Professor, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
May 2025
Greeting as the Newly Appointed President
I am Naohiro Gotoh and have been appointed as the President of the Japan Oil Chemists’ Society (JOCS) for the years 2025 and 2026 at the 71st General Meeting. It is a great honor to take on this important role, following President Okano, in a society with such a rich history and tradition. At the same time, I deeply feel the weight of this responsibility. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all the past leaders who have dedicated their efforts to supporting this society.
JOCS has long served as a place where researchers and engineers in the fields of oils, fats, surfactants, and related areas can exchange knowledge and create new values. It has contributed to the development of both academic and industry. While carrying on this tradition and foundation, during my term, I will make it my top priority to address the issues that became evident through my work with former President Okano and will work to promote our activities accordingly.
First, I aim to reorganize and update oil chemistry data from the year 2000 onward and make these findings widely available through the JOCS website or in printed publications. By doing so, we hope to make the recent advancements in oil chemistry research more visible to our members and society at large, allowing more people to appreciate the significance of this field.
Second, I will work on enhancing the standard methods for oil and fat analysis. Additionally, we will strive to register these methods with ISO to increase their international recognition. Fats and oils analysis is an essential foundation for both industry and academic research. Improving its accuracy and practicality, as well as ensuring that our standard analysis methods gain global recognition, will directly contribute to enhancing JOCS’s credibility on the international stage.
Third, I am committed to fostering the next generation of researchers and engineers. To further improve the Freshman Seminar, we will revise the dedicated textbook to help beginners to acquire knowledge more effectively. Additionally, I would like
to establish a system where young oil chemists receive multi-year research funding rather than just one-year grants, enabling them to develop unique and innovative research ideas. By creating an environment that supports the activities of enthusiastic young researchers, I hope to contribute to the sustainable growth of the oil chemistry field.
Finally, I aim to increase the impact factor (IF) of our academic journal, Journal of Oleo Science (JOS), to at least 2.0. In recent years, the IF has remained around 1.5. To establish JOS as a globally recognized journal representing the oil chemistry field, I believe we must raise this point to 2.0 or even 3.0 if possible. With the wisdom and cooperation of many researchers and committee members, I hope to achieve this goal.
To realize these initiatives, the understanding and support of our members, as well as many individuals from both industry and academia, are essential. Under the vision of JOCS as “a hub where scientists and engineers pioneer oleo science and support comfortable living”, I will promote flexible and organic collaboration while striving for the further development of our society.
I sincerely ask for your continued support and look forward to working together to build the future of JOCS. Thank you.