Ichinoseki Linear Collider Bulletin
ILCNews vol.26 sep 2018
International Symposium
Around 1000 people attended a symposium for the ILC led by Nobel laureates on August 5th at Ochanomizu University in Tokyo. Lectures were given by Nobel laureates in physics, Dr. Sheldon Glashow and Dr. Barry Barish and video messages were given by Japanese winners Dr. Masatoshi Koshiba and Dr. Yoshinori Osumi.
*Disclaimer: The following ILC News translations (‘the ILC’s technical design is complete and the research environment is in place’ and ‘we need the ILC now’) are of paraphrased excerpts and quotes found in Japanese newspaper articles, they are not the original words of Barry Barish or Sheldon Glashow.
The ILC’s technical design is complete and the research environment is in place
I have studied gravitational waves for over 20 years, during that time I was involved in the ILC’s design for about 10 years. What elementary particle physics should pursue is a deepened understanding of what the constituent of a substance is; to understand the essence of nature. Large scale accelerators have been around for about 50 years, but were focused on circular types. In order to examine the Higgs particle, it is necessary to use the ILC which can investigate a simple reaction by colliding electrons and positrons in a straight line. The high-tech, large scale ILC will be the center of research. I want Japan to realize this international project. Researchers from around the world will gather and bring in various skills and knowledge. It’s expected that Japan will decide its construction.
We need the ILC now
The ILC is not just a machine for elementary particle physicists, but is equipment that will lead to the promotion of Japanese science. Japan has produced many Nobel laureates in physics, and I want Japan to continue that great tradition. In the development of science, "serendipity" has played a major role. Like in ancient China, while searching for a certain medicine discovered gun powder, there is a possibility that the ILC may give us various surprises and unexpected discoveries. The ILC is a device fostering great possibility to discover, and will definitely develop into a global research institution in a short period of time. I express my full support for Japan’s courageous pioneering efforts.
Pick Up News
Ichinoseki Science Café
On August 4th, ‘Kids science 2018 x Ichinoseki science café’ was held at the South Iwate Research Center of Technology. The event was targeted at elementary school students and their guardians. Participants studied the phenomena of vaporization and sublimation and made hovercrafts using CDs.
Junior high school participate in advanced science experience
65 third grade junior high school students from 18 different schools in the Ichinoseki and Hiraizumi area experienced a ‘junior high school advanced science experience’ for 2 days and 3 nights from August 6th. Students observed places such as the High Accelerator Research Institute (KEK) in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture. A total of 497 students, including the recent group, have participated to date.
Reporting on petitioning activities to the mayor
On July 26th, a second year Iwate Medical University student, Asada Hironobu, handed the mayor the signatures of 2669 people that he had organized and gathered hoping for the ILC’s realization. Mr. Asada started petitioning activities with class mates and other volunteers last March and continued with the cooperation of his family.
ILC Supporters promotion
Special ILC exhibitions were held on both August 25th and 26th at the National Craft Beer Festival in Ichinoseki. ILC Supporters Kimura U who is appointed as the ambassador of cute by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Iwate idol Fujipon took to the stage to promote the ILC and the ILC Supporters.
News Clippings
11th MEXT Panel of Experts’ Meeting on the ILC
The 11th and final MEXT Panel of Experts’ Meeting on the ILC was held on July 4th. A compiled report on opinions relating to the ILC’s plans was submitted on a later date to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Science and Technology.
Deliberations made at the Science Council of Japan
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) received a report from the MEXT Panel of Experts for the ILC and requested that the Science Council of Japan hold a deliberation. The Science Council of Japan established a review committee to deliberate the revised ILC plan and a subcommittee to verify the technical verification of the equipment. They held their first meeting on August 10th.
The ‘100-person Committee for the ILC’ was launched
Well-respected figures from Japan’s economic and cultural fields came together to support the ILC and launched the ‘100-person Committee for the ILC’ on June 29th.
The master plan was announced by the Tohoku ILC Preparation Office
On July 30th, the Tohoku ILC Preparation Office, which was built by the Tohoku ILC Promotion Council, announced the master plan that summarizes how they will prepare to host researchers and hold community activities.
The prefectural council estimates economic effects
On July 30th, the Iwate Prefecture ILC Promotion Council announced its own breakdown of economic effects. In addition to the effects calculated by the Panel of Experts at the national government, a wide range of industrial application of accelerator related technology were examined and calculated. The figure came to 5.7190 trillion yen, which would occur over the course of 20 years following construction
The mayor gave a lecture at Senmaya Public High School
A lecture was given to students at Senmaya Public High School on the theme ‘Where will you be living in 10 years’ time?’ which got the students to think about the ILC and their hometown.
Kyoutsuhata ILC Lecture
On August 8th, an ILC lecture was held at the Kyoutauhata Neighborhood Association in Daito, Ichinoseki. A total of 40 people participated, which included local residents and 19 students from Nihon University who had come to the area for a farm stay.
Promoting the ILC at the Ichinoseki Summer Festival
The Ichinoseki Summer Festival was held for three days from August 3rd to August 5th. Among the promotion efforts, uchiwa fans with the ILC Supporters logo were distributed.
Why did you come to Ichinoseki?
＊This section introduces foreign residents who have come to Ichinoseki and is a play on a popular Japanese TV show, ユーは何しに日本へ？
An introduction to Maija Muhonen (17) from Finland
Hobbies: calligraphy, piano and circus (juggling)
Favorite place: the library, ICHIBA (community spaces)
Favorite event: The Spring Fujiwara Festival (Hiraizumi)
Favorite food: salmon, reindeer
Maija, an ASF Japan exchange student has been in attendance at an Ichinoseki high school since last April. With the hope to experience things that most cannot and wanting to learn a completely different language, Maija chose the Japanese countryside. At present she is learning Japanese by attending a Japanese high school.
Maija enjoys challenges and makes efforts to say ‘yes’ as much as possible and tries to spend her time going to places she has never been to before as well as hang out with her friends.
Bell’s Work
I experienced my first summer in Ichinoseki and had a lot of fun participating in the ‘Kurukuru dance’ (danced during the Ichinoseki Summer Festival).
There are two things I would like to introduce relating to the transmission of information on the web. The first is the Kitakami Times which is an online newsletter aimed at researchers who may come to the area. Please check out http://www.iwate-ilc.jp/eng/ktimes
The second is a new site in English about Ichinoseki’s tourism, lifestyle and more. When I first came to Ichinoseki, it was difficult to form an image of what Ichinoseki is like here but, within these four months I was able to find a lot of fascinating things to share. I hope to keep adding new content. http://iiichinoseki.wixsite.com/ichinoseki-life
Enquiries
Please call or email the ILC Promotion Division if you have any questions about content in this newsletter or other matters.
TEL: 0191-21-2111 (internal lines 8646 and 8647)
E-mail: ilc@city.ichinoseki.iwate.jp