November 21, 2007 Chairman Yano's regular press conference

(Moderator)

We will hold a regular press conference in November and an urgent press conference regarding falsification of cylindrical form strength test results. Thank you, Chairman.

(Chairman)

Thank Hello everyone.
Originally joined the theme that had to ask the press conference, if there is a company called Kurimoto, without only is our company East, then it's a company that has paid in western Japan, Expressway hollow floor of Regarding the strength test of the cylindrical formwork used for the construction of the version bridge, we received a report from the manufacturer, Kurimoto Ironworks, that the test data had been tampered with, and we prepared a place to urgently explain it to everyone. I did it.
NEXCO3 will immediately start 100% inspection of the bridges, and at the same time, will set up a committee of third-party academic experts to investigate the construction quality and long-term effects, and will investigate.
I think that this cylindrical formwork is not a structural member of the bridge body but a temporary material until the concrete hardens, so it does not affect safety immediately, but be careful. I'm thinking about doing a 100% inspection because it's safety first. As you can see in the document, if our company is the only target bridge, there are 850 in service, 1,200 in eastern Japan and 5,300 in western Japan, so the number is very large.
I thought I would like to explain this matter at the very end, but I would like to say that it is better to start the worrying story first.
Why don't you just ask this question at first?

(Moderator)

If you have any questions regarding the current emergency conference, please do so.

(Reporter)

When was your company contacted?

(Chairman)

I have a person in charge today, so let me explain. I'm Director Inokuma.

(Moderator)

I am the manager of Inokuma Technology Development. Thank you.

(Manager)

I will report the background. First, on the 9th of this month, a newspaper company made an inquiry to the Kurimoto Ironworks. Then, on the 12th of last week, we received a report from the Kurimoto Iron Works. However, there was a story to confirm the facts at that time, and the other party was doing the confirmation work.
There are two points of tampering, but one is that the load of the test method was tampered with, as described in the press release material. Another point is that there was tampering with the description about the plate thickness in the product catalog. It was yesterday that I was conducting an internal investigation at the Kurimoto Ironworks regarding these two points and finally received a report that there was such a fact. These are the history so far.

(Reporter)

Regarding the third-party committee, please tell us whether it is a committee made up of three companies in East Japan, Central Japan, and West Japan, or a committee unique to Central Japan.

(Manager)

So far, we are making it with three companies. As mentioned in the document, the chairman has received the in-house consent to request Professor Ikeda, Professor Emeritus of Yokohama National University.

(Reporter)

The number of bridges is listed in the document, but is this the number of bridges that Equal Kurimoto Iron Works handled? Or is it the number of bridges where other companies were working on and similar products are used?

(Manager)

This number is the number and extension of all concrete hollow slab bridges that use or used cylindrical formwork. According to the interviews, several companies, including those that are not currently manufacturing, have a track record of manufacturing such cylindrical formwork. The Kurimoto Ironworks is providing me with the material that was over there, and I am confirming whether it is all, but what I am describing here is that I am careful, Lists all bridges of the same type and their extensions.

(Reporter)

This means that all bridges of the same type will be investigated anew, in the case of Central Japan, it is 850. understood.

(Reporter)

It has been tampered with, but how much did you reduce the load and thin the plate?

(Manager)

On the 4th page of the document, the test method, which is technically specialized. Hold the both sides of the cylindrical form with a band at intervals of 2m. I think there is an elliptical shape in the middle of the photo, but I will apply the load from here. It means that when applying a load, it was originally tested 100 times without applying 100, and the deformation amount under a load of less than 100 was reported.
Regarding the plate thickness, the catalog value states that, for example, a material with a plate thickness of 1.0 mm is used, but we received a report that there was a fact that when we actually delivered it, we used a material with a thickness of 0.8 mm. I am.

(Reporter)

Does the 100 you just mentioned mean 100t?

(Manager)

Actually, it is not 100t but a load smaller than 1t, but I called it 100. Therefore, it means that the prescribed load was not applied where 100 kg should be applied.

(Reporter)

How small were you?

(Manager)

At the place where the report was received, the other party called the "conversion table", but it seems that there were several types. We have received reports that the low ones ranged from about 40% to about 80%.

(Reporter)

It means to do the test based on the conversion table.

