◇WELCOME
Dear Colleagues:
It is with immense pleasure that I announce that the 8th Colorectal Disease Symposium in Tokyo will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014. This exciting innovative program was created based upon responses of the participants during the last seven symposia, as well as input from experts throughout the world. Based upon the information provided by prior participants, faculty, and key opinion leaders throughout the world, we have assembled some of the most imminent internationally acclaimed luminaries in the field of colorectal disease. The topics which will be presented by this esteemed faculty focus upon new technologies, new techniques, and new paradigms. As can be seen by these titles, the emphasis in the CDST 2014 program is NEW. The current controversies and complex conundrums which will be discussed and debated will be followed by lengthy panel discussions encouraging interaction between the faculty and the registrants. As has been the case during the last seven symposia, a young surgeon investigator competition will be held. In addition to certificates of achievement presented to each of the young investigators, Professor Yasunobu Tsujinaka has again generously provided cash awards for the best scientific presentations. I am confident that after review of this program you will be very excited by the topics, as well as by the stature of the faculty who will be presenting them. Accordingly along with our exceptionally generous host and my respected friend and colleague, Professor Yasunobu Tsujinaka, it is with great pleasure that we extend to you this welcome to the Jiji Press Hall in the Ginza. The July 26, 2014 educational event will be exceptionally informative, socially rewarding, and will undoubtedly allow you to make significant improvements in your individual practices to positively impact the outcomes in your patients. I urge you to register for this extremely exciting educational event as soon as possible and look forward to personally welcoming you in the Ginza.


Steven D Wexner, MD, FACS, FRCS, FRCS(Ed)
Symposium Director