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Message from the Organisers

   Prof. Mitsuyoshi Akiyama     

   OC Chair



  Prof. Toru Takeuchi    

  SC Chair


The Japan National Group of the IABSE and the Organising and Scientific Committees are pleased to invite you to the IABSE Symposium Tokyo 2025. This is a 4-Day event to be held from 18 May (Sunday) to 21 May (Wednesday) 2025 at Waseda University and RIHGA Royal Hotel on “Environmentally Friendly Technologies and Structures: Focusing on Sustainable Approaches.”

The Japanese archipelago is characterised by its geographic length extending from north to south. Climatic conditions vary greatly, which have nurtured a variety of cultures and histories in each region. These regions have been exposed to various natural hazards, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and, more recently, heavy rains and floods due to climate change. Learning from the lessons of past disasters, Japanese engineers and researchers have been striving to create a resilient society by providing structures and infrastructure systems with substantial reliability, robustness, and redundancy. However, under the current circumstances of climate change, it is also becoming important to consider the design, construction, and maintenance of structures and infrastructure systems to ensure sustainability, while minimising negative environmental impacts from a life-cycle perspective. It is essential for those involved in structural engineering to have access to the latest knowledge and research outcomes related to such issues.

The main goal of the Symposium is to provide a forum for discussion on “Environmentally Friendly Technologies and Structures - Focusing on Sustainable Approaches -”. There are many ideas on how structural engineering can contribute to sustainability. For example, the construction of green infrastructure, facilities to create new energy alternatives to fossil fuels, carbon-neutral technologies, the use of new materials to replace conventional concrete and steel (e.g., timber and other natural materials), as well as classical structural technologies for natural disaster mitigation are all essential to ensure sustainability.

The Symposium will focus on the most important issue of our time, sustainability, and the role of structural engineers in achieving this goal. It is hoped that the Symposium will serve as a platform for governments, engineering associations, academic and educational institutions, and industry to forge global partnerships and strengthen collaboration to realise the global sustainability development agenda.

In addition to the in-depth intellectual discussions at the Symposium itself, we are sure that you will enjoy Tokyo's diverse attractions, including museums, historical sites, arts and crafts, markets, shopping, and cuisine, etc. May is the best season for sightseeing in Tokyo, and you can enjoy the abundant nature and fresh greenery of late spring amidst the skyscrapers. Tokyo has one of the largest rail and subway networks in the world. With airline and high-speed rail networks extending across Japan, other major tourist destinations such as Kyoto and Osaka can be easily reached within a few hours. In particular, Expo 2025 Osaka will be held from April to October 2025 under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. The theme is very similar to that of IABSE 2025, and there will be many pavilions and other exhibits that will be of great interest to structural engineers.

We will do our best to make IABSE 2025 a fruitful event for you. We are confident that you will have an unforgettable experience in Japan and look forward to welcoming you to Tokyo in May 2025.


Message from the OC Chair, Professor Mitsuyoshi Akiyama and the SC Chair, Professor Toru Takeuchi.

Organising Committee

Chair: Mitsuyoshi Akiyama

Vice Chair:  Satoshi Yamada
Secretary: Tomonori Nagayama

Advisors:

Akira Wada

Mitsumasa Midorikawa

Shunichi Nakamura

Yozo Fujino


Organising Committee Members 


Yukari Aoki

Shuichi Fujikura

Kaori Fujita

Takeshi Hanji

Hideki Idota

Kikuo Ikarashi

Hiroki Ishibashi

Tatuya Itoi

Jun Iyama

Yoshihiro Kimura

Shoichi Kishiki


Yasuo Kitane

Yuji Koetaka

Minoru Kunieda

Yusuke Kurihashi

Ryota Matsui

Yuka Matsumoto

Masahide Matsumura

Hiroshi Matsuzaki

Yasunori Miyamori

Hideki Naito

Shozo Nakamura 


Narutoshi Nakata

Mayuko Nishio

Taichiro Okazaki

Yoshiaki Okui

Eiichi Sasaki

Jun Sato

Kunitomo Sugiura 

Yoshikazu Takahashi

Hiroshi Tamura

Naoshi Ueda

Takashi Yamaguchi

CONTACTS:

