We express our heartfelt sympathy to those who affected by The East Japan Major Earthquake. We are wishing you a speedy recovery.
 

On behalf of the 2011 Microwave Workshops and Exhibition (MWE 2011) steering committee, it is my privilege and honor to welcome you to MWE 2011 in Yokohama for three days from Wednesday, November 30 to Friday, December 2, 2011.

The MWE has been the only comprehensive event in Japan covering technologies, industries and education related to microwave since 1991. The MWE comprises workshops giving an overview of the state-of-the-art technologies and future visions, basic educational courses for young engineers, and an exhibition of the latest products.

The keynote concept of the MWE 2011 is "Leading Eco-Friendly Society."

Thus in the opening ceremony, Professor Toshio Nojima will present a keynote address entitled "Microwave Technologies to Achieve an Ecological Earth and Environment." Furthermore, Dr. Osamu Mori (JAXA) will give a special lecture entitled "World's First Demonstration of Solar Power Sail by "IKAROS" toward Jupiter System Exploration" which gets electricity from thin film solar cells on the sail membrane.

In the workshops, 1 special session titled "Microwave Technology for Safety in Disaster" is planned to focus on the latest microwave technologies including applications to different areas such as secure and safety, human-friendly technologies and environmental problems. 5 tutorial sessions intended for beginners and 19 technical workshops will be presented during the MWE 2011 focusing on the latest microwave technologies leading Eco-Friendly Society.

In the exhibition, more than 400 companies, from both Japan and overseas, and about 40 universities and colleges will exhibit their new products, technologies and research activities. The special exhibition will demonstrate how microwave technologies have contributed to social environments. Some of the exhibitors will also give technical seminars regarding their products.

To provide younger engineers an opportunity to exercise their design skills and to learn the advanced technologies, a student design competition is newly held this year and the contents of workshops and exhibition will be enhanced.

We sincerely hope that your experience in Yokohama is a memorable one and is both personally and professionally rewarding. So, please come and enjoy your microwave journey in the MWE 2011.

In closing, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who has been supporting us in organizing the MWE 2011.

Yoshio NIkawa,
MWE 2011 Steering Committee Chair
(Kokushikan Univ.)