrial physicians are in abundance. One wonders, is this legal society or a medical field day gone rogue? It’s as if someone mixed academia with a medley of “ER” and “Law & Order” and said, “Let’s make this interesting!” What’s next? A panel on How to Lose Friends and Alienate Your Colleagues? But I digress!
Oh, the Joy of Planning
Now, scheduling this behemoth was a task that would make even the most organized individual break into a cold sweat. Just imagine deciding themes and programs while everyone with a degree in something related is having a go at you. This year’s theme, “Industrial health disparities and the law – Thinking about countermeasures for backrunners across eras,” sounds about as light-heartedly festive as a root canal. But this is serious business! We’re talking about “no one left behind,” folks. If they run a marathon, we want to ensure each runner has a chance to breathe! And don’t even get me started on planning committee meetings—where chaos reigns supreme and sanity is just a punchline.
The “Mock Trial” and Other Shenanigans
Then come the “Mock Trials.” Now, that’s a smooth operation if I ever heard one! Pitting the company against the worker like it’s an episode of Battle of the Boring Bureaucracies. Seriously, where do we sign up for fights like that? Honestly, who needs gladiatorial games when you’ve got attorneys squaring off over lunch breaks? Forget popcorn; I want a front-row seat!
Administrative Nightmare or Delight?
Ah, the lovely world of registration fees and sponsor hunts! Seems like Kandabashi had just about enough of “sideways behavior” from folks in high places. Oh, the joy of herding cats! “Sorry, Sir, your sponsorship check is lost somewhere between here and oblivion!” At this point, his wife deserves a medal for her heroics. I can imagine Kandabashi at home: “Honey, could you help me tackle this sprawl of emails while I charm the pants off our sponsors?” Quite romantic under the fluorescent lights of stress and deadline!
Success Amidst Chaos
But wait—bright side! They managed to increase attendance by 200 people! A whopping 1,100 attendees! And they didn’t even go into the red. It’s almost as if chaos is a great motivational speaker! “Come forth and learn about industrial health,” it chirps, “and maybe—just maybe—you’ll come out alive!” 🎉
Moreover, as Kandabashi prepares to hand over the reins, we can only imagine the suspense that comes with collecting that final income report. Enter cliffhanger!
Final Thoughts
You know, folks, pulling off a conference like this is no small feat. Whether you love it, hate it, or secretly revel in the delightful mess that it is, you’ve got to hand it to these folks—we’re not just talking spreadsheets and participant lists here; it’s about real people, real struggles, and the sweet, sweet victory over administrative chaos. Here’s to the next academic gathering—and to Koji Kandabashi, who bravely navigated the stormy seas of academic bureaucracy!
Next year will be at Kitasato University, ladies and gentlemen, same circus, different clowns! Let’s hope they remember to schedule lunch breaks!
Well, this marks the 82nd occurrence of a significant event in our journey.
Throughout the past year, I’ve been diligently preparing for my role as secretary general for the 4th Academic Conference of the Japanese Society of Industrial Health Law, which took place over the weekend of September 21st and 22nd, 2024. This organization stands out in the landscape of academic societies; while it focuses on legal issues, it lacks an abundance of traditional lawyers, particularly those specializing in workers’ rights, and labor law scholars. Instead, it boasts a significant number of industrial physicians, and the ranks are bolstered by industrial health nurses. Given the society’s recent inception, its operational processes are not fully streamlined. Initially, I contemplated declining the role, having received feedback about its considerable challenges. However, considering my passion for embracing novel experiences, I opted to prioritize this commitment over my other responsibilities and dedicated significant effort to this position.
Preparations for the conference kicked off promptly after the conclusion of last year’s 3rd Academic Conference. Once I assumed the responsibilities from my predecessor, I consulted with the 4th Chairman, Hajime Yoshida from Tenma Law Office, to outline our common themes and programs, including the diverse symposiums and collaborative academic conference frameworks.
The chosen theme for this year’s conference was “Industrial Health Disparities and the Law – Exploring Countermeasures for Backrunners Across Eras.” The term “backrunner,” although infrequently encountered in the medical realm, delineates individuals who are least likely to reap the advantages associated with conventional industrial health programs. This category encompasses employees of small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed gig workers, such as those delivering lunch boxes through digital platforms. From the viewpoint of industrial health professionals, it emphasizes the imperative of “industrial health that leaves no one behind,” which aligns harmoniously with the ethos of primary care prioritizing inclusivity.
Next, people from both medical and legal fields were selected to populate the planning committee. Simultaneously, we reached out to previous collaborators and began recruiting fresh participants to ensure a diverse and robust attendance. The planning committee members convened via web conference, pairing one legal expert with one healthcare professional, collaboratively deciding the programs they would lead. The specifics surrounding program content and selected speakers were left largely to the discretion of each committee member.
