The Japanese Foundation for Research and Promotion of Endoscopy, a public interest incorporated association, was authorized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and was established to encourage and subsidize research into endoscopic medicine, thereby contributing to the development of medicine and improvement of the welfare of humankind. It was launched with a donation from Olympus Corporation in 1982. The Foundation provides support for workshops and international exchanges, especially promotions and grants for those who are engaged in endoscopic medicine in gastroenterology, pulmonology, urology, gynecology, otorhinolaryngology and etc.