(Manager)

I agree. If you use the conversion table where 100kg should be applied, for example, the load of 100kg is applied when only 50kg is applied. The displacement at that time was confirmed and submitted as test results when 100 kg was loaded.

(Reporter)

Also, you said that the thickness of 1mm is 0.8mm. Is this also an example?

(Manager)

Yes, it is.

(Reporter)

How many types have been tampered with depending on the plate thickness?

(Manager)

I have been submitted the records left over there, but we can not judge whether it is all, so I explained it as an example.

(Reporter)

You said earlier that you do not know how much Kurimoto Ironworks delivered, but from the past results, it is assumed that Kurimoto's products are used at a ratio of 850 bridges. I wonder.

(Manager)

This is also an interview from the other party, but I can not always confirm it, but I heard that it may have a share of about 60%.

(Reporter)

As a result of the tampering, what could actually happen to the bridge if thin cylindrical formwork was used?

(Manager)

As the Chairman mentioned, the cylindrical formwork, like all formwork forms, is meant to maintain the shape of the concrete until it sets. So after the concrete has set, it is basically unnecessary. Therefore, whether concrete can be placed in the correct position during construction or the correct shape can be maintained.
As for whether it will be affected, we will perform an "acceptance inspection" when we bring the formwork to the site. Then, when assembling the formwork, "formwork inspection" is performed. When pouring concrete, I visually check for deformation and rising. After taking into account such circumstances, after the concrete is placed, we are confirming the finishing situation and workmanship of the bridge surface on site. After the bridge is completed based on the process of such construction, we inspect it regularly. In the past, repairs and reinforcements were carried out when and where they were needed, so at the moment, I think that there may be no problems with the safety of the bridge. However, since it means that a tampered product was used, as I mentioned earlier, in order to verify and understand the impact on long-term safety and durability, we have a committee with a third-party teacher. I'm thinking of doing it and then doing an emergency check.

(Reporter)

I think that such a check will be done because if there is insufficient strength, something will happen, but what will happen in the long term if a cylinder with insufficient strength is used? . Or what does inspection mean?

(Manager)

I think that even if the strength is insufficient, it will not have any effect unless it is excessive, and basically it is inspected regularly, whether it is cracked or deformed. However, I think that there is no impact on safety as we do such things. Just to be on the safe side, there is no problem with deformation and there is no problem, or even if such deformation is larger than expected, it does not affect long-term durability. I'm planning to go to a committee to detail

(Reporter)

Are you assuming that nothing will happen in the end? I think there was no problem even if the strength was insufficient.

(Manager)

No, it doesn't assume that way. By conducting verification in the future, it means conducting an emergency inspection and a study meeting.

(Reporter)

Just in case, although there was a standard of strength as a system for the time being, was it that there was actually no problem even if it did not meet this?

(Manager)

No, that is not the case, and at this point we are still doing inspections and repairs, so I think that there is no problem with safety, but we will firmly verify the influence of the insufficient strength formwork this time. Is that.

(Reporter)

And what happens to this cylinder after the bridge is completed?

(Manager)

As I mentioned earlier, the formwork is for supporting the concrete until it hardens, so basically, once the concrete is hardened, its strength is not necessary. There is also a speculation part, but since the concrete is set in the concrete as it is after it hardens, I think it may have been slightly exposed to water, but it remains in the concrete. Is that.

(Reporter)

Why is Kurimoto saying that he did something like this?

(Manager)

I haven't come to talk to us.

(Reporter)

The first point is how long Kurimoto Ironworks has talked about doing this kind of thing, and it will be verified and investigated in the future, but whether traffic will actually be affected is currently unknown. Is it clear?

(Manager)

The first point is that I am indirectly listening to information at the time when I received a question from a newspaper company, so I have not confirmed the facts, but it has been done for about 20 years or more ago. I heard that there was information that it was there. However, we can't answer because we can't take facts about this.
Then, for the second point, we will perform an emergency inspection, so depending on the result, it can not be said exactly.

(Reporter)

Is it possible that this inspection can be done through traffic?

(Manager)

Yeah. As for the inspection this time, first, while traveling, inspect whether there is any deformation on the cylindrical formwork from the road surface. In the unlikely event that a deformation is observed at that time, we are considering a procedure to check again from below the bridge surface without turning down and stopping the traffic, so there is no obstacle to traffic during inspection. I am making a decision.

