INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Safe and Secure Society: Mext Funds Projects for Jfy2007

Published: Fri 14 Sep 2007 07:44 AM
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RR RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD
DE RUEHKO #4316/01 2570744
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140744Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY TOKYO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7620
INFO RUEHZN/EST COLLECTIVE
RUEHOK/AMCONSUL OSAKA KOBE 6828
RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA 5598
RUEHKSO/AMCONSUL SAPPORO 3908
RUEHNAG/AMCONSUL NAGOYA 2149
RUEHFK/AMCONSUL FUKUOKA 3183
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 004316
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR STAS, OES, AND EAP/J
PASS TO WHITE HOUSE OSTP
PASS TO NSF FOR DR. FREEMAN/CLANDWEHR/AEMIG
PASS TO DOE JGLASER
PASS TO DOD WMCCLUSKEY
PASS TO CDC JNICHOLSON
PASS TO FBI GBISHEA/SLENZENWEGER/DHICKEY/MMILLER/
DHS FOR OFFICE OF S U/S
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TNGD PTER JA
SUBJECT: SAFE AND SECURE SOCIETY: MEXT FUNDS PROJECTS FOR JFY2007
TOKYO 00004316 001.2 OF 002
1. Summary -- The Office of Science and Technology for a Safe and
Secure Society in Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology (MEXT) has selected five science and
technology related "Safe and Secure Society" projects to receive Yen
405 million (USD 3.5 million) in JFY 2007. From 69 proposals
submitted by Japanese research institutes, MEXT selected three R
projects and two technology feasibility studies in the areas of: 1)
real-time detection of chemical and biological agents; 2) detection
of illegal drugs and explosive or hazardous materials in the
transportation/logistical system, and public buildings; and 3)
hazardous materials dispersion modeling and damage mitigation. The
MEXT will allocate approximately Yen 100 million (USD 0.9 million)
to each R project and Yen 50 million (USD 0.4 million) to each
feasibility study. End Summary.
--------------------------------------------- --------
Real-time detection of chemical and biological agents
--------------------------------------------- --------
2. Feasibility Study I: Bio-sensors for both Chemical and
Biological Agents. A team of researchers from Osaka University,
Meidensha Corporation, Daikin Industries Ltd., Okayama University of
Science, Bio Device Technology Co., and National Institute of
Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) will conduct a one
year study to develop bio-sensors capable of simultaneously
detecting chemical and biological agents. Dr. Eiichi Tamiya, a
professor in the Division of Precision S and Applied Physics at
Osaka University's Graduate School of Engineering, will lead the
team in creating a bio-chip that can detect chemical and biological
agents using a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) and a prototype
device equipped with the bio-chip that can be deployed in a variety
of locations. The team will also simulate a network monitoring and
detection system in transportation networks and other public
facilities.
3. Feasibility Study II: Stationary Detection Device for
Biological Agents in Public Areas. Dr. Toru Okumura, Professor,
School of Medicine, Saga University will lead a research team on a
one-year study to investigate practical applications for a
stationary device that can detect biological agents in crowded
public areas such as mass transit and shopping centers. Researchers
from Saga Ceramics Research Lab., Chuo Electric Works Ltd., and
Adtec Plasma Co., Ltd will participate in the study. The team aims
to develop fundamental technologies for auto-analysis of biological
agents. Such technologies could collect microorganisms through
porous ceramics, detect biological agents through fluorescence
staining, and then reproduce porous ceramics using plasma treatment
to collect microorganisms for continual analysis. Note: Saga
Prefecture is a traditional center for Japanese high-quality ceramic
products. End note.
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Illegal drug and explosive/hazardous materials
detection
--------------------------------------------- ---------
4. Project I: Walk-through Explosives Detection System. Dr.
Yasuaki Takada will lead a team from Hitachi's Central Research
Laboratory that will aim to develop a system within three years to
detect molecules released as odor from explosives in as little as
one second. The system is expected to be installed in crowded
areas, such as train stations, escalators and entrances to sports or
music events to detect explosives residue on clothing or baggage.
Hitachi hopes to commercialize the technology in JFY 2012.
5. Project II: Passive Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Imaging
Device. Dr. Hiroyasu Sato, Associate Professor, Group of Electrical
and Communication Engineering, School of Engineering, Tohoku
University, will lead a team from Tohoku University, Maspro Denkoh
Corp., and Chuo Denki Kogyo Co. Ltd to develop a portable, passive
EHF imaging device to detect hazardous materials hidden in clothes.
All materials emit EHF waves and the EHF wave is able to naturally
penetrate clothes and walls. By using these factors, the team will
develop a device that can detect hazardous materials such as guns,
plastic bottles containing hazardous liquids, and plastic explosives
at airport or port facilities. The goal is to develop the device
within three years.
TOKYO 00004316 002.2 OF 002
1. Summary -- The Office of Science and Technology for a Safe and
Secure Society in Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology (MEXT) has selected five science and
technology related "Safe and Secure Society" projects to receive Yen
405 million (USD 3.5 million) in JFY 2007. From 69 proposals
submitted by Japanese research institutes, MEXT selected three R
projects and two technology feasibility studies in the areas of: 1)
real-time detection of chemical and biological agents; 2) detection
of illegal drugs and explosive or hazardous materials in the
transportation/logistical system, and public buildings; and 3)
hazardous materials dispersion modeling and damage mitigation. The
MEXT will allocate approximately Yen 100 million (USD 0.9 million)
to each R project and Yen 50 million (USD 0.4 million) to each
feasibility study. End Summary.
--------------------------------------------- --------
Hazardous material dispersion modeling and mitigation
--------------------------------------------- --------
6. Project III: Hazardous Materials Dispersion Modeling. Dr.
Shinsuke Kato, Professor, Institute of Industrial Science,
University of Tokyo, will lead a three year project to develop an
accurate system to forecast the spread of hazardous materials and
develop an evacuation guidance system for use during a hazmat
emergency. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Advance Soft
Corporation and AIST will also collaborate in the project. The
team's forecasting system, based on physical data from spreading
material, is expected to be more accurate than current conventional
systems based on statistics and prior experience. After testing the
accuracy of their system using experiments and models, the research
team will verify the effectiveness of their systems at local
government NBC emergency drills.
7. For further information, please contact Mikako Sano at
sanomx@state.gov or Bart Cobbs at cobbsbd@state.gov.
SCHIEFFER
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