The Iwate ILC Coordination Office, a space to be used for activities and meetings related to bringing the International Linear Collider, opened on June 15th in the Iwate Advanced Science and Technology Center in Kitaiioka, Morioka. Tohoku University and Iwate University Visiting Professor Dr. Masakazu Yoshioka and vice-governor of Iwate Mr. Shigeki Chiba came on the 15th for the opening ceremony and hung the center’s sign.

Iwate Prefecture opened the ILC Coordination Office after the Tohoku ILC Preparation Office (headed by Iwate Prefectural University President Suzuki) started at the Tohoku Conference for the Promotion of the ILC’s general meeting held in Sendai. The Iwate ILC Preparation Office is anticipated be used as a venue for meetings on issues including preparing for international researchers and nation-wide level promotion of the ILC, and as a gathering place for people working with the ILC from without and without the prefecture including Professor Yoshioka. The office has no permanent staff.

Professor Yoshioka expressed his hopes, saying that “Until now, we’ve come to Iwate for each event. From now, I’d like our activities in Iwate to be organized and systematic. A hub is necessary for continuous activities. This will be like a front-line base.”

Vice-governor Chiba stated that, “This office has started as a base for collaboration with the other Tohoku prefectures. I would like it to develop into a base for various projects’ efforts. I want it to collaborate closely with the Tohoku ILC Preparation Office and play a role in making the ILC in Tohoku a reality.”