Background Founded in 1926, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association works to promote research and partnerships in orthopedics specialties while providing information to the public about the science of orthopedics. The inaugural annual meeting of the JOA was held its first year on April 3rd at Tokyo University, with 118 members in attendance. The JOA now comprises over 19,000 members including medical doctors of university hospitals and general hospitals and medical practitioners. Among its diverse activities, the JOA provides research presentations and lectures, publishes bulletins in Japanese and English as well as books, maintains communications and partnerships with domestic and overseas organizations, and conducts orthopedics-related inquiries and studies. Name: The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Foundation: April 3rd, 1926 Address: 2-40-8 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8418 Japan TEL: +81-3-3816-3671 FAX: +81-3-3818-2337 President: Kozo Nakamura, MD Members: 22,259persons (as of April 1,2008) Business content:   1. Promotion of research presentations and lectures 2. Publication of bulletins (Japanese, English) and books 3. Communications and partnerships with domestic and overseas organizations 4. Inquiries and studies in orthopedics 5. Issuance of achievement commendations 6. Other activities aligned with the JOA charter