This record is Version 1.4.2 of the discussion paper, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20806820. It updates Version 1.4.1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20794693. Version 1.4.2 is a focused correction update to the Japanese reference translation. The English authoritative main text and the main strategic, policy, governance, international-user pathway, implementation-safeguard, and evaluation-viewpoint content remain unchanged from Version 1.4.1. The English files are included in the Version 1.4.2 record with updated cover DOI/version metadata for record-level consistency. The purpose of this update is to correct the Japanese reference translation by restoring the body figures and the corresponding in-text figure references that were unintentionally absent in the previous Japanese translation file. The restored figures correspond to the conceptual figures in the English version: the transition from facility-first access to question-first, AI-assisted support; the user-centric and AI-enabled access framework; and the recommended roadmap. Version 1.4.2 includes the English version of the discussion paper and a corrected Japanese reference translation. The files included in this version are: the English LaTeX source, the English PDF, the Japanese PDF reference translation, and the English explanatory slide PDF. The Japanese PDF reference translation is updated to Version 1.4.2. The English main text is unchanged from Version 1.4.1; only the cover DOI/version metadata is updated for the Version 1.4.2 Zenodo record. The English explanatory slide PDF is included with updated Version 1.4.2 DOI metadata, but the slide content is unchanged from Version 1.4.1. The English version remains the authoritative version. No change is made in this version to the central argument established in Version 1.4.1. The paper continues to treat SPring-8-II not only as a major source upgrade, but also as an opportunity to redesign user support, complementary use, data workflows, and knowledge infrastructure for Japan’s photon science ecosystem. Access routes, proposal categories, beamtime allocation, industrial access, remote and mail-in use, data workflows, international user support, and cross-facility guidance are treated as parts of a broader user-support workflow rather than as separate administrative issues. The proposed Photon Science Portal continues to be described as a user-facing guidance, referral, and accountable handoff layer, not as a single global portal, a centralized decision-making authority, or an operational commitment already agreed among facilities. Any future guidance, referral, or handoff support should respect the operator, governance structure, access rules, technical responsibilities, data policies, and expertise of each participating facility. The AI concierge continues to be described as a human-accountable support tool for navigation, proposal preparation, preliminary screening, knowledge retrieval, safety and feasibility checks, and handoff to experts. It should not replace peer review, safety approval, beamline-scientist judgement, beamtime allocation, proprietary-status decisions, legal or compliance judgement, confidentiality handling, or formal institutional decision-making. The Japanese reference translation is provided to improve accessibility for Japanese readers and to support domestic discussion. The English version remains the authoritative version. The Japanese translation is provided for reference and communication purposes and should be interpreted in relation to the English original. This document is an author-prepared strategic discussion paper for international dialogue. It does not represent an official policy decision of RIKEN, JASRI, MEXT, or any facility-governance body. The views, proposals, and interpretations expressed in this paper are those of the author alone and do not represent the official views, policies, or decisions of the author’s affiliated institution or any related organization.
Osami Sakata (Tue,) studied this question.