Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP) was first established by the Commonwealth Council (CSC) as a Regional Metrology Programme aimed at improving and extending national measurement services and promoting collaboration between Commonwealth nations in 1977, growing into a full regional programme in 1980. In the 80s, APMP mainly focused on supporting the developing economies. In the 90s, especially since the signature of the CIPM MRA (CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement), APMP has also been engaging in ensuring the international equivalence in the measurement standards as one of the important tasks. As of June 2022, 59 institutions from 40 economies are registered as members.
Japan served as Chair of APMP for 4 years from 1999 to 2003. International Metrology Cooperation Office of National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) was in commission as the secretariat for 8 years from 1999 until 2007. Dr. TAKATSUJI Toshiyuki, then Director of Research Institute for Engineering Measurement of NMIJ, was appointed as Chairperson in November 2016 with a three year term of office. International Cooperation Office of NMIJ also served as the Secretariat according to the term of Office of Chairperson until the General Assembly 2019.
At present, Dr. MORIOKA Takehiro, Group Leader of NMIJ, serves as an EC member and Dr. ABE Hisashi, Chief Senior Researcher of NMIJ, serves as Chair of Technical Committee for Thermometry (TCT).