How Tokyo provided the solution for international maths congress

“Our goal was to host an event that would benefit applied mathematics and incorporate Japanese hospitality,” says Professor Shin’ichi Oishi, of the Department of Applied Mathematics at Waseda University in Tokyo and director of the Organising Committee of the 10th International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics (ICIAM 2023) that took place in August.

“But the pre-eminent factor in hosting the event was the support provided by the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (TCVB) and Waseda University.”

With almost 70 per cent of the campus renovated, Waseda University’s large classrooms and excellent facilities make it ideal for international congresses as well as students. Tree-lined walkways between faculty buildings make it easy and pleasant to find your way around. Lots of upgrades during the pandemic, particularly in its online offering, ensured the university also provides some of the most advanced technology in Japan.

Founded in 1882 close to the centre of Tokyo, the physical improvements were made by the university’s 125th anniversary. By its 150th anniversary, Professor Oishi had been asked by the applied mathematics community in Japan to host the ICIAM 2023 to make a lasting contribution to science and culture. The first time the congress, which takes place every four years, would be hosted in Japan.

“A deep understanding of industrial and applied mathematics offers huge benefits to human life,” he says.

Attracting around 4,000 delegates with a further 1,500 participating online, 85 per cent of attendees were from outside Japan, arriving from 87 countries. From prize-winning mathematicians to industry professionals, the generous support provided by both TCVB and Waseda ensured that students were able to attend with large discounts and many activities were offered free of charge.

“The congress is very good: properly managed and very punctual. We are able to stay within 800 metres of the university, so walking distance, and we are enjoying it very much. The people are very nice and the tours are very good,”
Says Ankit Kumar, a business student from the Indian Institute of Technology in Roorkee.

As part of its large package of support for the congress, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) and TCVB offered complimentary guided sightseeing tours for up to 720 people every day. One tour took delegates through the bustling streets of Japan’s extraordinary capital to TOKYO SKYTREE®, the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower. After enjoying the breathtaking views of one of the world’s most exciting – and safest - cities, delegates were free to enjoy shopping in the 300 plus shops at the foot of the tower.

Other tours provided by TCVB and available free to delegates included:

Meiji Jingu Shrine & New Japan National Stadium
Tokyo night tour – taking in popular spots including Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Ginza and TOKYO SKYTREE®
Tokyo Tower & Hama-rikyu Gardens
Tokyo River Cruise
teamLab Planets TOKYO – an extraordinary museum where visitors walk through water and become one with flowers
Asakusa tour – a visit to a popular Tokyo neighbourhood famous for its handmade crafts and old-style streets

Cultural programmes

Among the cultural programmes on offer to delegates at the congress was one on the traditional art of Origami. Literally ‘folding paper’, we were taught how to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture by a Waseda graduate and self-confessed ‘train freak’. Following the session and proudly clutching his origami crane, sea bream and Shinkansen – as was I – Reginald McGee, assistant Professor of Maths, from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, said: “I loved it. Not done anything like it since elementary school!”

A public lecture on The Possibilities of Origami: Art, Mathematics and Applications in Engineering provided a fascinating insight into the mathematical elements of the art and its use in industry. In fact, the logo for ICIAM 2023 was designed using Origami alphabet shapes and, the most famous of all, a crane.

Another cultural programme focused on Furoshiki, a wrapping cloth that the Japanese have used since the Edo period (1603-1868) and which can be transformed into any shape with a single knot. This allowed participants to learn about the ancient Japanese practice of taking care of one’s possessions.

Tokyo – a fantastic convention destination

Katherine Benjamin from Oxford University in the UK was invited to speak at the conference. “It’s been great,” she said. “With a very broad range of topics. I love the campus.

“It’s my first time in Japan and Tokyo is lovely to walk around. The people are very friendly and the food is excellent. There has been great food at the congress, too.”

This sentiment was repeated by all the delegates, exhibitors and speakers I met during the event. Without exception, everyone mentioned the friendliness of the locals, the excellent food and service and exceptional value for money for the quality.

Elvira Hyvönen from Finland, an exhibitor from the European Mathematical Society, said: “It’s a fantastic destination, versatile, unique and very friendly. Its international accessibility must make it the most connected centre in Asia.

“There are many people from China among those visiting our stand, which has been great.

“I’d like to mention the wonderful work of the volunteers, who helped me to solve a problem. Many are graduates from Waseda and are clearly delighted to give something back and help its work.”

The volunteers are a fantastic resource for Organising Committees hosting international conferences at Japan’s universities and colleges. The TCVB also has a volunteering project.

Professor Oishi praised the Waseda Academic Solution programme for helping him to manage a lot of the organisation in-house and keep the costs down.

High-tech assistance

iPresence, a Japanese startup, caused something of a sensation during the poster sessions by providing mobile robots that allowed online delegates to interact with exhibitors. An AI-equipped automatic mobile telepresence avatar robot, temi, as this model is known, can generate an indoor bird's-eye view using a distance measurement sensor and automatic movement with one click.

Guaranteeing success

Tokyo is rightly known for its safety, the courtesy of its people and its cleanliness. It is a fantastic city to explore. And its high-tech developments can be found in its transport systems, museums, nightlife and conference infrastructure.

The quality of food throughout this fascinating city is reason enough to visit and bring international association events but there are plenty of other reasons, too, not least the high service levels. Nothing is too much trouble and for event planners and delegates, that guarantees a successful event.

For forthcoming international conferences in Tokyo, click here

Contact
In addition to the content provided for this congress, the TCVB offers a range of services including a variety of Tokyo sightseeing tours and Japanese cultural experience programmes. The level of support available is determined by the number of registered in-person attendees and can be customised to meet the organiser's requirements.

Please contact for more information: [email protected]