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| Kansai and Kansai Science City (Conference Venue) | ||
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The Conference Venue is one of the core institution of Kansai Science City, one of the two major science city of Japan. While Tsukuba, the First Science City, was established as a complex of national institutions by government initiative, Kansai Science City is the result of regional initiative. Combined efforts of a regional partnership of academia, business and government succeeded in establishing the Science City in Kansai, which was the historic heartland of traditional Japan and is one of the major industrial center of modern Japan.
The Kansai Science City Study Committee, an academic organization, proposed the city concept in 1978. Dr. Azuma Okuda (the ex-president of Kyoto University) chaired the committee out of a general concern for the future of humankind prompted by environmental and energy crisis in 1970s. As a result of his leadership, the proposal for the city was well received by regional leaders in business and government and by national government leaders as well. National legislation entitled the Kansai Science City Promotion Act authorized this project in 1987. The established plan as approved by the Prime Minister, included the backing of regional research activity by the Keihanna Interaction Plaza Co. Inc. Currently, 3000 people from approximately 70 institutions work in the Kansai Science City facilities. Furthermore, the National Diet Library Kansai Annex, which will be the most advanced electronic library in Japan, is expected to open in October 2002.
The Kansai Science City mission is to serve as a center of academic learning and to develop regional economic activity through the creation of new-high technology industry. Also, one of its far-reaching objectives is to construct an ideal urban community that would be the hub of a regional and nationwide culture, science and technology initiative. However, the achievement of these goals will not be easy. Sustainable development of a science city is a challenging endeavor that requires strong will and exceptional skill on every aspect of science and technology. The challenges that have concerned us are commonly shared with others who are working to enhance science and technology initiative in their own regions throughout the world.
Copyright 2001 by IN+