Scheduling then became our priority. With four simultaneous rooms available—two accommodating up to 300 participants, and two for smaller gatherings of around 80—we strategically aligned programs to maximize audience engagement. For instance, we anticipated that lectures offering credit for Japan Medical Association-certified industrial physicians would draw in many non-member industrial physicians, prompting their allocation to larger rooms.
An intriguing component of the conference was the “Mock Trial” segment, a rare feature at clinical conferences. In this innovative setup, we constructed a fictitious labor dispute presented in court, allowing both the company and the worker sides to articulate their arguments. The fate of the case hinged on audience votes, creating an engaging dynamic that has garnered popularity since its inception, now familiar in the context of the Japan Society of Industrial Hygiene.
Just as I thought I had finalized an effective schedule, I was presented with a new project proposal from a senior member which necessitated additional adjustments due to overlapping performer commitments. Consequently, we ended up with an industrious program that left no time for a lunch break.
The aspect that caused me the most distress was the “sideways behavior” exhibited by those in authoritative positions.
This wasn’t the end of our challenges; we still had two significant responsibilities ahead of us: attracting participants and securing sponsors.
Alongside planning committee members, we launched promotions for the conference, reaching out to various organizations and media outlets. Regular posts on social media platforms have also been part of our efforts. The secretariat team’s initial task was to draft a foundational request letter. Notably, in previous conferences, we hadn’t tracked daily participant data, but this year we made the strategic decision to generate daily graphs for future reference.
Identifying prospective sponsors was another hurdle. Unlike traditional medical academic societies, we couldn’t rely on pharmaceutical companies or bookstores for financial support. Instead, we leveraged the networks of planning committee members, venturing to reach out to various potentials, with the secretariat compiling progress reports.
The number of participants increased by approximately 200 attendees.
Ultimately, our participant count surged by about 200, culminating in a total of 1,100 attendees. We successfully evaded budgetary concerns over potential losses that had previously haunted us. Only after meticulously refining and passing on the materials I inherited from my predecessor did I find a sense of relief.
I would like to extend my profound gratitude to the entire secretariat team for their tireless efforts, though I won’t enumerate names here. Looking ahead, plans are already underway for next year’s conference, scheduled for September 20th and 21st, 2025, which will take place at Kitasato University Shirokane Campus.
However, having navigated the complexities of orchestrating an academic society event with 1,000 members, I recognized that the challenges are equally daunting for secretariats in other organizations. Despite the hurdles faced, it was indeed a valuable experience (although, if I’m honest, I still have yet to complete the final income and expenditure report, which lingers on my to-do list).
Koji Kandabashi
Born in 1967, graduated from the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo in 1992, and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo in 1999. After training at the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Tokyo Hospital, he entered the First Department of Internal Medicine, the University of Tokyo, and then the Department of Hematology and Oncology. After training at a hospital in Tokyo, he became an assistant professor in the sterile treatment department at the University of Tokyo Hospital from 2008 to 2011. Worked at Toshima Showa Hospital since 2011, and established DB-SeeD LLC in 2015.
What strategies can conference organizers implement to increase attendance and engagement from participants?
Imately 200 compared to the previous year, which brought our total attendance to around 1,100 individuals! It was genuinely rewarding to see the conference resonate with so many participants, and to know that our efforts in promoting the event paid off in such a meaningful way.
As I reflect on this whole experience, I can’t help but feel a mixture of relief and pride. The journey was undeniably tumultuous—filled with last-minute changes, relentless negotiations, and a never-ending influx of emails. Yet, amid the chaos, I discovered a newfound appreciation for the collaborative spirit and the determination of my fellow committee members. We came together across disciplines, united by a common goal of ensuring that “no one is left behind” in our pursuit of industrial health equality—no matter how many obstacles we faced.
Now that the conference has wrapped up, I can finally breathe a little easier. Handing over the reins to the next secretary general brings both excitement and trepidation. I hope they will be able to navigate this intricate web of bureaucracy and enthusiasm just as we did. And as I step away from this role, I can take comfort in knowing that I embraced the challenge head-on, grew from the experience, and perhaps even contributed to a more equitable understanding of industrial health.
while I wouldn’t want to relive the stress of planning this conference anytime soon, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something so impactful. As we gear up for next year’s event at Kitasato University, I’ll be cheering from the sidelines—and maybe sending a few pointers to those brave enough to take it on! Here’s to the unexpected triumphs amidst the delightful chaos that is academic conferencing! 🎉