Event Secretariat

iabse2025tokyo@bridge.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp


Prof. Tomonori Nagayama
Professor,
Department of Civil Engineering
The University of Tokyo
7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 133-8656, Japan
nagayama@bridge.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Hidekatsu Asai 

Taku Hanai

Katsuhiko Imai

Manabu Inoue 

Yoji Ishibashi

Akio Kasuga

Tomohiro Kinoshita

Tomoya Kitagawa

Kentaro Kuraji

Motohiko Kuwa 

Toshiki Mizuguchi

Tsutomu Niina

Shinya Nishimoto 

Takashi Ohshima

Chamila Kumara Rankoth

Shinichi Sawaizumi

Ikuhide Shibata

Kohei Shintani

Hideaki Takaku

Shinji Takatani

Atsushi Takeda

Masao Utsumi

Shin Yamaguchi

Shinsuke Yamazaki

Objective and Scope

The Symposium will provide an opportunity for discussion and deliberation with a focus on sustainability. As a professional association, IABSE would like to contribute to the achievement of the larger global goal of sustainability, using its expertise and experience, enriched by adaptation and innovation.


The Symposium can also address broad areas including the built environment, disaster resilience, innovation (in materials, technologies, design practices, and codes of practice), and carbon footprints. In addition to cutting-edge topics such as mega-structures, high-rise structures, offshore structures, new and innovative materials, technologies, and structural solutions, discussions will also cover advanced structural analysis, dynamic behaviour and analysis, digital technology and fabrication, and the resilience of structures and cities.

Symposium Format

The scientific program will include keynotes and parallel sessions over three days. The official language will be English. Keynote speakers will introduce topics relevant to the theme and give state-of-the-art lectures, followed by presentations in parallel sessions. The vast majority of presentations will be oral in regular sessions, but there will also be special sessions.


Special sessions provide the opportunity to present developments related to a specific topic proposed by highly respected individuals in that area of research or technical practice. Each contribution to these sessions will consist of a paper and an oral presentation followed by an open floor discussion with audience participation.


About Tokyo

Tokyo, the vibrant capital of Japan, is a city that seamlessly blends ancient traditions with cutting-edge technology. As one of the world's largest and most populous metropolitan areas, Tokyo offers a fascinating mix of history, culture, and modernity. From its humble beginnings as a small fishing village called Edo to its current status as a global economic powerhouse, Tokyo has undergone remarkable transformations over the centuries.

Key industries in Tokyo include information technology, electronics, publishing, and broadcasting. The city is also a major center for research and development, with numerous universities and corporate R&D centers. Tokyo's Akihabara district, known as "Electric Town," is famous for its concentration of electronics and tech-related businesses.


Invitation Letter for VISA Application

Please check if you need a visa to enter Japan by clicking the link below. If you require the visa, the IABSE Symposium Tokyo 2025 Registration Office will provide supporting documents after confirmation of your registration fee payment. Detailed information will be provided after you register. 

Please refer to below link to confirm whether you need a visa for entry into Japan. 

Check list of countries exempted from Japanese visa acquisition here

Accommodation

Hotels along the Tozai Line (Iidabashi Station, Kudanshita Station, etc.), or Takadanobaba Station, Shinjuku Station, and Ikebukuro Station on the JR Yamanote Line are convenient for transportation. The IABSE Symposium Tokyo 2025 Secretariat does not provide or advise on accommodation. Please make your own arrangements. Kindly note that hotels in Tokyo are quite busy at this time of year, so we recommend making arrangements early.

RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo (venue)  offers a room at a special rate for symposium participants. Please make reservations directly with the hotel. Reserve here.




