FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read the following thoroughly before addressing any inquiries to info@u-mat.org

Questions regarding the programme, schedule, and presentation outlines

What is the conference programme?

Information about the plenary sessions (keynote lectures) can be obtained here.
A programme of the paper sessions and round tables can be obtained here(pdf).

Is it possible to obtain abstracts of the presentations?

An official pamphlet will be distributed at the venue to all those attending the conference. This will include summaries (or extracts) of the keynote lectures. In addition, those attending the paper sessions and round tables will receive a printed list of the presentation titles. However, this list will not include abstracts. Abstracts will be obtainable at the venue from a website specially established for the conference.

Please explain about the website specially established for the conference.

During the conference, participants will be enabled to access this website using their own lap-top computers via wireless internet. This website will include full abstracts for all the sessions. In addition, summaries of the keynote lectures will be uploaded within a few hours of their delivery. Users will also be able to write in their own comments (this function may be used during the question and answer period of the plenary sessions). The website will include a variety of other conference-related contents, such as book revues (in Japanese only).

How will I be able to access the website at the conference venue?

Participants will be provided free access to the website via wireless hotspots installed in the conference venue. Please bring your own lap-top in order to be able to use this service. (A very limited number of desk-top PCs will be available for use by conference participants, but demand for their use is expected to far exceed the number we can provide.)
Domestic Japanese mobile phones with QR code readers or WWW browser functions will also be able to access some features of the website.
Full details on how to use this website service will be included in the material distributed to participants at the reception desk.

Indemnity Clause

The wireless network mentioned above will only enable access to the conference website and a small number of other related internet sites. It will not provide general internet access or access to regular internet services such as e-mail.
Please ensure that your lap-top batteries are fully charged before you arrive at the venue. The number of electrical power sockets available at the venue is very limited and these must be shared by all the participants. Please also take due precautions against theft and damage to your valuables while you are at the conference. Under no circumstances will the conference organizers accept any responsibility for loss or damage to the personal property of people attending the conference.
All reasonable effort will be expended to maintain accessibility and functionality of the conference website. Please understand, however, that unforeseen circumstances can cause disruption to the service. The website is an experimental operation provided as an additional benefit to conference participants. It should not, however, be interpreted as a guaranteed service to which participants have a right in return for payment of the registration fee.

Questions regarding application and registration:

How can I apply to attend the conference? What registration options are offered?

There are two main registration options: -"Conference Attendance" -"Keynote Lecture Attendance" Applications for either option can be made here. The method for tendering applications has changed. Whereas applicants were previously requested to download an MS word file and return it by mail, it is now possible to make an application with your web browser.

Please explain the "Conference attendance" option.

Those who register for "conference attendance" will be eligible to attend all the sessions of the entire conference, including keynote lectures, paper sessions and round-tables. All those delivering papers or participating in round-table sessions must also submit an application for conference attendance. However, it is possible to attend the conference even if you are not delivering a paper or participating in a round-table. (The application deadline for delivering a paper or organizing a session has already passed.) The fee for "conference attendance" is \10,000 payable in Japanese Yen (cash only) when you arrive at the venue. This is the only payment option still available. The deadline for credit-card payment applications has already passed. Applications for attendance of the reception dinner or provision of lunch boxes at the conference venue are no longer being accepted.

Please explain the "Keynote lecture attendance" option.

Those interested only in attending one of the four plenary sessions may apply for "keynote lecture attendance". When applying for "keynote lecture attendance" you must specify which session(s) you wish to attend. Your registration will only be valid for the session(s) you specify and a separate entrance fee is payable for each session you attend. (If, for example, you apply to attend Plenary 1, you cannot also attend Plenary 4). Those who have registered only for "keynote lecture attendance" are not eligible to attend either the paper sessions or the round-tables.

Which registration option should I apply for?

Those interested in attending more than one of the plenary sessions plus some of the paper sessions or round-tables are recommended to apply for full conference attendance. This is particularly advantageous for students, for whom the price of conference attendance is equivalent to the cost of attending two plenary sessions. The paper sessions will feature presentations by more than 300 scholars from around the world.

Please describe the reception desk procedure at the conference venue?

On arrival at the venue, please complete the registration procedure at the conference reception desk. Everybody who have registered to either attend the conference in full, or attend specific selected plenary 'keynote' lectures, must go to the registration desk at the entrance to Yasuda Hall. The relevant fees should be paid in cash at this time.

In what form can I pay the registration fee at the venue? Will foreign currencies or credit cards be accepted?

Please pay your fees at the reception desk. The only form of payment accepted will be Japanese currency in cash. Travelers checks, bank checks, and credit cards will not be accepted.

Will I be given a receipt when I register?

Yes. Receipts will be issued at the reception desk.

Can I obtain a refund if I no longer intend to be at the conference?

Any payments will be returned in full to those who applied for a refund by 31st March 2007. Those applying for a refund from 1st April until 5th July are eligible for a 50% refund. However, no refunds can be granted after 6th July. If your applicable to deliver a paper was rejected and you no longer wish to attend the conference, you are eligible for a refund at any time. Please contact info@u-mat.org to apply for a refund.

Questions about paper sessions and round tables

(People delivering papers should also read the other sections of this FAQ document)

Prior to you presentation

How can I deliver a paper at the conference?

The application deadline has passed and no further applications to deliver papers or participate in round tables will be accepted.

