(content of original Japanese article below translation)（１月１８日付けの岩手日日新聞１４ページの記事の原文が下記にあります）
The fourth and final “Ichinoseki Science Cafe” for this fiscal year was held at the Ichinoseki City Library on Saturday, January 16, attended by some 40 people ranging from elementary school students to senior citizens, who discussed and thought about the future of the city with the International Linear Collider (ILC) project being approved.
The Ichinoseki Science Cafes began in 2014 for residents to learn more about the ILC by chatting with experts about science and ILC research. They have been held in the 2015 fiscal year as well, starting last August and covering various topics such as fundamental particle physics.
The Science Cafe on Saturday was presented by Ms Tokiko Onuki of the Campus Planning Office at Tohoku University. Ms Onuki rated Ichinoseki highly, saying “the city could become a place to try things not possible in cities of higher population density. Its forestry resources are abundant, agriculture is thriving, and its delicious produce can attract people and add value. Access from large cities such as Tokyo and Sendai is good, and there are beautiful tourist spots. There is a college of the National Institute of Technology, so it’s easy for academia and industry to collaborate. Mountains and the ocean are nearby, and streets lined with shops bustle with trade. I think more people can be attracted and a fun, exciting city can be created.”
Regarding city planning with the ILC in mind, Ms Onuki said “it’s important to draw up a future vision, share it, and work with various organizations and nearby cities and towns. I’d like to see use made of the region’s resources, and people allured to a city that offers an attractive lifestyle unique to Ichinoseki.”
Participants commented and asked questions regarding how to prepare for the ILC if it is realized; the importance of the region’s efforts and attitude to make it happen; and what is needed to make the ILC more understood. Ms Onuki said “town planning would not be something done for the purpose of the ILC, what’s needed is building a town which makes people happy. And the builders are the people, everyone.”
Also in attendance at the Science Cafe was Mayor Osamu Katsube, who closed the event saying: “everyone was pro-active in offering their opinions. I hope to work with everybody over time in figuring out what kind of place to make Ichinoseki. The ILC would be a global asset, and I hope to connect it with World Heritage sites in Hiraizumi. The ILC is of a scale similar to space exploration, and I ask for everyone’s co-operation in moving forward.”
Ichinoseki City will continue the Science Cafes next fiscal year, and further awareness about the ILC.
「ＩＬＣのまち」見据え サイエンスカフェ 市民、専門家が将来像共有
一関市主催の「いちのせきサイエンスカフェ」は１６日、同市大手町の一関図書館で開かれた。２０１５年度４回目で最終回となった今回は、小学生から高齢者まで約４０人が参加。専門家の講話や質疑を通じ、国際リニアコライダー（ILC）誘致実現を見据えたまちづくりについて共に考えた。
同カフェは、ILCの研究内容や科学について専門家と市民が気軽に語り合い、興味関心を持ってもらおうと１４年度から開催。今年度も昨年８月から素粒子物理学など幅広いテーマで開き、今回は東北大学キャンパスデザイン室キャンパスデザイナーの小貫勅子氏が講師を務めた。小貫氏は、一関について「人口密度の高い都市ではできない実験フィールドになり得る。森の資源も豊富で、農業も盛ん。おいしい物は人を引き付け、付加価値を付けられる」と絶賛。「大都市（仙台、東京）からアクセスが良く、魅力的な観光地がある。一関高専もあり、産学連携しやすい。海や山にも近くまだまだ商店街が頑張っており、もっと人を呼び楽しいまちをつくれる」と可能性に言及した。
ILCを見据えたまちづくりに向けては「将来像を描いて共有し、多様な主体や周辺市町村と連携して進めることが大事。地域資源を生かし、一関にしかない魅力的な暮らしができるまちとして人を引き付けてほしい」と期待した。
参加者からは「ILCが具体化した場合、どう受け入れるべきか」「誘致には地域の盛り上がり、雰囲気づくりが大事では」「ILCを浸透させるには」などの質問、意見があり、小貫氏は「ILCのためではなく、幸せに暮らせるまちづくりが必要。まちづくりをするのは皆さん」と答えた。
勝部修市長は「皆さんから積極的な意見を頂いた。今後じっくり時間をかけ、どういうまちにするかみんなと練り上げていければ。世界遺産平泉とILCという世界の財産二つを実現し、融合させたい。ILCの規模は宇宙開発と同じ。皆さんの協力を得ながら取り組みたい」と締めた。
市は１６年度も同カフェを継続し、市民にILCの普及啓発を図る。