Fukuoka Now’s Editor-in-Chief, Nick Szasz met with Hiroshi Ogawa, Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture to learn about the bid for the next International Linear Collider (ILC), a cutting-edge particle accelerator, to be constructed in the Sefuri Mountains on the border of Fukuoka and Saga Prefectures. Given its scale, the ILC is estimated to have an economic ripple effect of ¥1.1 trillion, and there are other benefits.
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Fukuoka Now: In simple terms, what is the ILC?
Governor Ogawa: The ILC (International Linear Collider) is one of the three major projects of the century, on par with the International Space Station and ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor). Particles will be collided at nearly the speed of light in a 30~50km-long chamber located 100m underground in an attempt to recreate the Big Bang. Another objective is to shed more light on the Higgs boson particle. There are several candidate locations, but there will only be one ILC in the world. Japanese researchers have indicated two candidate sites in Japan, Sefuri (Saga/Fukuoka) and Kitakami (Iwate), and they are currently investigating the environmental and social conditions of each site. The results of this research will be reported to the national government.
FN: One of the sites is in Tohoku, but what are Fukuoka’s strengths?
Gov.: As I mentioned, the ILC is one of the three major projects of the century, so the location must be deemed suitable from an international standpoint. To be selected, the site must satisfy certain natural conditions, and the necessary social infrastructure must be in place to provide the world’s top researchers with places to live and conduct research. Fukuoka’s bedrock is granite and poses no problems; the biggest strength is that Sefuri is a safe, stable and convenient area. I think the research will flourish precisely because the researchers will have a comfortable living environment. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, many people moved from Tohoku to Fukuoka. Fukuoka not only has a solid infrastructure, it has been a gateway to Asia since ancient times. Now that KLM has started operating regular direct flights between Amsterdam and Fukuoka, Kyushu has become even more accessible. Fukuoka Airport is located in the heart of the city, which makes it easy to go anywhere. The road network is also extremely well-established. Fukuoka has several universities, many of which have engineering schools. Research on automobiles, semiconductors and robots is flourishing, and Fukuoka is also becoming a hub for the related industries. In the case of illness, there are 1,900 hospitals that provide services in the English language. We also have an international school where students can obtain the International Baccalaureate. Above all, there are 60,000 foreigners living and working in Fukuoka as well as 10,000 exchange students studying here. Five countries operate consulates in Fukuoka, and UN-HABITAT has its headquarters here. A diverse community such as this is proof that Fukuoka is a livable city for foreigners. I think it also shows that accompanying family members can live comfortably here as well. Speaking of which, Fukuoka City actually ranks number 12 in UK-based Monocle Magazine’s “Top 25 Most Livable Cities in the World”! In Asia, Fukuoka is in the top three, just after Tokyo and Hong Kong.
（c）Rey. Hori
FN: What benefits, economic or otherwise, do you expect the Prefecture to gain from the construction of the ILC?
Gov.: First and foremost, there will only be one ILC in the entire world, so I would be very excited if it were built in Asia, not to mention Japan. If the ILC becomes a reality, Japan and Kyushu could contribute to advancing fundamental science for the world as well as the progress of mankind. Also, we will be able to produce even more outstanding talent since we will have excellent research facilities. For example, young people who come into contact with researchers and their families might be positively influenced to pursue science. This kind of exchange could produce the next generation of human resources, and I think that is an amazing thing. The construction of the ILC will generate many technologies, devices and systems, and we can expect these to have a ripple effect into many fields just as they did at CERN. It will lead to advances in other industries and medicine, and I think it will invigorate international exchange as well.
FN: What impact would the construction of the ILC have on the environment?
Gov.: Basically, there are different impacts depending on the size of the accelerator and the types of systems used, but the safety of these facilities has been carefully researched. As the only highly advanced research facility of its kind in the entire world, maintaining safety is a top priority.
FN: What does the project schedule look like? When is the earliest the ILC could be built and put into operation? What kind of procedures are required?
Gov.: To come right to the point, I don’t know yet. Since there will only be one ILC, researchers in each country must submit reports on the candidate sites to their respective governments who must then decide which path to take. After that, the governments will work together to decide how to proceed. The reports will be submitted this summer. After that, it’s up to the government to hammer out a policy. Construction will take 10 years, but I can’t say how long it will take to make a decision on the project. Personally, I hope that a decision will be made soon and that Kyushu be chosen.
FN: If Fukuoka is chosen as the optimum location for the ILC, do you think this will be a big achievement for you?
Gov.: It would give me no greater joy to see one of humanity’s three biggest projects take shape in Asia, not to mention Kyushu. It would be an exciting task to tackle. I will assemble a team of people who believe in the importance of this project and do whatever I can within my capacity as governor to make it a reality. I would like to spread the word about Fukuoka’s features and advantages to the captains of industry and academics in the Kyushu-Yamaguchi region as well as to the members of the Assembly.
FN: What can Fukuoka Now’s readers do help Fukuoka win the bid?
Gov.: We have tried to make people understand the importance of fundamental science and to encourage children’s scientific curiosity. In that sense, I hope that readers of Fukuoka Now can work on increasing the number of children who love science. We are also spreading the word about the ILC and its significance around the greater region. At the very least, we need the people of Fukuoka to get excited about this project. I would definitely like to deepen the residents’ understanding of this endeavor. It is important to let people who might live and work at the ILC know just how safe, stable and livable this area is. Fukuoka is a great place to live and a great place to visit. Researchers, after all, are people who have to live somewhere, and I think, no matter how world-class they may be, they will only accomplish great things if they enjoy and feel safe where they live. I hope your readers will keep telling people what great places Fukuoka and Kyushu are.
Video: Promotion Sefuri (JAPAN): the location and facilities at the candidate site.
Produced by Fukuoka Prefecture and Saga Prefecture, this 4-minute video explains the location and facilities available at Sefuri as the proposed location for the ILC. Watch it below!
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Interested in supporting the bid?
“Let’s Bring the ILC to Kyushu” is collecting signatures in an effort to raise awareness of the ILC. The group is a member of the Kyushu Committee for the ILC Asia, a public-private committee established to attract the ILC to the Sefuri Mountains. Visit their website to sign the online petition (http://ilc-kyushu.com/).
