The Tohoku Conference for the Promotion of the ILC met with Mr. Hiroshi Hase, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) on March 31 to request that the national government make a decision soon on whether or not to host the ILC.

Tohoku University President Susumu Satomi (acting as joint representative), Tohoku Economic Federation Chairman Hiroaki Takahashi, Iwate Prefectural University President Atsuto Suzuki and others visited MEXT. There, they handed the request to Minister Hase.

The request contained the following:

・Define the process and prerequisites leading up to the national government’s decision

・Proceed quickly with international coordination regarding cost sharing and research participation

Their meeting was not public, but according to both parties Minister Hase’s response was, “We would like to move forward as we gather the understanding of the people of Japan.”

A strong statement was made by President Satomi: “We would like the national government to deliberate (including on contributions to the international community), and make the decision.”

IPU President Suzuki, said, “As we wait for their decision, it is important that we show that Tohoku is ready for the ILC. (Internationally,) it’s a positive sign if the Japanese government is moving towards negotiations.”