Dear Members of the Zoological Society of Japan

The 7th wave of COVID-19 is raging, but the93The Waseda Convention Executive Committee continues to consider holding an in-person social gathering. The reason is that over the past few years, in-person social gatherings have not been held, resulting in the loss of many benefits of such gatherings, such as older members being unable to renew old friendships, and younger members being unable to ask questions to older members or promote their own research.

However, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the social gathering will be renamed an "information exchange meeting" and is planned to be held in a different format from previous social gatherings.

We are planning the following activities for the information exchange meeting. First, participants will eat a slightly upscale bento box individually in silence. After that, they will chat while wearing masks. Regarding whether only soft drinks or alcohol can be served during this chat session, it will not be decided until the end of August. However, one thing is clear: the format will differ from traditional standing buffet parties.

Now, if you would like to participate in such an "information exchange meeting" starting now, please register for the conference and contact the Zoological Society of Japan Secretariat by Sunday, August 21 (zsj-society@zoology.or.jpPlease contact ).

Also, if you have already applied for the social gathering and wish to cancel your participation due to this "information exchange meeting," please also notify the Zoological Society of Japan Secretariat by Sunday, August 21 (zsj-society@zoology.or.jpPlease contact us by ). Since this will be a seated meal, we kindly ask for your understanding that we need to finalize the headcount due to hotel preparations.

Please note that if you request a cancellation, refunds will be issued at the conference venue registration desk from the morning until 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 8, or from the morning until noon on Friday, September 9, during the conference.

Therefore, please understand that we cannot accept any new registrations or cancellations for the "information exchange meeting" on the day of the event due to COVID-19 countermeasures.

We kindly ask for your understanding of the above circumstances and your favorable decision. I sincerely hope to see all of you at Waseda.

第93Waseda Tournament Executive Committee

Etsuro Ito, Social Gathering Coordinator