0191 -9067/81 /030307-10$02.00/0 Copyright ® 1981 SUNSAT Energy Council XXXI CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL FEDERATION, TOKYO, JAPAN, 21-28 SEPTEMBER 1980 FREDERICK H. OSBORN, JR. Executive Secretary SUNSAT Energy Council From the Welcoming Address of Masao Yoshiki, Acting Chairman, Space Activities Commission of Japan and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, to the closing remarks of Roy Gibson, retiring President, the XXXIst Congress of the International Astronautical Federation was an outstanding success. More than 750 participants from 37 countries, plus 101 spouses and other accompanying persons, met from Sunday evening September 22 through Saturday morning, September 27 at the Takanawa Prince Hotel, Takanawa, Minato-Ku, in the heart of Tokyo. There were 47 scientific sessions, five Current Events sessions, an IAF Invited Lecture, a Forum on “Economic Effects of Space Developments,” Technical Field Trips, and an unforgettable Social Program. More than 730 authors and coauthors presented, or, if not able to attend, had presented by others, some 350 papers. They came from 37 different countries, East, West, unaligned, industrialized and developing nations and the United Nations. The Japanese were exemplary hosts, friendly, smiling, efficient, helpful, and concerned. Service at the Takanawa Prince, one of the world's great hotels, was impeccable. The omnipresent amplifiers, viewgraphs, slide and movie projectors were ably manned. No loud speakers howled with feedback, and, to this reporter’s knowledge, only one projector jammed. The rooms were appropriately sized to their audiences, were readily accessible, and doors did not squeak. Nature, too, participated. Earthquakes rocked the hotel Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The theme of the XXXIst Congress was “Applications of Space Developments.” Its potential must have been accepted in Japan. The Fund Raising Committee, under the leadership of K. Kobayashi, received grants-in-aid from the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, the Conservative Association for the Japan World Exposition, and 105 Japanese corporations. Press relations were excellent. Participants were kept informed with four issues of a well-written four page IAF Congress Bulletin printed in English by the Japan Times Ltd. and distributed free. Press conferences were well attended. The traditional and, considering language and customs hurdles, inevitable registration chaos Sunday afternoon was quickly brought to order by the intelligence, courtesy, and efficiency of the Japanese staff, and in the evening considerably more than the originally expected number of participants filed into a sumptuous reception
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