I want to know where and when I will be giving my presentation. How can I find out?

Please download the conference programme (pdf).

If my application to deliver a paper has been accepted do I have to submit the full text of my paper in advance?

No. There is no need to submit a full text either before or on the day of your presentation. Please prepare only what you need for your own use on the day of the presentation.

Can I change the title of my presentation?

No. We cannot accommodate any requests for title alterations by presenters.

Can I change when or in which session I deliver my presentation?

No. The conference programme is unalterable.

Why is the title of my presentation listed in the program different from the title I submitted in my application?

Some of the English titles have been altered by native English speakers in order to make them more easily understood. If you are unhappy with the change please contact info@u-mat.org explaining your reasons.

There is a mistake in the information given in the programme. What should I do?

We apologize for any errors that may have arisen in the process of preparing the programme. Please inform us of any mistakes at info@u-mat.org

On the day of the presentation

When should I arrive at the venue? Is it possible for me to rehearse my presentation?

Please arrive at the room where you are to give your presentation at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the session. There is a 15 minute break between each session, during which the connection between each presenter's computer and the projector (or other device) will be checked. However, no time has been scheduled for rehearsal of the presentation itself.

Is it necessary to distribute any printed material to the audience attending my presentation?
If so, how many copies should I prepare?

There is no obligation to provide printed copies of your paper or any other material to the audience at your session. This is entirely voluntary and at the discretion of each individual presenter. If you do distribute material to the audience, please make your own judgement as to the number of copies to provide, bearing in mind the seating capacity of each room. The paper session venues are each designated by a letter of the alphabet as follows (the numbers in brackets indicate the seating capacity of each room): A (90), B (182), C (320), D (209), E (91), F (78), G (240), H (80), I (80), J (80), K (80), L (80).

Are there copying facilities at the conference venue?

Please make your own arrangements in advance if you wish to distribute any material to people attending your presentation. Photocopying machines located at the conference venue are not available for this purpose. There are coin operated photocopying machines on the university campus and in commercial establishments in the vicinity. However, these facilities are inadequate to cope with a sudden influx of users at the time of the conference.

What equipment will be available at the conference venue?

The venue will be equipped with projectors that can be connected to conventional computer VGA ports (D-sub 15-pin sockets). If the computer you intend to use does not have the required output, be sure to bring the appropriate adaptor (e.g. Mini VGA->VGA, DVI->VGA). The projectors support the following image resolutions: 1,024 x 768, 800 x 600, and 640 x 480. Please bring your own computer. All forms of multi-media content, including DVD-Video, must be replayed from your computer. Dedicated audio-visual devices, computers, peripherals, voltage adaptors, or any other pieces of equipment will not be provided. Speakers connectable via 3.5 inch mini-jack plugs might be available for the reproduction sound. However, in cases where the reproduction of sound is a crucial part of your presentation, we recommend that you bring your own portable battery-powered speakers to forestall any trouble connecting to the speakers inside the venue. We are unable to provide general internet access at the conference venue. If you wish to show online content as part of your presentation, please make your own arrangements so that they can be displayed offline (e.g. excerpts from an online game can be recorded and replayed as a movie).

What voltage is the electricity supply in Japan? Will I be able to use devices brought in from outside Japan?

Please consult the manufacturer of the device you wish to use. Electrical power in Japan is 100V, and the sockets fit Type A Plugs. The conference organizers will not provide voltage adaptors or any other equipment for the use of conference participants

Is it possible to deliver my presentation in a language other than English?

Please conduct your entire presentation, including questions and answers, in English. If the use of any other language is unavoidable please make your own arrangements for the provision of an interpreter. No interpretation service will be provided by the conference organizers.

Who will be chairing my session?

Chairpersons for each session have not yet been named.

After the presentation

Will any certificate be issued to prove that I have actually delivered my presentation?

Please contact us at info@u-mat.org if you require any documentation in addition to the Acceptance Letter that you have already received.

Are there any plans to publish papers presented at the conference?

A special issue of Theory, Culture & Society devoted to the conference is planned. All submissions must go through the usual review process before being accepted for publication. Please refer to the Theory, Culture & Society website for further details.

Questions concerning the conference venue

Will there be a guide to show me the way from the airport?

Can you help me with the procurement of air tickets or hotel reservations?

No. Please make your own travel and accommodation arrangements. Useful links regarding Tokyo hotel accommodation are provided here.

Can you provide me with a guide or interpreter?

Where can I obtain meals during the conference?

There are numerous cafeterias, restaurants and convenience stores both on campus and nearby which conference participants may use. The application deadline for the provision of lunch boxes at the venue has already passed.

Is the conference venue accessible to wheel-chair users?

Yes. Wheel-chair access is possible at the conference venue. However, there will be no attendant to provide assistance.

Is there a foreign exchange bureau nearby?

The conference will take place during a weekend and a public holiday. No exchange services will be operating in the campus vicinity during this time.

Is there a cash machine or automated bank teller near the conference venue?

Please see the Tokyo Details page

I have heard that VISA cards cannot be used in Japan. Is this true?

Some VISA credit cards and debit cards cannot be used for making payments in Japan. Please inquire at your local bank or credit card company for information pertaining to the specific cards that you carry. Many shops and stores in Japan do accept credit cards, but please be aware that credit card use is not as widespread in Japan as it is in the United States of America.

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FAQ