The Japanese Standardization Systems: History and Current Status

The Japanese standardization systems played an important role in the growth of Japanese industries and economy after the Second World War. The roles of the Japanese standardization systems, in particular the Japanese Industrial Standards system, have historically adapted in accordance with technological advances and changes in industry and social structures. The standardization systems still have a significant role in the current global and interconnected economy. This article reviews historical roles of the Japanese standardization systems, and describes current opportunities and challenges of the standardization systems including the recent revision of the Industrial Standardization Act of Japan. This article also addresses treatment of intellectual property rights in standards, and briefly introduces some standardization systems in Japan other than the JIS system.