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Statement of editorial independence

JSDIO is firmly committed to safeguarding editorial independence. Editors retain full autonomy and authority in determining which submissions proceed to peer review and which are accepted or declined for publication without any external influence, as per the guidance on editorial freedom by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Editorial decisions are made based on the editor's subject-matter expertise, familiarity with the journal's scope, and scholarly judgment. Editors are expected to uphold best practices and maintain accountability by basing their decisions on a rigorous evaluation of the validity of the research findings and the contribution of the work to the academic discourse. The journal will not intervene in editorial decisions unless there is credible evidence that the process deviated from established ethical or professional standards. In rare cases, an editorial decision may need to be rescinded due to ethical or legal concerns. In such circumstances, the journal will collaborate with the editor and act with transparency and impartiality, following the best practice guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) to resolve the matter in accordance with our commitment to ethical publishing and research integrity.

JSDIO is a progressive journal dedicated to advancing research that drives meaningful real-world impact. We believe that editorial decision-making must remain entirely independent of commercial considerations to preserve the integrity of the scholarly record and foster trust in the work we publish. While the journal does not avoid controversial or sensitive topics, it promotes a respectful and inclusive environment that encourages rigorous academic debate and the free exchange of ideas. Authors should be able to pursue research and disseminate knowledge without fear of censorship or suppression. At the same time, authors are expected to uphold their ethical responsibilities by conducting research in compliance with national and international standards and by avoiding foreseeable harm in both the research process and its dissemination.

In alignment with our commitment to academic freedom and editorial independence, the journal may publish content that includes language considered profane, blasphemous, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise socially taboo, provided such language is integral to the subject matter and consistent with the aims and scope of the journal. Where such language appears, it will be presented accurately and without censorship to preserve the authenticity of the author's message and scholarly voice.