On June 14th, the Tohoku Conference for the Promotion of the ILC held its 2015 general meeting at a hotel in Sendai and started the Tohoku ILC Preparation Office, which will consider the details of welcoming the ILC. Iwate Prefectural University President Suzuki was chosen to head the office. In preparation for a decision on whether the ILC will be built in the Kitakami mountains (Kitakami highlands), the office will coordinate between related organization and form a framework for quick actions on building research facilities and supporting involvement of local businesses.
The office is formed up of 4 working groups: local industry promotion, local reception of new residents, public relations, and technical considerations. 9 organizations including government bodies from Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture, universities and economic groups will participate, considering and sharing information in the 4 working groups and moving forward with goals as one.
By 2017 to 2018, when the Japanese government is expected to make a decision on whether to invite the ILC, the office will form a wide area basic plan for receiving the ILC, support involvement of local businesses in accelerator-related industries, and further public relations within and without Japan.