Since a disastrous earthquake hit the eastern Japan on March 11th 2011, our country has been surrounded by a mood of restraint. Recently, however, Japan has gradually been restoring its vitality with the aid of many countries.

About 150 years ago, the Japanese government of those days opened the country for the first time since it closed the door in the early 17th century. With the massive influx of technology and culture from foreign countries, Japan achieved modernization. Hakodate city, the site for the meeting, was one of the three ports that were opened for foreign trade at that time.

Nowadays, the global society is confronted with many difficulties that would not be solved by a nation alone. The latest disaster in Japan and the history of Hakodate remind us that the cooperation and the fusion of intelligence are important.

CIGRE SC C4 and the Japanese National Committee of CIGRE have decided to organize the CIGRE SC C4 Colloquium 2012 in Hakodate, Japan from Oct. 10 to Oct. 13, 2012. The theme of the colloquium is "Fusion of Lightning Research and Practice for Power System in the Future." On the whole, research and practical fields have developed independently. To solve many problems we are facing, the fusion of intelligence and technology of various fields is requested.

The colloquium will provide an excellent opportunity for participants mainly related to the following fields: Lightning and EMC, Grounding, Transmission/Distribution Line Surge Arresters, and Application of Renewable Energy. The colloquium aims to present and discuss the latest scientific knowledge and share their practical experiences in these fields.

I sincerely welcome you with the hope that this colloquium will become productive one for all participants.

The Local Organizing Committee, CIGRE SC C4 Colloquium 2012
Chairperson         Hideki Motoyama