(Reporter)

So, at the time of inspection, you can think that there will be no effect on the traffic of cars.

(Manager)

Yes. That's right.

(Reporter)

Also, it means that only 40 to 80% of the standard strength of the cylindrical formwork is loaded, but what is the standard in the first place?

(Manager)

Since it is a formwork, we are conducting a test as one method to confirm that it can hold the predetermined shape and position until the concrete hardens.

(Reporter)

Does it mean that you need the strength to set it? Then, it means that the formwork remains as it is when it solidifies, but the extreme story is that there is no problem with the strength as a bridge even without the formwork.

(Manager)

Yes. When the concrete hardens, the strength of the concrete comes out, and after that, there are reinforcing bars and iron rods as shown in the photo of the material, and the strength of the bridge can be secured with this reinforcing bar and concrete, so the structure There is no problem above.

(Reporter)

In connection with the current story, I think you can understand that it is necessary for concrete to be reinforced when concrete is actually needed. , Isn't there any case report that the formwork is strangely soft, or when the concrete is poured, it is crushed immediately?

(Manager)

There is none. As I mentioned earlier, at the time of construction, when you hit concrete, you will know immediately if such harmful deformation occurs and it will be crushed, and I will confirm by visiting the site that there is no harmful deformation. It means that there was no such report.

(Reporter)

When measuring in the test, it was said that the strength of 40 to 80% was used, which means that the strength was only 40 to 80%, or the tricky method when measuring is 40 to 80%. Was it? Is it okay to understand that there was no strength?

(Manager)

The test itself is, for example, how much deformation occurs when a force of 100 kg is applied. As I said earlier, since it is a formwork, there should be no harmful deformation during concrete placement, so this is a test to confirm that there is no deformation.
This time it was tampered with means that 100 kg should be applied, for example 50 kg If it is only applied, there may be a larger displacement if it is originally, but 100 kg 50 while saying kg It means that the test result table that the deformation was 5 mm was applied.

(Reporter)

Can't it be said that the strength was weak?

(Manager)

The deformation was great. There is a definition of strength, but if the strength is to break or not break, we are not doing a test until it breaks, so the deformation was large. I hope you understand.

(Reporter)

I think that it depends on the size of one bridge, but how long has it been used?

(Manager)

There is a figure on the third page, but the top of the figure above is a cross section of the bridge, a picture cut from the side. There are 10 circles in this, but there are about 10 in the horizontal direction in cross section.
The figure below it is a side view of the space between the pillars and piers, but it is a cylindrical formwork that is white with a long square, so I think that there are two long squares between the pillars. However, there is a cylindrical formwork in this part.
As you can see from the figure below, you can see what kind of things are actually installed and how they are installed, but I do not know if the number is 10, but there are photos that are lined up in the horizontal direction. I think it's on the right.

(Reporter)

Is it okay that there are about 20 used between the columns?

(Manager)

I agree. There are various stanchions and stanchions, but I think that about 20 are used in the interval of about 20 m.

(Reporter)

Please tell us one or two sites that clearly use the Kurimoto Iron Works.

(Manager)

I don't have the list now, so I'll answer later.

(Reporter)

Please tell me the material of this formwork.

(Manager)

The material is a thin plate of iron.

(Reporter)

What is the size and length?

(Manager)

The diameters from 55 cm to 1.2 m are generally used. Since the length is related to transportation etc., I mentioned earlier that it is about 20 m, for example, but when bringing it to the site, I bring a unit of about 10 m at the maximum.

(Reporter)

What are the conditions under which this hollow deck bridge is used, and where is this type of bridge located?

(Manager)

It is a very general story, but it is called a span, where the distance between columns is about 20 to 30 m, which is used for relatively short bridges.

(Reporter)

What are your plans for the Kurimoto Iron and Steel Works of Central Japan Expressway? For example, do you have any future contracts, are there any penalties for your order, or are you paying for the cost of your investigation?

(Manager)

As for the future response, since I may be a qualified person for construction work, and I think that tampering with test data can be said to be a fraud in business, so in light of such things, I will rigorously deal with it from now on. I think

(Reporter)

Is that something that all three companies think together? Or is it just your company?

(Manager)

Basically, we will consider three companies.

(Reporter)

As for the current relationship, the cost of the investigation will be incurred. I think there is an idea that you can charge for that cost. How do you think about that?

