On a minimal factorization conjecture (Q2381635)

Let \(\phi :S\rightarrow D\) be a proper holomorphic map from a connected complex surface \(S\) onto the open unit disk \(D\subset {\mathbb C}\), with \(0\in D\) as its unique singular value, and having fiber genus \(g>0\). The authors prove for \(g=1\) the conjecture [formulated in \textit{M. Ishizaka}, J. Math. Soc. Japan 58, No. 2, 585--594 (2006; Zbl 1100.14005)] that the factorization of the monodromy \(f\in {\mathcal M}_g\) around \(\phi ^{-1}(0)\) in terms of right-handed Dehn twists has the least number of factors among all possible factorizations of \(f\) as a product of right-handed Dehn twists in the mapping class group. In the case \(g\geq 2\) when formulating the conjecture one assumes that \(\phi\) admits a deformation whose fibers are all of simple Lefschetz type.