Who Should Attend

Engineers, contractors, developers & policy makers, students, scientists, experts, designers and all those interested in advances and problems in civil engineering and structures are invited to attend the Symposium to exchange experiences, expertise and information in various fields of structural engineering.

Venue and Access 


RIHGA  Royal Hotel Tokyo and Ibuka Hall, Waseda University
*Registration desk will be set up at Ibuka Hall, Waseda University.

The IABSE Symposium Tokyo 2025 will be held in the RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo and Waseda University. They are located next to each other, and it takes 8-10 minutes on foot to walk between the hotel and Ibuka Hall of Waseda University.

-RIHGA Royal Hotel: https://www.rihga.com/tokyo/location
1-104-19, Totsukacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8613

-Ibuka Hall: https://www.waseda.jp/top/en/access/waseda-campus
 1-20-14, Nishi-waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0051

Access to 

Transportation

Waseda Station (T04) on the Tozai Line is the most convenient toaccess the IABSE Tokyo 2025 venue. In addition, the RIHGA  Royal Hotel Tokyo (venue) offers a free shuttle bus from Takadanobaba Station(T03 on Tozai Line/JY15 on JR Line) on the JR Yamanote Line and TozaiLine.

Useful Links

Narita Airport: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/

Haneda Airport: https://tokyohaneda.com/en/index.html

Airport Limousines: https://webservice.limousinebus.co.jp/web/en/Top.aspx

Tokyo Metro: https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/index.html

JR: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/

Map 


SOCIAL PROGRAMME

Welcome Reception & Gala Dinner

Welcome Reception

Date: Sunday, 18 May 2025

Time: 18:30 - 20:00

Place: RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo

All participants are invited to join this Welcome Reception.


Gala Dinner


Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Time: 18:30 - 20:30

Place: RIHGA  Royal Hotel Tokyo

Style: Formal dinner (seated)

Price: JPY 20,000 (Early Bird Rate), JPY 22,000 (Standard Rate)

Attraction: The Tsugaru shamisen is a genre of the shamisen, a traditional Japanese musical culture. It combines the qualities of both stringed and percussion instruments, and is characterized by a unique technique called “Tataki” that produces a lower, more powerful sound than the other types of shamisen. Join us, and you will be lead to the world of immense power created by more than 10 players.

Please enjoy a full-course meal while enjoying traditional Japanese culture.



Social and Cultural Tours

Social and cultural tours free of charge will be available for participants, with details to be announced later at symposium website. As these tours are not included in the registration package, interested participants must register separately. Registrations to the tours are to be made onsite at the tour desk.

FACTS ABOUT TOKYO


Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥).

Accepted Currency: Only Japanese Yen is widely accepted.

ATMs:  Widely available; international cards work at 7-eleven, Japan Post, and major bank ATMs.

Electricity

  • Voltage: 100 volts, 50 Hz.
  • Plug Type: Type A plugs (two flat pins).

Time Zone and Time Difference

Japan Standard Time (JST): UTC+9.

Language

Official Language: Japanese.

English: Some signage and assistance are available in tourist areas.

Useful Links for your travel

・Travel Japan: The Official Japan Guide

https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/)

・Jorudan – Japan Transit Planner (https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en)

Website and app where you can search schedules for trains, flights, and buses throughout Japan.




Banks and Currency Exchange

Banks: Major banks like Mitsubishi UFJ, SMBC, and Mizuho

Bank operate in Tokyo.

Currency Exchange: Available at banks, airports, and currency

exchange centres.

Payment: Many places accept credit cards, but cash is still

widely used in smaller shops and restaurants.


Transport

Public Transport: Highly efficient—trains, subways, buses, and

taxis.

IC Cards: Prepaid cards like Suica or Pasmo are convenient for

public transport.


Emergency Numbers

Police: 110

Ambulance and Fire: 119


Other Tips

Tipping: Not customary in Japan.

Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink.

Cleanliness: Public spaces are very clean; trash bins are limited.



                                                          


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