The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued her visit to Japan today (October 30). She toured a number of innovation and technology (I&T) institutions and facilities, including Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City in Chiba Prefecture and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Ibaraki Prefecture as well as the University of Tsukuba, and met with the Mayor of Tsukuba City.
 
     In the morning, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Nicholas W Yang; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Dr Sunny Chai; and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, Dr George Lam, Mrs Lam visited Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City to learn about its developments in innovation, health services and smart city initiatives. Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City, a public-private partnership project commenced in 2001 and involving a developer, employs advanced technology to create a liveable neighbourhood which is environmentally friendly, favourable to development of new industries and suitable for people of all ages. The city is the first in Japan to produce and distribute electricity with a smart grid to increase the use of solar energy and reduce power consumption.
 
     Mrs Lam and the other officials then visited the AIST in Ibaraki Prefecture and were briefed by its President, Dr Ryoji Chubachi, on the operation and research achievements of the AIST. Founded in 2001, the AIST is one of the largest public research organisations in Japan and about 2 000 researchers work at research bases across the country. They conduct studies in I&T and scientific research in various fields and help with transformation of technological achievements so as to strengthen the competitiveness of Japanese industries and create new industries. Mrs Lam pointed out that there are exchanges between the universities in Hong Kong and the AIST and welcomed the AIST to collaborate with more universities and scientific research institutions in Hong Kong to promote mutual development in I&T.
 
     In the afternoon, Mrs Lam and the other officials had lunch with the Mayor of Tsukuba City, Dr Tatsuo Igarashi, to learn about the city's successful experience in promoting I&T and measures by the city government in attracting scientific research institutions and talents. Known as the "Science City of Japan", Tsukuba City has over 300 science and technology entities. She said that Hong Kong is striving to advance I&T development and expressed the hope of strengthening collaboration with Tsukuba at the government level to provide more opportunities for joint development for enterprises in the two cities.
 
     Mrs Lam and the other officials then visited the University of Tsukuba. Founded in 1973, the University of Tsukuba holds academic strengths in fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine and physical education, and has had three Nobel laureates and about 70 athletes who have participated in the Olympic Games. Mrs Lam said she was pleased to know that the university has international exchange arrangements with the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has also collaborated with it on publications. During the visit, while she was receiving a briefing by the school on its research on artificial intelligence and cybernics, she said that the Hong Kong Science Park will establish in Hong Kong two world-class research clusters on healthcare technologies and on artificial intelligence and robotics technologies to attract top local, Mainland and overseas universities, research and development institutions and scientific technology enterprises to establish a presence. She encouraged the University of Tsukuba to join the clusters and take part in scientific research projects in Hong Kong, and also welcomed its students to come to Hong Kong for exchanges.
 
     Mrs Lam called on the Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Mr Cheng Yonghua, and attended a dinner hosted by him in the evening. She thanked the embassy for its continuous support for the work of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo), and the assistance it offers to a large number of Hong Kong people visiting Japan when in need.
 
     At night, Mrs Lam met with around 200 Hong Kong people living, working and studying in Japan to learn about their everyday lives and updated them on Hong Kong's latest developments, including the recent commissioning of the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, which have enormously enhanced the connectivity between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
 
     Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Japan tomorrow (October 31).

        

     The Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, will visit Tokyo, Japan, and Shenzhen from tomorrow (October 31) to November 3.

     During her stay in Tokyo, Ms Cheng will lead a delegation of Hong Kong legal and dispute resolution practitioners to make presentations at the thematic session "From Deal Making to Dispute Resolution: Legal Risk Management for Enterprises in Japan", which is part of the "Think Global, Think Hong Kong" symposium organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. During the event, Ms Cheng will meet with representatives from legal and business associations in Japan to promote professional exchanges and Hong Kong's legal services. In addition, Ms Cheng will meet with senior government officials.

     Ms Cheng will then depart for Shenzhen on November 2 to attend the 3rd Qianhai Legal Intelligence Forum. The theme of the Forum this year is "International Commercial Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution". She will deliver a speech on the topic of "The Contribution of 'One Country, Two Systems' to the Sustainable Development of International Commercial Dispute Settlement".

     She will return to Hong Kong on November 3.

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, chaired the second meeting of the Commission on Children (Commission) today (October 30).
 
     The Commission agreed to establish four Working Groups to render full support for the Commission to take forward its committed work programmes. Apart from the agreement at the first meeting of the Commission to establish two Working Groups to focus on research, public engagement, public education and publicity, the Commission agreed to establish two additional Working Groups, one on children with special needs and the other on children protection.
 
     "The two additional Working Groups will respectively help review services and support for children with special needs and on children protection, as well as identify areas for improvement and recommend measures to bridge any service gaps on relevant support services. With the establishment of the four Working Groups, this would facilitate Members' more in-depth discussions on particular issues and formulation of practical proposals for the Commission's consideration. It would provide an effective mechanism for the Commission to address a host of priority issues for the early benefits of children," Mr Cheung said.
 
     Meanwhile, the meeting noted the measures related to school education, parent education and home-school co-operation regarding play time for children. These measures include emphasising "child-centredness" as the core value of the curriculum, and adopting the approach of "learning through play" as a learning and teaching strategy at the kindergarten stage. For the stage of primary schools, schools and parents are encouraged to leave suitable room and time for students/children to decide on their schedule for the development of multiple talents. There is also active promotion of parent education and home-school co-operation to enable parents to better understand the characteristics of children's growth and learning and to give their children appropriate care and support.
 
     The meeting also noted the efforts made by the Government in providing diversified, innovative and interesting outdoor play areas for children to have fun and enjoyment, develop their mind and body, and enhance their interaction with others. Major examples include ushering in new design concepts and bringing local community involvement in the design process, and organising creative and diversified activities in parks including collaboration with non-governmental organisations to enhance the play experience of children.
 
     The meeting also noted the support measures in the education of children of ethnic minorities, in particular in supporting schools and non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students to learn the Chinese language systematically, as well as providing multiple pathways for NCS students. These measures include continuing to implement and refine the Chinese Language Curriculum Second Language Learning Framework (Learning Framework); continuing to commission tertiary institutions to provide school-based professional support service for schools admitting NCS students to enhance teachers' professional capability; adapting the school-based curriculum, learning and teaching strategies and assessments with reference to the Learning Framework; and providing additional resources to assist schools in stepping up support for NCS students.

     Hipmex Form Work Construction Company Limited was fined $40,000 at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (October 30) for violation of the Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations. The prosecution was launched by the Labour Department.

     The case involved a fatal accident that occurred at a construction site in Sheung Wan in which a worker was found dead at the bottom of a lift shaft on October 20, 2017. It was believed that on October 17, 2017, the deceased fell from the opening of the lift shaft on 19th floor to the bottom of the lift shaft in the course of work.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 30) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.

     The male patient, aged 55 with underlying illness, who lives in a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Hung Hom, has developed fever since yesterday and was admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment on the same day. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and he is in a stable condition.
 
     The patient's urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history in the incubation period.

     "Epidemiological investigations with the RCHE are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs will be collected from potential sources for testing," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     Tracing of contacts including staff and residents in the RCHE where the patient stayed is ongoing and those identified will be put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and residents, including those with weakened immunity who should use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus that support breathing. People may get infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Persons with weakened immunity should strictly observe the health advice below:
 

1. Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
2. Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
3. If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     The public, including susceptible groups, should take heed of the general precautions against LD below:
 

• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute the infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:

     1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
     2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
     3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
     4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
     5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     More information is available in the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.