Case Studies

Unlike most conference in the field, Dr. Tsang notes that the PIERS symposia are unique in bringing together specialists in both science and engineering--the theoretical and the practical applications of the science. "Other societies are very compartmentalized, so they don't mix the two sides," he says. "We do. So we have six tracks: one is electromagnetic theory, the second is metamaterials, number three is photonics--and this is a big area in Japan. Number four is antennas and microwaves. Number five is remote sensing, imaging and artificial intelligence. And the sixth one is also very important, the new area of quantum, the quantum science technology. Right now it's all the quantum world, how can you manage quantum entanglement, how do you have quantum computers?"

In this, he stresses, "Our goal is 'without borders.' Science and engineering have no borders, and as scientists our goal is to serve humanity. So we encourage collaboration, not competition. Some might say, "This country should compete with this country." It's not in our mind--we believe science is for all humanity."

A big highlight for this PIERS was the attendance of the Japanese Emperor at the opening event--a very rare and special occasion in Japan. "It was a full house!" Dr. Tsang says with a smile. "With a hot topic issue, we might get 600 or 700 people, but with the emperor the hall was full." He adds that it wasn't simply a pleasant greeting from the monarch. "The Emperor gave very good speech," he says. "I think he is very experienced, got a big applause. It was really good because young people can see that this is a Japanese Emperor who is very interested in science and technology."

In total, some 1,600 people attended the symposium. "I believe about 400 of these were Japanese, while some 600 Chinese also attended--they're very big in this field." In this post-COVID world, Dr. Tsang says he was pleased that this was an in-person event. "Online meetings are not that personal, right?" he says. "You cannot have the kind of interactions that we did, with very good exchange among all the different views from all the six tracks, and among the people of different countries. Because we have the different fields present in the six tracks, there's a greater opportunity to share across fields. That stimulates new ideas and new directions."

For participants in an event held in an exciting international destination, a highlight is events outside the sessions of the symposium itself.

Some of the core members of PIERS took part in a yakatabune cruise. Often called a Japanese houseboat (because of the shape), yakatabune are something of a traditional party boat, festively illuminated and heading out in the evening onto Tokyo Bay. The PIERS participants first enjoyed a Japanese drum and dance performance, before departing on the yakatabune, where they enjoyed freshly-cooked delicacies and beverages on the tatami-matted floor while taking in the amazing night views of the city, the passing ships of the busy bay, as well as the fun of being together on the water.

One other event held during the symposium was not for the PIERS members, but a program in which children from the third grade to junior high school joined with their parents to build AM radios. They were instructed by members of the PIERS 2025 Organizing Committee, which helped them to understand the process and principles involved. "The idea here was to help the young people sense something invisible--radio waves--by making them tangible and understandable in the visible form of the radio," Professor Kazuya Kobayashi, PIERS 2025 Chiba General Chair explained. This project was very much in line with PIERS' focus on engaging young people in science and engineering.

Dr. Tsang was no exception. "My wife and I went to DisneySea," he says. "Being here in Chiba was very convenient. It's very close to two international airports and to good attractions like Disneyland and DisneySea. This was also the first time that I went with my wife to Narita City--not the airport! I didn't realize that it's a small town, smaller than what I thought, but with a very nice shopping street (he is referring to Naritasan Omotesando, a busy, somewhat traditional shopping area). We spent a lot of time there, walking down the streets and then up to the temple (Naritasan Shinshoji, a large and scenic temple founded in 940). It was a very enjoyable experience."

Japan, Dr. Tsang adds, is a very good choice for large events, one he would recommend to any international organization. "In our case, Japan is very advanced in science and technology," he says. "It's a good place to come because they have distinguished scientists and engineers and industries with which we want to have an exchange of ideas." It's one reason, he adds, that there have been four PIERS symposia held in Japan.

Makuhari Messe is one of Japan's largest convention centers, featuring multiple exhibition halls, an event hall, and an international conference hall capable of hosting events of any scale. Several venues were used during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The area is well supported by large hotels within walking distance, offering convenience for participants. It also includes attractive green spaces such as Mihama-en Japanese Garden. The location also allows easy access to downtown Tokyo, an option many participants took advantage of during the PIERS event.