Congratulatory Messages

Susan Hackwood

Editor, Journal of Robotic Systems. Director, Center for Robotic Systems

As the founding editor of the Journal of Robotic Systems, I would like to express my whole-hearted approval of the English translation of the Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics. When we founded the Journal of Robotic Systems in the spring of 1984, we felt very strongly that Japanese participation in the publishing of technical papers should be encouraged, as much of the top research in robotics and mechatronics originates in Japan. To this end, we translated the abstracts of the Journal into Japanese.

Translation is never easy. A technical translation of the Japanese language into English is especially formidable. I known that many eminent researchers, such as Professors Yamafuji, Hasegawa and Fukuda have invested considerable time and effort launching this new journal. I strongly applaud their efforts. It will be a great service to the English speaking research community to be able to read about high quality Japanese research every two months.

I understand that the JRM will present research papers and technical reports from both industry and academia. This is indeed a unique opportunity for international exchange and cross-fertilization of ideas. We in the West are aware that many Japanese-speaking researchers are hesitant to publish their work in journals written in English.

I would like to extend my very best wishes to this venture.