UNDERSTANDING RISK
GLOBAL FORUM
GLOBAL FORUM
FAQs
UR24 FAQs
We hope this list can help you with any initial queries you may have about the event, both in-person and online. Please check this page regularly as we will constantly update with new useful information.
In case of any questions, please contact us at ur24@understandrisk.org
General
When and where will UR24 Forum happen?
UR24 will happen from June 16-21, 2024 in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
Venues
June 16: Public Pre-Event Seminar at Arcrea Culture and Convention Center
June 17: Opening Ceremony at Himeji Castle
June 18-19: Main Conference with Plenaries and Technical Sessions at Arcrea Culture and Convention Center
June 20-21: Focus Days with UR Community sessions, workshops, trainings etc at Arcrea Culture and Convention Center
How will UR24 be structured?
UR24 will be a 6-days-event, outlined as follows:
June 16: Public Symposium
June 17: Opening Ceremony
June 18-19: Main Conference with Plenaries and Technical Sessions
June 20-21: Focus Days with UR community sessions, workshops, trainings etc.
Will the UR24 Global Forum be an in-person or a virtual event?
UR24 will be an in-person conference in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. All sessions will be streamed for online attendance.
I can't travel to Japan, will I miss the conference?
Absolutely not! All UR24 sessions will be streamed live, and recordings will be available on our website as on-demand content after the conference.
Will there be scholarships?
Unfortunately, at the moment, we are not able to offer any scholarships but are constantly working on being able to provide some support in the near future. Please check regularly our UR24 website and social media channels for any news and updates!
Visa & Vaccination
VisaDo I need a Visa for travelling to Japan?
For numerous countries no visa is required to enter Japan. However, you may find it useful to check the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan here to see if you need to provide a visa for entering Japan.
The UR team can provide supporting documents including a Letter of Invitation for those who have registered if needed.
VaccinationsDo I need specific vaccinations to enter Japan?
There are some recommended vaccinations for travellers to Japan. You may find it helpful to check the CDC’s website and WHO’s website to find out whether you are sufficiently covered.
NB: Please also verify if you need vaccination after visiting Japan to re-enter your country of departure or to enter any further destination different from Japan.
Registration
When will registration open?
Registration will open in January 2024 on our website.
Stay tuned for news and updates on our website and social media channels!
Will there be a registration fee?
We are working hard to having the Forum fully supported by partners, fingers cross, no registration fee.
Will there be scholarships?
Unfortunately, at the moment, we are not able to offer any scholarships but are constantly working on being able to provide some support in the near future. Please check regularly our UR24 website and social media channels for any news and updates!
I am a speaker, do I need to register?
Yes, all speakers need to register for the event.
Technical sessions
What are the Technical Sessions?
Technical Sessions are usually panel or roundtable discussions. The Technical Sessions will happen during the Main Conference days from June 18-19, 2024 at Arcrea Culture and Convention Center [link] and last 50 minutes each.
Who can submit a proposal for Technical Sessions?
The UR Conference is an inclusive event, and we welcome community members to submit their proposals for sessions for the main conference program. The UR24 Organizing Committee will select the sessions based on their relevance to UR’s goals and key topics for UR24, innovativeness, and potential to contribute to the participants’ understanding of risk.
When will the Call for Technical Sessions open?
The call for Sessions opens on September 25, 2023.
When is the deadline for the submission of Technical Sessions?
The Call for Sessions is officially closed.
If you have any questions, please contact us at ur24@understandrisk.org .
Focus day Sessions
What are the Focus Days?
Focus Day events are community based sessions and include challenge-focused workshops, hackathons, training, launches of books, reports and initiatives, innovation demos, meetings and seminars. The Focus Day events can be closed-door or open to all UR participants.
Focus Days will be held from June 20-21, 2024 at Arcrea Culture and Convention Center [link] and can last from a minimum of 2h up to a full 2-day session.
Who can submit a proposal for Focus Day events?
Individual organizations and UR Community members are welcomed to submit proposals for Focus Day events. Each individual organization will manage their own workshops, stakeholder meetings, training sessions, or other activities.
Focus Day events will be selected by the UR24 Organizing Committee on the basis of their relevance to UR’s goals and key issue areas for UR24, innovativeness, and potential to contribute to the participants’ understanding of risk. We will endeavor to accommodate as many side events as possible within the time and space available.
When will the call for Focus Day sessions open?
The call for Sessions opens on September 25.
When is the deadline for submissions for Focus Day sessions?
The Call for Sessions is officially closed.
If you have any questions, please contact us at ur24@understandrisk.org .
Conference language and interpretation
What is the official language of the UR24 Global Forum?
The official language of the Understanding Risk Forums is English. There may be some sessions in other languages, mainly Japanese.
Will interpretation be available?
Live interpretation will be available for English and Japanese. Based on the participation of attendees, we may consider to offer live interpretation also for additional languages.
Travel & Accommodation
Hotel booking
As soon as registration opens in January, we will post a direct link to our trusted travel agency in Japan. Via this link you will be able to access a direct booking system for UR24 attendees. Please keep posted to know about any news and details.
Does UR24 provide financial support for travel and accommodation?
Unfortunately, at the moment UR is not able to provide travel and accommodation support but we are working constantly to be able to offer some support in the near future. Please check our UR24 website for constant news and updates.
Do I need a Visa for travelling to Japan?
