Message from the Editor in Chief
Yasuhiko Arakawa
Editor in ChiefW

elcome to the first issue of JSAP International(JSAPI), the new English language journal of theJapan Society of Applied Physics (JSAP). The JSAPI will be
published every six months with the following objectives.
First, JSAPI will be a means of publicizing the activities of the JSAP worldwide. An important role of the Society is as an academic interface between science and technology and I believe the JSAP has played an important rolein contributing to the dramatic growth of the electronics
and optoelectronics industry in Japan over the last twentyyears.
The second aim is to provide information originatingfrom Japan to the international scientific community inorder to encourage and develop both scientific and cultural exchange. Thus the JSAPI includes information aboutgrants, employment opportunities, scientific advertisements, and other items that we hope will be of practicaluse for both domestic and overseas researchers.
The third objective is to introduce the contents of thetwo other journals that are currently published by the JSAP,
namely the OYO BUTURI and Japanese Journal of Applied
Physics (JJAP). The former is written in the Japanese language and is the monthly membership journal of the JSAP
with most of its contents consisting of high quality review
articles. The latter, JJAP, is an English language journal thatis published in cooperation with the Physics Society of Japan and contains refereed scientific papers. The JSAPI will
include information on the highlights of contents of theJJAP.

4JSAPI

In this first issue of the JSAPI, we begin with a message from Professor Ryoichi Ito, President of the JSAP. Then,
we are privileged to have a contribution from Dr. ShujiNakamura for the “Cutting Edge” article, describing thedevelopment of blue laser diodes.
Next, we asked Dr. Kazunobu Tanaka for a review of
the JRCAT which is located in Tsukuba City. Dr Tanaka was
one of the people responsible for planning and initiatedthe establishment of this research institute.
After this, and from a slightly more philosophical perspective, we feature an essay by Dr. Eiichi Maruyama about
the historical aspects of technology and society in Japan
from 1500 to 1900.
We are always keen to encourage young scientists toplay a more active role within the JSAP and in this issue weintroduce one of the recipients of the JSAP Young Investigator Award as well as three recipients of other JSAPawards.
In addition to these articles, we include informationthat should be useful for overseas researchers interested
in grants and job opportunities in Japan.
I hope you will enjoy reading the JSAPI and that its
contents will give you an insight into the activities of theJSAP and science and technology in Japan. Comments andinquiries about the JSAPI can be sent to the editor:
editor_ jsapi@jsap.or.jp
I would like to thank the President, R. Itoh (Meiji University), the Vice President M. Matsumura (Tokyo Instituteof Technology), and the board members of the JSAP for
their encouragement and support for the publication ofthe JSAPI.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to theJSAPI editorial committee members, M. Ichikawa (JRCAT),J. Bergquist (Nokia-Japan), S. Fukatsu (University of Tokyo),N. Hata (Electrotechnical Laboratory), K. Hirakawa (University of Tokyo), K. Hirose (Institute of Space & Astronautical Science), T. Honda (Kogakuin University), I. Kamiya(Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.), P. Lynch (British Embassy, Tokyo), A. Sandhu (Tokai University), H. Shigekawa (University of Tsukuba), R. Sowden (University of Tsukuba) and I.
Yamashita (Matsushita Electric Ind.) for their energy andenthusiasm in planning and producing this inauguralissue.

JSAP International No.1 (January 2000)

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