Meeting Information Dates: Sunday, July 23 - Friday, July 28, 2006 Venue: International Conference Center Kobe, Kobe, Japan About Kobe: http://feel-kobe.jp/english/index.html http://www.city.kobe.jp/index-e.html Official Language: English * No simultaneous interpretation will be provided. Conference Schedule: The respective sessions are indicated by the session numbers followed by the shortened session titles. PL: Plenary lecture, BR: Break Click here to enlarge the timetable   Meeting Venue   The new Kobe Airport, located very close to the Kobe Portopia Island, has opened on February 16, 2006. Domestic flights from/to Haneda(Tokyo) and other major cities in Japan are planned by Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Skymark Airlines. Ask the airlines or your travel agency for more information.   From-To JR/Subway "Sannomiya" Station — International Conference Center Kobe   Take Port Liner to "Shimin Hiroba" station. (10min. JPY 240) Tickets for the Port Liner with special discounted rate for the participants of IMA2006-Kobe will be available at the reception desk.     JR "Shin-Kobe" Station — Sannomiya Station   Take subway to "Sannomiya" station. (2min. JPY 200)     JR "Osaka" Station — Sannomiya Station   Take JR Tokaido Line to "Sannomiya" station. (30min. JPY 390)     Osaka Itami (Domestic) Airport — Sannomiya Station   Take a limousine bus bound for "Sannomiya" Station. (40min. JPY 1,020)   Operation: every 15-20 min. from 7:45 to 21:10     Narita (Tokyo) International Airport — Osaka Itami (Domestic) Airport   Take a domestic flight to Itami. or take a limousine bus bound for Haneda(domestic airport in Tokyo), and transfer to a domestic flight to Kobe or Osaka Itami.     Osaka Kansai International Airport — Sannomiya Station   Take a limousine bus bound for "Sannomiya" Station. (70min. JPY 1,800)   Operation: every 10-20 min. from 6:30 to 23:20.   Registration The registration desk is located on the first floor, Foyer of the ICCK.   Opening times     Sunday, July 23   13:00-19:00     Monday, July 24   8:00-18:30     Tuesday, July 25   8:30-17:30     Wednesday, July 26   8:30-17:30     Thursday, July 27   8:30-17:30     Friday, July 28   8:30-13:00       Registration fees     Regular   50,000 yen     Accompanying Person   8,000 yen     Banquet   6,000 yen (Banquet Registration will not be accepted beyond the number of positions available)     Registration Entitlement     All registered participants will be entitled to:       -receive congress materials, including a set of official publications -participate in all Scientific Sessions /Exhibition -attend the Welcome Reception, Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony -receive free refreshment services during coffee breaks each day       Entitlement for Accompanying Persons     Those registered as accompanying persons will be entitled to:       -participate in all Scientific Sessions/Exhibition -attend the Welcome Reception, Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony -receive free refreshment services during coffee breaks each day   Tour desk The tour desk is located next to the Registration desk and offers a full range of tourist information including hotel accommodations and Optional Tours. The desk will be open as follows:     Sunday, July 23   13:00-19:00     Monday, July 24   8:00-18:30     Tuesday, July 25   8:30-17:30     Wednesday, July 26   8:30-17:30     Thursday, July 27   8:30-17:30     Friday, July 28   8:30-13:00     Badges All Meeting registrants are required to wear their name badges in order to gain entry to the scientific sessions, the exhibition, and social activities.   Business center The business center is located on the second floor of the ICCK. Copy machines, computers and access to the Internet will be available. Express deliveries are also available.   Child care Child care is available at Meeting Room 305 on the third floor of the ICCK during 24 July to 28 July, 2006 by advance registration only. 08:30-13:00 JPY 2,000 13:00-18:00 JPY 2,000 08:30-18:00 JPY 4,000   Cloakrooms Cloakrooms are available at the Rehearsal Room on the basement floor of the ICCK.   Currency exchange Most foreign currencies and traveler's checks can be easily exchanged at banks, hotels. The approximate exchange rate as of April 3 was 1 US dollar = \117. The secretariat will only accept cash in Japanese yen (JPY).   Internet access Internet corners are located on the third floor of ICCK. LAN cable will only be provided. Please bring your own computer.   Liability The Meeting organizers shall not be liable for injury or damage to persons or property during the Meetings.   Lunch services Two kinds of takeout lunch (Japanese box lunch and sandwiches) will be sold at special reduced price at the first floor entrance of the ICCK daily from July 24 through July 28. Lunch may be taken in the Main Hall as well as in the session meeting rooms on the fourth and fifth floors of the venue.   Mobile phones Please be aware that mobile phones must be switched off during all sessions.   Coffee break Coffee, orange juice and mineral water will be served twice a day. During poster session, soft drinks, beer and wine will also be served. These are on a first-come, first-served basis.   Telephones Pay phones are available at the ICCK for local and long distance calls. Telephone cards can be purchased at the shop in the ICCK and at hotels. International telephone numbers are as follows:     001-010- Country code - Area code - Telephone number or     0033-010- Country code - Area code - Telephone number Dial the number exactly as shown above.   Time Japan Standard Time is 9 hours ahead of UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).   Tipping A gratuity is always included in the bill at restaurants and in taxi fares. There is no need to offer an additional tip.   Climate The average temperature in Kobe at the time of the meeting is 27°C (80°F).   Electricity The electric current in use is 100V 60Hz in Western Japan.   Insurance The Organizing Committee can accept no responsibility for accidents or damage to the private property of participants. Please make your own arrangements for health insurance, traveler's insurance, and any other necessary insurance.   Passport and Visas A valid passport is required to enter Japan. In addition, a visa is required for visitors from some nations; please contact the Japanese Consulate or diplomatic mission in your country as soon as possible so that those who are required to do so can take the necessary steps. For details, please refer to http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html (Guide to Japanese VISAS from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). If you are required to obtain a visa and some documents for visa purposes, please contact the secretariat:2006ima@congre.co.jp. Please note that this procedure is intended to assist registered participants who need to obtain a visa and it does not imply any financial support from the Meeting.

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