The overall R&D schedule has been delayed by approximately one year compared to the proposal, mainly due to a lack of resources.

For milestone M1.6 in the proposal, engineering studies such as the assembly method for the scintillator strips, are currently in progress. We will have a beam test at KEK in May-June for a better understanding of the current prototype. We hope to begin work on other R&D items related to the improved components later this year. 

The proposed deliverable D1.6 — full-layer prototype with improved components and beam tests — will also be delayed by about one year accordingly.

We are still lacking dedicated funding, but we plan to apply for joint China-Japan funding later this year.

We are discussing how to update the resource tables, although there are many uncertainties.