Professor Kishi, President of NIMS received the honor of a "Professor Emeritus" at the fiftieth anniversary ceremony of The Central Iron and Steel Institute (CISRI).

As a way of cooperating on an international level to expand the research of materials in East Asia, NIMS signed a memorandum with CISRI in May 2002 to work together to promote basic steels research, and strengthened its relationship by establishing a plan to carry out mutual visits between the two organizations and formulating the joint planning of the Japan-China automobile workshop that took place from September 20.

On September 6, 2002, CISRI celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its foundation, and 5000 CISRI employees attended the anniversary ceremony at the Great Hall of People. CISRI President Gan Yong invited President Kishi to this ceremony and awarded him the title of Professor Emeritus of CISRI.

Prof. Kishi responded to his Professor Emeritus title by delivering a congratulatory message to CISRI, an institute that has made major developments, for its fiftieth anniversary and an acceptance speech saying that, "NIMS and CISRI should continue working together and aim at the establishment of an international foundation for steel research."

He received a warm welcome of applause from the audience for his speech. Furthermore, the ceremony was held in the hall where the National People's Congress regularly meets, and it was attended by important government officials and invited guests from abroad amongst tight security. It was certainly a ceremony reminiscent of a national event, and there was a feeling of strong expectations from China to the institute.

(Welding Metallurgy Group, Dr. Kazuo HIRAOKA)