The ICD Sisterhood agreement originally established an inter-section relationship among Section VII (Japan), Section XI (Korea) and Section XII (Chinese Taipei) to foster professional collaboration and regional growth. In January 2025, Section IX (Philippines) created a formal Sisterhood relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding signed exclusively with Section XI. Although Section IX holds no formal agreement with Sections VII or XII, regional cooperation among these Sections continues, as demonstrated by Section IX joining visiting leaders at the Section VII Convocation in Tokyo, while Sections VII, XI and XII subsequently gathered for the Section XII Convocation and ICD East Asia Tri-Section Academic Forum in Taipei.

The Japan Section VII General Meeting and Convocation took place on June 6 at the Hotel Metropolitan Edmont in Tokyo. Section VII elected Makoto Koitabashi as its new President. During the presidential handover ceremony, outgoing President Mitsuru Fujitani formally passed the official presidential chain to President Koitabashi. The event also featured an interactive presentation by Haruki Kono titled “The Rediscovery of Bodily Sensations Changed by How We Direct Our Attention.”

During the certification ceremony, Section VII inducted six new Fellows into the College. Global President Julio H. Rodriguez attended alongside visiting delegations representing neighboring Sections. Participating leaders included Section IX President Walter U. Sy and Immediate Past President Olegario G. Clemente Jr., Section XI President Kung-Rock Kwon, Treasurer Sang-Hyun Baik, Global Councilor Won-Gun Chang and Director of International Affairs Young-Ho Yoon, as well as Section XII President Yueh-Chao Yang, Honorary Consultant James Ying-Kwei Tseng and Global Councilor and Editor Kenny Kung-Che Lee.

Section VII Standing Director, Public Relations and Editorial Committee Hiroyuki Iijima noted the significance of these ongoing exchanges. “It is expected that stronger cooperation with neighboring sections will deepen friendly relations and encourage active information exchange,” Dr. Iijima said.

Highlighting the spirit of regional engagement, Dr. Clemente Jr. reflected on the value of these inter-section gatherings: “We are the premier international honor dental organization working with close neighboring Sections to foster mutual educational opportunities, scientific collaboration and exchange joint community service with a big heart and great impact.”

Following the Tokyo convocation, academic and ceremonial collaboration continued on June 14 in Taipei. Section XII hosted its annual Convocation at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Taipei City, welcoming seven new Fellows into the College. Global President Rodriguez attended alongside Section VII President Koitabashi, Section IX President Sy, Section XI President Kwon, Section XII President Yang and Global Councilor Lee.

On the same day, Section XII hosted the ICD East Asia Tri-Section Academic Forum. The educational session featured clinical presentations from key regional experts, including Section XII President Yang on “Freehand to Computer-Assisted Implant Surgery (CAIS),” Section VII Fellow Takanori Suzuki on “Implant Timing in the Esthetic Zone,” and Section XI Fellow James Kim on “Sinus Elevation & Predictable Implant Outcomes in the Posterior Maxilla.”

Across both Tokyo and Taipei, these Sections demonstrate the Sisterhood’s dedication to service, leadership and regional unity.