About JIMM

About us

Overview and Activity Status of the Japan Institute of Metals and Materials

1. Overview

The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials (JIM) is an academic society established on 14 February 1937 under a proposal by Dr. Kotaro Honda. It is aimed at “promoting the advancement of theory and industrial processes related to metals” and celebrated the 80th anniversary of its founding in 2017. On 1 March 2013, JIM became a public interest incorporated association.

At the end of February 2020, there were 4,885 individual members (both international and domestic) and 156 supporting members, which are company and association members who support the activities of JIM.

Until now, JIM develops activities as an academic society for globally disseminating research results about metals and related materials. In recent years, JIM has expanded its scope to also cover infrastructure materials, energy materials, eco-materials, electronic and information materials, biological and healthcare materials, and materials and society, and conducts various activities with the aim of activating academic and scientific technology in the fields of metals and related materials. JIM acts as a leading academic society in the field.

For the purpose of promoting academic and scientific technology in the field of metals and related materials, publication of academic journals and books, holding of conferences and seminars, conducting surveys and research, commendation and encouragement are being carried out.

2. Organization

The organization of JIM is composed of “General Assembly of representatives”, “Board of Directors” which is a decision-making body of business operations, ” Auditor-secretary” which is a business auditing organization, “Committee” which is business execution organization, “Regional branches”, and “Secretariat”.

2.1 Committees

JIM has established 23 committees, including the planning committee, the self-governance committee, the long-term vision committee, and the international academic exchange committee.

The strategic promotion committee and the scientific research fund committee conduct strategic materials activities with the aim of fostering academic research and scientific technology in the fields of metals and related materials.

The human resource nurturing committee conducts activities, such as by holding delivery lectures and creating websites aimed at high school students, with the aim of nurturing the human resources necessary to support the next generation of researchers and engineers.

The gender equality committee activities together with the Japan Inter-Society Liaison Association Committee for promoting Equal Participation of Men and Women in Science and Engineering (EPMEWSE) and conducts joint activities with the gender equality committee of the Iron and Steel Institute of Japan to promote the social advancement of women in materials fields.

2.2 Branches

There are eight regional branches, such as Hokkaido branch, Tohoku Branch, Kanto Branch, Tokai branch, Kansai branch, Hokuriku-Shinetsu Branch, Chugoku-Shikoku branch and Kyushu branch throughout Japan. Each branch holds its own annual meetings, workshops, Kotaro Honda memorial lecture, seminars, research meetings, workshops, tours and so on.

3. Activities

3.1 Publication

JIM publishes one magazine and two journal. Institute bulletin, Materia Japan is a monthly magazine distributed to members, with the aims of information exchange between members, enlightenment, and education. The Japanese-language academic journal, Journal of the Japan Institute of Metals and Materials is published monthly, and the English academic journal, Materials Transactions is published monthly in cooperation with 14 materials-related academic societies to widely disseminate research results internationally and domestically. Journal of the Japan Institute of Metals and Materials contains around 60 papers per year, and Materials Transactions contains around 370 papers per year.

JIM additionally publishes about 40 of specialist books and data-books on metals and related materials. In addition, JIM publish about 90 textbooks for seminars and about 50 proceedings for symposiums.

3.2 Meeting and Workshop

JIM holds Annual Spring Meeting in every March and Annual Fall Meeting in every September with the aim of presenting and discussing the latest research results and promoting interaction among members. Each annual meeting feature around 700-1000 presentations including oral presentations, poster presentations, Symposiums and 1200-1600 participants. Exhibition and luncheon seminars held at the conference venue let companies introduce the latest technologies. At the spring annual meeting, the Honda Memorial Lecture is given by a person with an outstanding record in academia and technology related to metals and other materials, and a company information session is held with the aim of assisting students with career selection and recruitment by companies.

JIM also holds several seminars, symposiums, and workshops each year with the aim of disseminating specialist knowledge, enlightenment, and education.

JIM has been the host organization for 25 international conferences to date, with PRICM9 (The 9th Pacific Rim International Conference on Advanced Materials and Processing) held in August 2016.

3.3 Surveys and Research

Nine subcommittees have been set up to promote research activities, presentation of research results, research group activities, and material strategy activities in each field.

In order to support the development of research in the field of metals, a “research group” has been set up to study research subjects in advanced fields and interdisciplinary fields. Currently, there are 10 research groups and 6 research groups for young researchers.

“Frontier Research Grants” are given to research on materials or processes, mainly for the purpose of developing academic and technical research in the field of metals and related materials, and fostering and encouraging young researchers.

3.4 Awards and Encouragements

Every year, 18 awards and encouragements are given. The purpose of these activities is to recognize those who have made good achievements in research and technology development and those who have contributed to the development of the field, and to encourage those who are expected to make future contributions.

4. Recommendation to enroll (Benefits of Joining)

The Japan Institute of Metals and Materials warmly welcomes enrollment of researchers and engineers aiming to push forward 21st century Japan. The institute bulletin Materia Japan is provided to members only, and members receive other privileges such as reduced prices for participation in the annual meetings, exemption from presentation fees, and lower prices when purchasing publications, as well as participation in seminars, symposiums, lectures, and presentation meetings held by the Institute at member discount prices.