However, JSCE's international activity has lagged extremely behind that in the domestic field up to the present. For example, even in respect of the problems related to the information dissemination, the scale of international publications of the Society is enormously limited; the Journal of JSCE (basic regular publication which covers major items) is issued in Japanese monthly, but its English version is published only once a year. In addition, although 28 volumes of technical journals are issued in Japanese annually, only five volumes of technical journals are published in English. Therefore, it is difficult for overseas engineers to access to the achievements of the valuable studies and the records of the superb construction works as well as the activities/ strategies of the Society.

Together with the world entering into the era of full-scale globalization, JSCE has determined to put forth further efforts for internationalization of the Society.

Publishing of this Newsletter represents one of the achievements of our efforts. Although its volume is brief, JSCE will make every effort to keep the content comprehensive; introducing the summary of the remarkable achievements in the fields of planning, design and construction of the social infrastructures, the international strategies and the various activities of JSCE. Any criticism, opinion and encouragement to the Newsletter will be highly appreciated.

Another effort toward the internationalization of JSCE is to hold international conferences. In February 1998, the 1st Civil Engineering International Conference on Asian Infrastructure, Sustainable Development, and Project Management was held in Manila, the Philippines, under joint sponsorship with American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE). The Conference commanded significant success reflected by the number of participants up to about 700 from ten associating nations in the region. Consequently, JSCE has begun necessary preparations to hold the 2nd Conference (tentatively titled as `Review of the 20th Century and Prospect of the 21st Century') in Japan in April 2001. We sincerely hope that this conference will be kindly supported by participants as much as possible and will mark a significant threshold to the further development of the region beyond the year 2000.