The International Linear Collider will be a large-scale particle accelerator that will try to unlock the mystery of the origin of the universe. The Tohoku Conference for the Promotion of the ILC is working towards getting the ILC sited in Tohoku, and on September 7th, representatives met with politicians of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, Culture, and Technology (MEXT), and the non-partisan Federation of Diet Members for the ILC (FDMILC). There, they presented a formal request for more information to be shared with foreign governments.

Tohoku University President Susumu Satomi (joint representative), Tohoku Economic Federation Chairman Hiroaki Takahashi, specially-appointed professor at University of Tokyo ICEPP Dr. Satoru Yamashita, and others met with Chairman of the General Council of the LDP Hiroyuki Hosoda, Deputy Minister of MEXT Toshiei Mizuochi, FDMILC Chair Takeo Kawamura, and FDMILC Secretary-general Ryu Shionoya.

The formal request called for transparency in processes and requirements as the government deliberates on the ILC. It also specified that information should be given to foreign governments, and asked the FDMILC to proceed with international negotiations quickly regarding the potential for other countries help fund the ILC and participate in research. They requested that a hub of international science and technology be built around the ILC, growth strategies be developed that would strengthen the private sector, and that the government deliberate on the ILC’s potential with an eye towards development of the regions outside of Tokyo. It also asked for technological development that would reduce the cost of ILC construction.

After handing the request to Mr. Hosoda, joint representative Satomi spoke with reporters. “My impression was that they do understand the importance of the facility and its creation in Japan.” Representative Takahashi said, “They favorably received the request.”