(Manager)

We will also consider that in the future, but we basically think that we can charge it.

(Reporter)

It is said that there are 850 bridges in Central Japan, but what kind of road is it used for?

(Manager)

It's a bridge with a relatively short span, but it's a model used in a relatively wide range without any particular point.

(Reporter)

Where do you call Meishin, or somehow the road?

(Manager)

Basically, you can think of it as all roads, but it is also used for the Meishin and Tomei.

(Reporter)

On other routes.

(Manager)

I think that you can think of it as all roads. If the unit of 100km or 200km is combined with "○○ Road", it is a model that is always in it.

(Reporter)

I would like to ask Kurimoto's response, but it seems that the thin plate has a low cost, but I think that it means that I got a cheap one even during the time of the public corporation. However, is it possible to consider reimbursement for costs in that area?

(Manager)

There is some kind of calculation and the basis for requesting it, but as I mentioned in the previous question, I think that we should basically consider it in the direction of charging. .

(Reporter)

Is there a place like the one in this picture where we are currently working to embed a cylindrical object?

(Manager)

Currently, there are eight bridges under construction, but I will not answer unless I confirm with the field whether or not the situation is just buried, so I will answer later.

(Reporter)

I think that it will be in a state where supply is stopped for the time being, because it is already ordered, it is probably not usable for what is coming to the site, but if that happens, what is the impact on the delay of construction period Are you looking at it?

(Manager)

As I mentioned earlier, there are other companies that make what we need to prepare in a short time in the future, so I think that we will perform strict inspections and deliver it. Since there are other manufacturing companies like this, we are not currently thinking of any delay in the construction period.

(Reporter)

Regarding the number of 850 bridges, how big is your bridge?

(Manager)

The length of the Expressway managed by our company is 1,702km at the moment, but the 200km in the material is counted by considering the upper and lower lines separately and counting each extension, so if you simply divide it, it will be 1,702km. It will be about 100km. Regarding the number of bridges, there are long bridges and short bridges, so it is assumed that the length of one bridge is different, but I think that the number of bridges managed by our company was about 2,220. I think that it is 850 bridges, but let me check if the number 2,220 is a separate line.

(Moderator)

I will explain it later.

(Reporter)

Regarding this case, it does not affect the strength so much, but I wonder if this Kurimoto Ironworks has a track record of delivering components in addition to this cylindrical formwork. If so, please tell us if you have confirmed that the same thing is not done for such things.

(Manager)

The company itself, Kurimoto, is currently a subsidiary, but it is also a company that manufactures steel bridges and steel bridges. No other such incident has been reported at this time.

(Reporter)

The "steel bridge" is.

(Manager)

It's a so-called iron bridge.

(Reporter)

It is said that it is building the iron bridge itself.

(Manager)

Yes. To be precise, I would like to ask the other person, but now it means that there are situations where it is a spin-off or a subsidiary, but the Kurimoto Ironworks itself was building an iron bridge. There is.

(Reporter)

The one used this time is weaker than the really required strength, and if there is no problem with that, I think that there was no problem because it was probably the margin part, but cost reduction is required. Among the amateurs, I think that it is possible to reduce the cost by narrowing the margin of deformation strength and using a thin plate, but what do you think about that point?

(Manager)

It was not that the strength itself was low, but that the deformation was great. Since the prescribed load was not applied, we have not confirmed whether or not the strength was insufficient. Our standard itself is not determined by strength, so I would like you to understand that point, but there is a possibility that the large deformation may have an impact on the future I would like to discuss it with the committee.

(Reporter)

Did the large deformation mean that there were no round holes? Does it mean that it is squeezed into concrete to form an oval shape?

(Manager)

The amount is uncertain, but there is a possibility. It's a little detailed, but when you set a round formwork and hit concrete, the concrete comes up from the beginning, so buoyancy works from the bottom. When you hit concrete gradually, it will come to the side, so lateral pressure will be applied from the side. It is confirmed that there is no harmful deformation at the site because the load will be applied from the top as the concrete will come on the top when hitting more, but against the fact that the one with large deformation was used At the moment, what kind of deformation remained ... I would like to verify from now on, including the possibility that something that was not a perfect circle was created.

(Reporter)

If the road is not a perfect circle, is the road strength weak?

(Manager)

Since there is a regulation on the thickness of the member in each direction, we basically judge that there is no weakness if it is within that range.

