The J-PARC is a joint project between two organizations, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). The J-PARC stands for Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex and it is a new and exciting accelerator research facility in Japan, using MW-class high power proton beams at both 3 GeV and 50 GeV. Construction budget started on April 1 of 2001. Since then, the construction has proceeded smoothly in both accelerators and experimental halls and, finally, in the spring of 2009 (end of JFY2008) the Phase 1 project was completed after 8 years of construction period. The facility is located in Tokai-Mura in Japan.

  The usage of various secondary particle beams (neutrons, muons, kaons, neutrinos, etc.) that are produced in proton-nucleus reactions is the prime purpose at the J-PARC. With these secondary particle beams, three major scientific goals will be attained: a) nuclear-particle physics, b) materials and life sciences, and c) later, in Phase 2, R&D for nuclear transformation. The anticipated goal of the proton current is 1 MW. From 2008 four secondary beams have been obtained exactly on schedule; neutron beams (May, 2008), muon beams (September, 2008), kaon beams (February, 2009) and neutrino bemas (April, 2009). We thus entered into an operational mode for users. Concerning intensity of the primary proton beams we entered into a steady operation of 120 kW at 3 GeV since November of 2009. In December we succeeded in obtaining 300 kW.

  It is expected that the J-PARC will become one of the most important accelerator facilities in the world for the sciences in the 21st century. Since three major regions in the world (North America, Europe and Asian/Oceanic Area) will have major scientific centers with high power proton accelerators, we would like to form a strong research center in the Asian/Oceanic region. Already many non-Japanese scientists started to use this facility.

   From now we plan to strengthen the accelerator power to 1 MW. We already started Linac construction to 400 MeV. Also, we plan to make special effort on how to open the J-PARC to international users. We also plan to extend industrial usage of the J-PARC, lodging capabilities, Phase 2 projects, etc.

  Once this facility is completed, it will be open to every scientist who wants to conduct scientific research with it. In addition, it is important to create a new organization with which to allow easy and efficient usage of the facility by world-wide users. Your frank comments on our plans are very welcome.