Keiichi Aoyagi

Executive Director of the Real World Computing Partnership

Thank you very much for coming to the 1998 RWC Symposium despite the early-morning start of the program. I would also like to thank Mr. Okada, director of the Electronics Policy Division, MITI, Professor Tanaka, chairman of the RWCP Promotion Committee at MITI and many other guests for attending today's program.

The RWC Project is now in the second half of its overall duration. Our research efforts have built up a wealth of knowledge and achievements that are highly evaluated by researchers abroad. This symposium will outline the future vision of the RWC Project as well as introduce the latest accomplishments of some 50 RWC laboratories. We have received more than 300 applications for participation from Japan and overseas. The symposium itself is a two-day program, and technical tours are scheduled for the third day, June 11, to visit the RWI Center of the Electrotechnical Laboratory and our TRC. We are very pleased to have received so many applications for the excursions.

The RWC Project's remit is to investigate and develop new information processing technologies that may pave the way to a brighter future. You will hopefully find many opportunities to exchange useful information and opinions on your research work and make productive results.

On behalf of the RWCP, I would like to thank all people concerned including those from MITI and the Electrotechnical Laboratory for their help in organizing this symposium. I sincerely hope that it will be a major success for all of us.