(Reporter)

First of all, why do you make a hole? Is it for weight reduction?

(Manager)

This is for weight reduction. When all concrete is struck, the weight becomes useless at all and it becomes an extra load, so make a hole to make it lighter.

(Moderator)

Do you have any other questions? There seems to be no such thing, so after that I will move to the explanation as a regular conference.

(Chairman)

Now, let's talk about the regular press conference.
First of all, it is the current status of the business, but the fee income in October was minus 1.1% compared to the same month of the previous year. The breakdown is high-speed revenue minus 1.8% and general pay plus 5.6%. Highway sales declined due to the increase in discounts accompanying the spread of ETC. General paid Ken-O Road has become a revenue in the opening effect of. The number of traffic is 3.0% higher than the same month last year. The breakdown of the number of passengers is 2.8% for high speed and 3.8% for general pay.
The ETC discount amount is 14.8 billion yen, and the ETC discount rate is 22.5%.

Next is the construction situation. Shin-Meishin Expressway will explain about Shinmeijin later. The date for opening has been decided, so I will announce it today.

Regarding the contract rate of successful contracts for major works, there were 13 contracts for major works in October, and the average successful bid ratio was 86.29%. The cumulative total for the year is 85.32%.

The situation of ETC. 72.9% from November 9th to 15th 1 The average daily interest rate is 2.5% higher than it was a month ago. It can be said that it is gradually rising upward. By weekday holidays, the weekday usage rate increased from 74.7% to 74.9%, and holidays increased from 64.8% to 67.3%. The cumulative number of vehicle-mounted devices installed increased by 2.2% from the end of September to 17.18 million units.

SA sales were 97.8% year-on-year. The breakdown is 96.4% for the food and beverage department, 99.2% for the product sales department, 97.1% for the service department, and 96.7% for the gasoline department.

Next is the topic.
First is the opening of the Shin-Meishin Expwy. From Kameyama JCT to Kusatsu Tagami IC, it will open on February 23 next year. We will offer an early opening discount in order to thank all the people along the line for cooperation with the opening and to promote use.
As shown in the document, the total length is 49.7km. It is "5. Effect of opening" on page 2. Details can be found on page 8 and beyond of the materials, but steps (1) to (4) are direct effects, and the time required for Nagoya and Osaka will be shortened. It is about 20 minutes or 34km shorter than the north route. I also hope to alleviate traffic congestion. Currently, there are about 1,600 times of congestion around the north for a total of 3,500 hours a year, but I think that traffic congestion will be alleviated by changing traffic to the southern route. Please refer to the Isewangan Expressway as an example of how to reduce traffic congestion associated with the completion of the network. We are also implementing additional lane business. As I wrote on page 12, it is expected that the redundancy effect will be demonstrated as an alternative road by the double network. Around the north, there was guerrilla snow in Sekigahara two years ago. Although it was not so much last year, I think that there is a heavy snowfall there and more people will use routes around the south, and I think that it will also have a redundancy effect against other serious accidents and earthquake disasters. I will. Regarding environmental protection, we are making forests on the embankment slope, planting local seedlings, solar power generation, and rooftop greening of buildings. Page 14 or less is an indirect effect, but I think that it can be said that logistics support, wide-area tourism, the location of companies in Shiga Prefecture are advancing, and the emergency medical system is significantly thickened. Such effects can be expected.
Then, in connection with this opening, we plan to carry out an early opening discount for a limited time. Between Kameyama JCT and Kusatsu Tagami IC: Up to half the discount for 4 months from the opening date of Saturday, February 23 to Monday, June 30. We would like to provide this service to all vehicles regardless of whether there is ETC or not for vehicles that enter or leave any of the ICs in the open section. We will inform you about the opening ceremony.

Next is to start the main line construction from Rokugo IC Chubu-OdanExpwy Masuho IC, and the groundbreaking ceremony will be held on December 16. This has already been announced, but it is distributed for your information.

Next is maintenance. This is "improving customer service with blue pass tickets." Currently, when we close the ETC lane at the entrance, we are giving out a normal yellow pass, but by issuing a blue pass instead of it, the customer from the exit ETC The idea is that the toll collector will speak out and contribute to the improvement of the service without requesting the application of time discounts. I want to start operation from next January.

