Dear Members of the Zoological Society of Japan

Around June, we will issue the invoices for the fiscal year 2025 membership dues.
In determining the membership dues for fiscal year 2025, based on Article 4 and Article 5 (Note 1) of the Bylaws, those who wish to transition to senior member or lifelong member status are requested to notify the Zoological Society of Japan Secretariat by Monday, May 26 ( zsj-society@zoology.or.jp Please inform us by ).

When you become a senior member or a long-standing member, your annual membership fee will be changed or waived based on Article 2 of the Membership Fee Regulations (*2). However, at the same time, in accordance with Article 8 of the Bylaws of the Articles of Incorporation (*3), you will lose the eligibility to become a director "candidate" in elections (passive suffrage). Please note that your right to vote for candidates (active suffrage) will be retained.

Although we should ideally contact you individually, please kindly forgive us for addressing all members in this manner, as there are also opinions suggesting that providing birthdate and gender information upon registration should be optional. Furthermore, we are aware that there are various opinions regarding terms such as "senior members" and "lifetime members." We appreciate your understanding that in this notice, we are using the terms as defined in the articles of incorporation.

Please let the Zoological Society office know if you have any questions or concerns.

*1: Bylaws of the Zoological Society of Japan
Article 4. Based on Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 4 of the Articles of Incorporation, members aged 65 or older may become senior members upon request.
Article 5. Based on Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 5 of the Articles of Incorporation, members who are 70 years of age or older and have a membership history of 35 years or more may become permanent members upon request.

*2: Regulations on Membership Dues of the Zoological Society of Japan
Article 2. The annual membership fees for members other than general members shall be as follows:
(3) Senior members (aged 65 or older) shall be 9,800 yen, of which members with a membership history of 30 years or more shall be 5,300 yen.
(4) Life members (members aged 70 or older with at least 35 years of membership) shall be exempt from fees.

*3: Bylaws of the Zoological Society of Japan
Article 8. Director candidates shall be elected from among regular members and student members, excluding honorary members. The election of director candidates shall be conducted by members on a branch-by-branch basis, with the fixed number of directors for each branch except the Kanto branch being 2, and the fixed number of directors for the Kanto branch being 6. The President and Vice Presidents may nominate a certain number of additional director candidates in addition to the director candidates elected by the branches.

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Zoological Society of Japan