News from Japan (March 2009)

JTA (Japan Tunnelling Association) held a session of “ITA report on 2008 Agra” on 30^th of January. Members of JTA were invited and about 50 members participated in the session. First, an overview of ITA was presented by Mr. Katsuji Fukumoto of ITA executive council member, and then, working group activities of Contractual Practices (WG3), Shotcrete Use (WG12), Mechanized Tunnelling (WG14) and Urban Problems Underground Solutions (WG20) were presented by the delegate of each working group. Report on WTC, Training session, Open session, Exhibition and post conference technical tour were also presented. Panel discussion on how Japanese tunnelling technologies can contribute to the international tunnelling market was held, and many questions and comments arose from the floor.