June 23, 2025

On becoming Chairperson of the Japan Academy of Nursing Science

In the opening of his book “Hojoki” written in 1212, Kamo no Chomei wrote, “The flow of the river never ceases, and yet the water is never the same.” Nursing science is also an academic field and practice that advances while asking questions and re-examining itself amid the swell of changing times. At the bottom of the seemingly quiet flow, small changes accumulate and continue to evolve through an unwavering will to inquire, engage in dialogue and reflection.

In recent years, we have faced fundamental questions such as “What is scientific integrity?” and “What does it mean to communicate to society?” from which we have gained deeper understanding. The 20th century philosopher Karl Popper stated, “The criterion of the scientific status of a theory is its falsifiability, refutability, or testability.” In other words, for any claim to be scientific, it is necessary for it to be open to verification and questioning. It will be necessary to enhance the function of our Academy as “the place” for such things. This also means that, as an academic organization, we will actively engage in rich dialogue with society.

However, in real science, a theory is not immediately discarded simply because it has been disproved. Scientists often examine measurement errors and the validity of assumptions, and try to reconstruct the structure of knowledge more precisely. The work of science is not limited to the rejection of hypotheses, but is a creative process of dialogue that generates new questions and continues to build knowledge. In nursing science in particular, many questions are deeply rooted in human activities and values, and there are aspects that cannot be captured by simple disproof. For this reason, in order to develop nursing science, it is necessary to develop a pluralistic approach that guarantees both rigorous verifiability and flexible understanding of context.

Therefore, we hope to be a forum for open discussion where diverse positions and knowledge can meet, question each other, and deepen our understanding while supporting each other. I believe that this will enable our Academy to become a “circuit of trust” that moves between practice and research, society and academia.

As I face the heavy responsibility of being appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Japan Academy of Nursing Science (JANS) over the next two years, I want to make it a priority to “walk the path sincerely while listening carefully to the voices of others.” By adhering to the attitude of being true to my own values, listening carefully to the voices of others, and aligning my words with my actions, I hope to bring together with all members of our Academy the small questions and observations that arise in all areas of practice, education and research, and deliver them to society as a larger flow of knowledge.

I hope that you will continue to provide me with your honest opinions and your kind support.

Yours in Nursing Science,

Ikuko Sakai, PHN, RN, PhD
Chairperson of the Board of Directors
Japan Academy of Nursing Science

Sources:

• https://www.aozora.gr.jp/cards/000196/files/975_15935.html
  Kamo no Chomei (1212) “Hojoki”
• Karl Popper (1963) Conjectures and Refutations: The Growth of Scientific Knowledge. Routledge.
  http://www.rosenfels.org/Popper.pdf　p.37