The Physical Society of Japan and Iwate University held a science lecture for the general public on September 24 at the Aiina center near Morioka Station. Iwate Prefectural University President Atsuto Suzuki gave a speech on the ILC, which would be built in the Kitakami mountains of Iwate Prefecture, and about the future of particle physics research.

This lecture was held as part of The Physical Society’s 2017 autumn program, and 80 residents were in attendance. President Suzuki explained that it “was the passion and the consensus of researchers” to realize the ILC. He also spoke about preparing the area to receive the ILC. “We will use existing facilities and equipment as much as we possibly can, and then supplement what needs to be supplemented. We mustn’t create a situation where residents are divided in ‘new’ and ‘old.’”

The national government will make their decision on whether or not to host the ILC by the end of 2017 to sometime in 2018. President Suzuki called on the audience, saying, “The international scientific community is supporting the project. This is do-or-die time so I hope we can rely on your support.”

Kyoto University’s Professor Yoshiteru Maeno also gave a lecture on the same day.