For numerous countries no visa is required to enter Japan. However, you may find it useful to check the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to see if you need to provide a visa for entering Japan.
The UR team can provide supporting documents including a Letter of Invitation for those who have registered if needed.
Do I need specific vaccinations to enter Japan?
There are some recommended vaccinations for travelers to Japan. You may find it helpful to check the CDC’s link and WHO’s website to find out whether you are sufficiently covered.
NB: Please also verify if you need vaccination after visiting Japan to re-enter your country of departure or to enter any further destination different from Japan.
INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS
Himeji is a popular tourist destination, well connected with all surrounding major cities. You can find many useful tips and hints at the Visit Himeji website.
Logistics notes
Language
The official language is Japanese. You will find English-speaking staff at the main airports and chain hotels. English signage will be available in the main cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
Climate
During June, Himeji can expect temperatures to range from 64° to 81° F (18° to 27° C) and typically sees about 10 days of rainfall.
Currency
The official currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen (JYN).
100 JYN is equivalent to 0.68 USD (as of September 2023).
Where to exchange my money?
The most convenient way to exchange your money may be to contact your home bank institute to see if they have branches in Japan or affiliations with Japanese banks. If you need to exchange your money upon your arrival in Japan, there are many options to do so, some are more convenient than others.
At the airport: probably not the most competitive exchange rates, but for sure the easiest access right after arrival.
Currency Exchange Bureaus in Tourist Areas: look out for “Money Exchange” or “Foreign Currency Exchange”, they provide competitive rates and very quick service.
ATM machines: For direct access to Yen, international ATMs at 7-Eleven stores, Japan Post Bank, and Citibank are quite handy. Keep in mind transaction fees and withdrawal limits. Also, double-check that your PIN is compatible with Japanese ATMs. Post Bank and 7-Eleven stores accept credit and debit cards issued outside of Japan, including Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, Union Pay, American Express and JCB cards.
Credit and debit cards
Even if credit and debit cards are well accepted in the main cities and big shops and hotels, it is always a good idea to bring some cash. Some small restaurants and shops or places with entrance fees (like Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples or castles) may not accept credit or debit cards.
Tipping
Tipping in Japan is not expected and the attempt to tip will most probably be turned down and lead to an awkward situation. Even if it seems strange to you, don’t tip, just nicely thank for the service received.
Arriving in Himeji
There are many ways to access Himeji from abroad and for national arrivals. For attendees arriving from outside Japan, the easiest option will most probably be to fly to Kansai International Airport in Osaka then get to Himeji by train or by limousin bus. Tokyo is more distant but connected very well by the high-speed train Shinkansen. You my find it useful to check the Visit Himeji website to find the most convenient solution for you.
Transportation
Taxi
Taxis in Japan are quite expensive and you may prefer other public transportation services. However, in smaller cities or at late evening hours they may be the only solution to get to your destination. Taxi stands may be easily found outside airports and train stations but you also may flag down a taxi in the street. You may also use a taxi app or make you call a taxi by the reception of your hotel.
A couple of things to know when using a taxi in Japan:
A plate on the dashboard in the lower corner of the windshield indicates whether a taxi is vacant or not, red indicates vacant while green indicates occupied, exactly the other way around you may expect.
When boarding and getting out of the taxi, DON’T touch the door, the left rear door is opened and closed automatically by the driver.
If you don’t speak Japanese, the easiest thing to do is to hand over the written address of your destination to the driver – or to show it on a map, if available, as the address system in Japan can be very confusing, even for the taxi driver…
Most of the taxis accept credit card payments. If you use cash, try to avoid using large bills for small amounts as the driver may not have enough change.
Last but not least: Tipping is not expected/done in Japan.
Bus
Local buses in Himeji (Shinki Bus)
Using the local buses, Shinki Bus, may be the most convenient solution to move in Himeji. You will need cash or an rechargeable IC card [link] before boarding the bus. You may also purchase special fare tickets in advance at the bus station ticket office.
Check the destination on the front and side of the bus. Always board the bus at the rear door and exit at the front door. When paying using cash, take a number from the small box next to the entrance and keep it with you; you will need to drop the number together with your cash in a box near the driver when getting off the bus. When paying with an IC card, hold the card to the reader near the entrance until you hear an acoustic signal. If you purchased a special fare ticket in advance, take a number as if you’d pay with cash; when getting off the bus, drop the number in the ticket box next and show the special ticket to the driver.
A good solution for foreign travellers is the Hyogo Amazing Pass, a prepaid one-day ticket that allows you to use all orange Shinki Buses for 1,000 JYN for one day. You can purchase your Hyogo Amazing Pass online here [link] and only need to show the screenshot of your mobile ticket when getting off the bus.
Phone calls
We recommend you purchase a prepaid SIM or eSIM card upon your arrival. Alternatively, you may consider to rent a phone for the length of your stay (available in advance online and at Narita and Haneda airport in Tokyo, and at Kansai airport in Osaka). Check out this useful website and Tokyocheapo for different options.
Country code Japan: +81
Area Code Himeji: 792
Example: to call from abroad to Himeji dial +81 (Japan) 7 (Hyogo) 92 (Himeji) …. (individual number)
Emergency numbers
Fire, Ambulance or Emergency Rescue: 119
Police: 110
Contact us
For any further doubts or questions, please contact us at ur24@understandrisk.org