The Science Council of Japan’s ILC Committee and Technology Verification Working Group met on November 14th, where they released a draft of their suggestion course on the ILC, which points out several problems with the project. However, members called for several corrections, including a point on the general consensus of the project in the scientific community. They will continue to debate and solidify their views, leaving the final decision up to the national government.

The main subject of research for the ILC will be the precise measurement and study of the Higgs boson particle. In the draft it is stated that, “there is not currently a consensus on whether this topic is a priority over other particle physics research, even within the community of researchers that specializes in it.” Members called for a correction of this, saying that there is a consensus on the part of high energy particle physicists, and that the wording of this point was too severe.

Regarding international cost-sharing, the draft stated that, “it would be highly risky to host the project without a clear outlook on international cost-sharing.” In response, it was pointed out that, “Many feel that there can be no appropriate negotiations on the sharing of costs as long as the Japanese government is unclear about its position. There needs to be more discussion.”

The committee will continue to put together its final draft to be submitted to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) after it is approved by the Science Council of Japan’s Board of Directors. It is predicted that it will take a pessimistic view of the project.

The non-partisan Federation of Diet Members for the ILC (FDMILC, Chair: Hon. Takeo Kawamura of the House of Representatives) demonstrated that he would strengthen their calls for the national government to host the project.

FDMILC Secretary-general Hon. Ryu Shionoya (House of Representatives, Liberal Democratic Party) said, “The decision of the Science Council of Japan is not the final decision of the national government.” He indicated that he would continue to ask the government to realize the project.