Japan Echo	Matsumoto Jun Ichi Chairman Japan Philatelic Society, Foundation
	THE YEAR 2005 IS CLOSING
Toward the end of the year 2005, I send my warmest feeling of gratitude to those philatelists who supported the activities of JPS in many ways in 2005. Philately, our common hobby, is in chronic depression worldwide. We know many people who gave up philately reluctantly because of the international flood of new issues. Some major exhibitions are said to be cancelled. There are a few philatelic organizations that cannot continue their activities. Philatelic market is sluggish worldwide. In this way, one can continue such pessimistic stories about philately. However, there are some good news. I am pleased to tell you that JAPEX '05 resulted in a great success. We could gather more visitors to the Exhibition during the 3 day session than every year. We had more exhibitors from overseas than last year and each of them was highly awarded. Thus, the internationalization of JAPEX made a great progress. Here is one episode. The International Society for Japanese Philately (ISJP) has 10 directors from 5 countries scattered all over the world and they have few chances to meet each other. This time, on the occasion of JAPEX '05, 5 directors out of 10 gathered and conferred in Tokyo. It is true that we philatelists are facing many difficulties. But when we make a clever choice of collecting theme, we can enjoy the pleasure of philately without an end. Let us be confident about our future! I wish your every philatelic success for the coming year 2006.
		Tokyo, 10 December, 2005 Jun Ichi Matsumoto