Next, I would like to provide the "Warning guide for winter roads" service from the beginning of December. It will be posted on the website and will be distributed in the folded public relations magazine. In order to reach the beginning of winter, all the points that you should pay attention to when driving on a winter road are marked as important points so that you can understand them. At the previous stage, there is a spring / summer / autumn service that started in September as a “careful guide for high-speed driving”, but thanks to you, we have distributed 120,000 copies. For this winter edition, 100,000 copies will be released for the time being, and will be distributed to bus associations, truck associations, and driving school associations.

The fifth is a Isewangan Expwy MieKawagoe IC to Tobishima IC rate discount verification. This is also the answer to the question we received at the last interview. As you know, traffic congestion occurred on Routes 23 and 1 due to lane restrictions on the reinforcement work of National Highway No. 23, Kisogawa Ibi Nagara Bridge. As a detour, we provided a service to cut the toll of Isewangan Expressway by half. It was 80 days from July 25th to October 12th. The cross-sectional traffic volume change during this period was + 16% for the traffic volume of Isewangan Expressway. On the other hand, the traffic volume on General National Route 23 has been reduced by 23%. The volume of inter-pair traffic in this section has tripled. It means that the effect of alleviating traffic congestion on general national roads has also appeared.

Next, the uphill lane in front of the Kobutsu tunnel on the ChuoExpwy In-bound line will be completed, and it will be in service on November 29. This is an announcement from Hachioji Regional Head Office, but I thought it was a good opportunity at the same time, so I will explain it here as well.
We have been inconvenienced for a long time in the traffic congestion around the Kobutsu Tunnel, but due to the construction of the climbing lane, 1.8km will be in service soon. 0.8km which was completed and used before is 1.0km, and the total is 1.8km. I hope it helps alleviate traffic congestion.

Seventh, we are currently promoting group management, which is important for the company, and this is a progress report on that progress. As I have explained before, we are proceeding with the reorganization of Companies in our Group involved in maintenance and management operations, and we are consolidating and reorganizing 30 companies into 10 companies. Making it is a bit of a chore, so I'll explain.
Central Nippon Highway Maintenance Nagoya Company Limited began operations on the 20th. On November 1st, Central Nippon Highway Maintenance Hokuriku Company Limited was established, and this is the second company in the maintenance field. Then, on the 26th of this month Central Nippon Highway Maintenance Tomei Company Limited will begin operations. On the 29th, Central Nippon Highway Engineering Nagoya Co., Ltd, a company responsible for engineering and maintenance inspections, will be launched.
For an overview of each company, Appendix 1 is Central Nippon Highway Maintenance Nagoya Company Limited, whose president is Eiichi Takeya, who is currently our executive officer. Attachment 2 is Central Nippon Highway Maintenance Tomei Company Limited, and Mizushima is the president. Attachment 3 is Central Nippon Highway Engineering Nagoya Co., Ltd, with Matsuzaki as its president. Attachment 4 shows the progress of the 10 companies I mentioned earlier. Companies surrounded by thick frames are classified as already established, including those announced today. We are currently making preparations to launch the remaining three companies within this fiscal year. We will provide an explanation as soon as it is decided.

Next time, we will open a smoking lounge on the Out-bound line of Ebina SA, so I will report it. In collaboration with Philip Morris Japan, we will set up a smoking lounge on December 22, Out-bound Ebina SA. I have attached a picture, but I will leave one of those that already has two smoking corners, and the other will be this new smoking lounge. This is in line with our policy of smoking outside, so we decided to ask him to agree with Philip Morris.

Next is the renewal sale of the lucky charm, "Fukufuku Sarobobo," which is a scholarly achievement and safe delivery. This has already been announced, but we have prepared it for reference today.
We made 8,000 pieces at the time of passing through the Hida tunnel, but sold out, and this time, as a new version, we put through stones in a golden bag with "Blessing Salbobo". Penetration stone, which I also got, is an easy-to-deliver amulet for a long time. This time, in addition to this, it also serves as an amulet for breaking through difficult examinations, and is well received by everyone.

Although there are no materials, we will renew the fast-valve winter menu from December 8. We will be preparing a press release in early December, so we will inform you from this time.

