The 40th Japan SF convention report

The site, "Makuhari Messe" is a convention center in Chiba Prefecture. Since it near Tokyo and equipments are ready, it is usually used for various business events, such as the Tokyo Mortor Show and P.C. World EXPO.

As a special feature of this convention, having paved not only conference rooms but the exhibition hall with "tatami", and used it for programs other than exhibition and dealer's room. Since 24-hour use was possible for the exhibition space, various programs run all night long. With day time only conference rooms, more than 150 programs were held. Dealer's room was also open for 24 hours, more than 80 dealers and fanzines ware kept.

The chairperson of a Japanese fan group union meeting strove for the chairman of first SF convention in the 21st century, and contents of the programs are conspicuous such as, SF which will see the history of the past 40 times of conventions and the 21st century.

There were steady panels of all ages writers, as well as Japanese writers, for overseas writers from Asimov, Heinlein to Greg Bear, program about gender SF which has become the center of attention recently in Japanese fandum, showing recent works videos for promotion, and etc. Moreover, programs about fantasy by the fan group of the fantasy which celebrated 20th anniversary at this year, took the lead was also substantial, and many participants were assembled for whether a fantasy is becoming a boom by movies of "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings".

This convention that became dipped in SF more than 30 hours was ended by climax suitable as the first page of the new century.