Celebrating the 120th Anniversary of the Central Inspection Institute of Weights and Measures
Founded in December 1903, the Central Inspection Institute of Weights and Measures, which later became NMIJ, initiated the dissemination of modern measurement standards throughout Japan. As we approach 2023, we celebrate the 120th anniversary of the formal establishment of these standards.
Over the years, this central organization for standardized measurement technologies has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's industrial and scientific landscape, thereby contributing significantly to both economic growth and scientific advancements.
| Year | Topics |
|---|---|
| 1903 | Establishment of the Central Inspection Institute of Weights and Measures |
| 1958 | Relocated from Ginza in Chuo-ku to Itabashi-ku, Tokyo |
| 1961 | Renamed to National Research Laboratory of Metrology |
| 1980 | Relocated from Itabashi-ku to Sakura-mura, Niihari-gun (now Tsukuba City), Ibaraki |
| 2001 | Restructuring of central government ministries led to the establishment of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and resulted in the merger of National Institutes in charge of metrology standards to form the NMIJ |
After undergoing two name changes, the Central Inspection Institute of Weights and Measures transitioned into the National Research Laboratory of Metrology in 1961. During this period, the institute relocated from Ginza in Chuo-ku to Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. Later, in 1979, it moved again from Itabashi-ku to Sakura-mura, Niihari-gun (now Tsukuba City), Ibaraki. In April 2001, a significant restructuring of central government ministries led to the establishment of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). This reorganization resulted in the merger of various entities, including the National Research Laboratory of Metrology and the Weights and Measures Training Institute, as well as relevant departments from the Electrotechnical Laboratory and the National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research. This merger culminated in the formation of NMIJ, which now serves as the central hub for the integrated and comprehensive implementation of measurement standards within the fields of physics, electricity, and chemistry.
Currently, NMIJ comprises four Research Institutes, the Center for Quality Management of Metrology, the Research Planning Office of NMIJ, and the Collaboration Promotion Office of NMIJ.
NMIJ is committed to advancing measurement standards, refining measurement and analysis technologies, and ensuring the reliability of measurements used in commercial transactions within the realm of legal metrology.
The Central Inspection Institute of Weights and Measures, established in 1903 on the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce (Kobiki-chou, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo-shi, now known as Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo).
Relocated from Ginza, Chuo-ku to Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, in 1952.
Relocating operations from Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, to Sakura-mura, Niihari-gun (now Tsukuba City), Ibaraki, in 1979.
Established the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in 2001. This reorganization resulted in the formed the NMIJ.