The second meeting regarding the organisation of the 9th World Congress on High Speed was held in Tokyo on 27 and 28 February.
The Congress will be held at the Tokyo International Forum, very close to Tokyo Central Station, from 9 – 12 June 2015, and organised by UIC together with East Japan Railway Company.
The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UIC-HQ and EJR was signed by Iñaki Barron on behalf of Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director General, and Takao Nishiyama, Director of the International Department of East Japan Railway Company.
The World Congress on High Speed Rail always represents a major occasion to network with the main stakeholders in the international rail business (operators, industry, researchers, universities, etc.) and also demonstrates to authorities and society that High Speed Rail means high capacity, reliable, cost-effective, environmentally-friendly and a safe mode of transport.
As in previous editions, the World Congress will consist of plenary and parallel sessions, an exhibition and technical visits.
To ensure the high level of representation and support at this event, an Honorary Committee and a Steering Committee have been established.
To ensure that the technical and scientific content as well as logistics and institutional issues are properly prepared, two main Committees have also been defined: the Organising Committee, comprising a few representatives from UIC-Headquarters and East Japan Railway Company, and the Scientific Committee, comprising members of the UIC Intercity and High Speed Committee, with the cooperation of several prominent figures from the high speed sector, and, as in previous editions, led by Michel Leboeuf (SNCF).
With over 50 years of experience in the operation of Shinkansen train services, Japan is a pioneer country in high speed rail systems and East Japan Railway Company (JR East) is one of the most significant Shinkansen players, not only because it operates a very important network – in coordination with one of the busiest commuter rail systems in the world – but also because it develops technology, services, station business, etc. East Japan Railway Company traditionally plays a very active role within international UIC activities.
