Japanese Foundation for Spinal Research Established

At a January 12, 2002 meeting in Tokyo, the Japanese Foundation for Spinal Research (JSFR) was founded. It is a non-profit organization designed to support and disseminate the results of research pertaining to the human spine and related tissues. The formation of the JSFR was made possible by generous financial support from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Cleveland Chiropractic College, and Southern California University of Health Sciences.

The group's mission statement is to:

1. establish, for the benefit of health professionals and the public, an archive of materials concerning research on the human spine and related tissues;


2. establish a journal for the publication of research concerning the human spine, and related tissues, in health and disease;


3. provide support for research concerning the human spine, and related tissues, in health and disease;


4. establish a teaching and research clinic for the performance and clinical implementation of research concerning the human spine, and related tissues; and


5. communicate with and support individuals and other organizations working in the interest of public health.

Dr. Brian Budgell, associate professor at Kyoto University, was elected to chair the board of directors; Dr. Mieko Kurosawa, professor with the International University of Health and Welfare, was elected as vice-chair. JSFR founders hail from six Japanese universities and the fields of athletic therapy, chiropractic, nursing and medicine.

The foundation's publication, the Japanese Digest of Chiropractic Research, will be a peer-reviewed journal consisting of editorial board members and chiropractors Dana Lawrence (Lombard, Illinois), Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics; Alan Gotlib (Toronto), Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association; Mary Ann Chance (Wagga Wagga), Chiropractic Journal of Australia; and William Meeker (Davenport, Iowa), Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System. The journal and the Japanese Chiropractic Research Archives Collection will be located at www.jfsr.org, the latter patterned after the Chiropractic Research Abstracts Collection (CRAC), which ceased publication in 1990. The Chiropractic Research Journal Editors Council, formed in 1990, will provide consultation to the board.

CMCC President Jean Moss,DC, MBA, said the college was "pleased to have played an important role in establishing and supporting the JFSR," and praised Dr. Budgell and his colleagues for their "vision and commitment to contribute to the science of chiropractic, which continues to be a guiding principle of CMCC."

The foundation's next meeting will be held on May 2-5 in Kyoto, Japan. For more information, please email the foundation at admin@jfsr.org, or write to:

Dr. Brian Budgell
College of Medical Technology
Kyoto University
Kawahara-cho 53, Shogoin
Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507
Japan