The Circulation Journal in the World

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the editorial team of the Circulation Journal, the official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS), I am pleased to report that the scientific and internationalization levels are steadily increasing. The JCS should represent not only Japan but also countries in Asia and Pacific regions. This would make the position of the Circulation Journal in this region equivalent to that of Circulation, published by the American Heart Association (AHA), in America and European Heart Journal, published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in Europe (Figure 1). Indeed, the goal of our editorial team is to enhance the scientific and internationalization levels of the Circulation Journal.

Figure 1.

The Circulation Journal, the official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS), should represent the Asia/Pacific region, similar to the Circulation, published by the American Heart Association (AHA), in America and the European Heart Journal, published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in Europe. Numbers in the parentheses show the 2013 impact factor of the Journals.

1. The Official 2013 Impact Factor

The Circulation Journal has earned an official 2013 impact factor (IF) of 3.685, which places the Journal 36^th among the 125 journals in the Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems category in the 2013 JCR Science Edition (Figure 1).

2. International Editorial Team

The editorial team of the Circulation Journal consists of 36 Japanese associate editors, 80 Japanese editorial board members, 15 international associate editors, and 27 international advisory board members. All of the international associate editors and advisory board members are internationally recognized cardiovascular researchers, substantially contributing to the enhancing of the Journal’s scientific and internationalization levels. I deeply appreciate their valuable contribution to the Journal.

3. International Editorial Board Meeting

International Editorial Board Meeting was held in Chicago on November 17 during the 2014 AHA annual scientific meeting. A total of 35 Japanese and international associate editors attended and exchanged the opinions how to enhance the scientific and internationalization levels of the Journal (Figure 2). The meeting was very successful as many valuable opinions were exchanged in a friendly atmosphere. I was convinced that the internationalization level of the Journal is truly enhancing.

Figure 2.

For the 2014 International Editorial Board Meeting of Circulation Journal, a total of 35 Japanese and foreign associate editors attended and exchanged the opinions how to enhance the scientific and internationalization levels of the Journal. The meeting was very successful. Please visit the homepage of the JCS (http://www.j-circ.or.jp/english).

4. Review Series by Internationally Recognized Cardiovascular Scientists

I am pleased to report that in the year of 2015, a total of 58 leading cardiovascular scientists have kindly agreed to write a review article for the Circulation Journal. I also appreciate their valuable contribution to the Journal.

5. Rapid Review and Publication Processes

In 2014 (January to December), the average time for primary review for all original manuscript submitted to Circulation Journal was 12.0 days and that from acceptance to publication was 83.3 days. We are proud of our rapid review and publication processes and will make every effort to maintain them.

6. International Information Service

In addition to our free on-line journal system with the J-Stage, we provide an international e-mail service that informs approximately 6,000 foreign cardiovascular researchers of the contents of the current issue of the Journal every month.

7. Presentation at the Annual Scientific Meeting of Foreign Major Cardiovascular Societies

Each year, during the annual scientific meeting of the major foreign cardiovascular societies, such as AHA, ACC, and ESC, JCS presents a booth where information of Circulation Journal is provided for foreign attendees.

Our International Editorial Team would highly appreciate your continuous support and contribution to the Circulation Journal in our endeavor to enhance the scientific and internationalization levels of the Journal.

• Hiroaki Shimokawa, MD, PhD
• Editor-in-Chief
• Circulation Journal

(Released online December 19, 2014)