Finally, a memorandum of understanding for technical cooperation with Vietnam Road Corporation, called MOU. It's called "Memorandum Of Understanding," but I decided to tie it.
As for overseas business, I started by creating a project team, although it is not detailed. As you can see here, we are in the process of concluding a memorandum of understanding with the Vietnam Expressway Company. We will conclude on the 22nd.
The contents of the memorandum are still at the entrance, but it is the exchange of technical information, personnel exchanges such as training, and the implementation of the contents agreed by both parties.
Our company has sent a team to Vietnam, and tomorrow, our managing director Nishiyama and the former president of the road public society will sign the agreement.
In addition, I would like to report on these new attempts each time.
That concludes my explanation.

(Moderator)

Then, thank you if you have any questions.

(Reporter)

It is a memorandum of understanding with the Vietnam Road Corporation, but what is the number of such memorandums to be concluded?

(Chairman)

it's the first time.

(Reporter)

It's still an entrance, but if you want to do something like this, please tell us a few things.

(Chairman)

I have no time to talk about my dreams, but I think it would be nice if I could say that I have no abilities now, and I am not fully elaborating what the other person thinks, so I will tell you at this stage. I'm not ready. For the time being, we will exchange various information and we will be able to properly decide as a partner, so I think that it will be concrete if we freely exchange information in various ways and accept training etc. here. People come and go. I think it's okay to have our employees stationed there. In that way, I think that personnel exchanges will begin and then progress from there. It is really about the future, including the contents of your question.

(Reporter)

I think that the project team of Central Japan High Speed will do it in Vietnam. Is this related to any national policy?

(Chairman)

Although it is not directly linked, when Prime Minister Abe went to Vietnam while he was in office, he said that he will cooperate with the other government in the future. I don't know the detailed contents, but I think that it is a theme that the country thinks positively because there are about three points such as Expressway and railways. Therefore, I would like to cooperate with the country.

(Reporter)

Shin-Meishin Expressway name, but what impact do you think the company will have as a company, such as increased sales of SA and PA?

(Chairman)

There is no doubt that traffic will come from the north, so I think it will increase. However, I think that the north circumference will decrease by that amount, so there is a question as to the total amount, so it is not possible to easily calculate only the south circumference increase. As a whole, I think there will be a slight increase in revenue.
Also, although there is one SA in our section, we do not expect much of that direct income because we are entrusted with restaurant operations and other activities to the third sector.
We believe that the annual sales will increase by about 2 billion yen only in our section around the south. However, considering the decrease in revenue in the north, it is not the only thing, so I would like you to understand that with a reason.

(Reporter)

Shin-Meishin Expressway will open on February 23 next year. As I introduced earlier, I will continue to promote public relations using posters and new characters, so I would appreciate your favor.

(Chairman)

The mascot character is "Shinme-chan", and I am thinking that I will do the opening public relations poster because "Energy flows in the middle of Japan". Thank you.

(Reporter)

Now, I would like to continue with an additional explanation from Inokuma in the context of the above.

(Chairman)

I have confirmed where I could not answer earlier, so I will answer.
First of all, as to the question as to whether there is a place where it is currently set in the situation as shown in the photo, there is one place of a product of another manufacturer, not the product of Kurimoto. The place is in the jurisdiction of Shimizu construction office. Here, we are expanding the width of the road by expanding the existing bridge.The number of cylindrical formwork is about 2 instead of 10 as shown in the photo, but it is done by the work of widening the narrow range. It is what
Then, about 2,200 bridges, which I mentioned earlier, is exactly 2,223 bridges. This is 2,223 bridges of main line bridges managed by Central Japan Expressway, counting each bridge as 1 bridge if there is an upper or lower line.
There are almost no hollow slab bridges under construction. On the other hand, I have not confirmed whether I used the product of Kurimoto Ironworks, but I will hand out a paper stating the location of this type of bridge at an in-use bridge near this.

(Moderator)

So would you have any questions, including additional explanations?

(Reporter)

Where is Shimizu by address?

(Chairman)

It is a place called Kusugaya, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City.

(Reporter)

The discount is Isewangan Expwy, but what about the impact on toll revenue?

(Chairman)

Half of the service was offered as the traffic on the Isewangan Expressway tripled in 80 days, but the total revenue increased by about 50 million yen. Now that this service has ended, I hope you think that traffic has returned to its original state.

(Moderator)

Unless you have any other questions, we will end today's regular and emergency press conferences.
Thank you for being busy today.

(Chairman)

Thank you very much.