The idea to hold a Symposium on Star Forming Regions in Japan, be- fore or after the New Delhi General Assembly of the IAU, originated in 1981. One of the main reasons was that the 45-m telescope was expected to be inoperationby 1982. In addition it was considered that Japan had been very active in the theory of star formation as well as in mm and IR observations of star forming regions. At the Patras General Assembly of the IAU the issue was brought up for discussion at meetings of Commis- sions 34 (Interstellar Matter) and 40 (Radioastronomy), the former agreed to sponsor the Symposium,...