水沢区を拠点に活動する「ＩＬＣサポート委員会」（ビル・ルイス委員長）と達増拓也知事との意見交換会は18日夜、同区の水沢地域交流館（アスピア）で開かれた。外国出身の委員５人は、ＩＬＣ（国際リニアコライダー）建設推進に伴う国際化や、本県に訪れる外国人へのサポートについて知事と意見を交わした。
　同委員会は県内在住の外国人を中心に構成。ＩＬＣ誘致に向けた活動などを展開してきた。今回はＩＬＣ完成後に多くの外国人研究者やその家族らが県内で居住するとみられることから、意見交換の場を企画した。
　ルイス委員長は、ＩＬＣが県内の人口減少への歯止めとなることを強調。「オリンピックは２週間で終わってしまうが、ＩＬＣは長く続く。その点から日本にも、岩手の国際化にも有益だ。県からも国に強く協力や理解を訴えてほしい」と呼び掛けた。
　このほか委員からは「県内でムスリムの女性が警察官にしつこく尋問を受けた」「多くの外国人が訪れるようになるので、さらに英語教育に力を入れてはどうか」などの意見が寄せられた。
　達増知事は「ＩＬＣの研究は少なくとも１００年は続くと言われている。長い期間にわたりさまざまなものをもたらしてくれるはずだ」との見解を示し、「ムスリムの女性の件は、相手がどう感じるかという配慮に欠けた対応だと思う。ともに岩手に住む県民として尊重し合うことが大切」と、外国人に対する認識や生活環境も改善していく必要があるとした。

達増拓也知事（右）とＩＬＣ建設による外国人居住などについて意見を交わすＩＬＣサポート委員会の委員

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"ILC Support Committee and Iwate Governor Tasso Opinion Exchange"
On July 18th, the ILC Support Committee which bases its activities in Mizusawa ward (Chairman Bill Lewis) had an opinion exchange with Iwate Governor Tasso at Aspia in Mizusawa ward. Five international resident committee members shared their opinions with the governor about internationalization of the area accompanying hosting of the ILC and support for foreign people visiting the prefecture.

The committee is composed of international residents of Iwate prefecture, conducting activities such as working to attract the ILC. The opinion exchange was planned because many foreign researcher and their families are expected to come to live in Iwate after the ILC is completed.


Chairman Lewis emphasized that that ILC will put the brakes on Iwate`s population decline. “The Olympics end after two weeks, but the ILC will continue for a long time. This is a beneficial point for Japan and for internationalization of Iwate. I would like the prefecture to strongly appeal to the central government for cooperation and understanding.”

The other committee members gave opinions like “A Muslim woman was intrusively questioned by a policeman in Iwate,” and “More foreign people will come to Iwate, so why not put even more effort into English education.”

Governor Tasso expressed the opinion that “Research with the ILC is said to continue for at least 100 years. It should bring about many positive things during that long a span.” “I think the treatment of the Muslim woman was lacking in consideration of her feelings. It`s important for us to respect each other as residents of Iwate,” saying that it`s necessary to improve the environment and people`s perceptions for foreign people.

Phot = Tasso Takuya governor (right) and members of the ILC support committee exchange views on such foreign residents by ILC construction

*Translation by Oshu city ILC Promotion Division.