Standard Business

In 1956, the Machinery Industry Promotion Temporary Measures Law (hereafter referred to as the Machinery Law) was enacted and promulgated. At the same time as the enactment and promulgation, a technical committee and a standard committee were established. The establishment of the Japan Gear Manufacturers Association standard “JGMA” was started in order to improve the technology of the gear industry. In the same year, the first edition of the “accuracy of spur and helical gears” standards was established, and 57 standards have been established to date.
These Japan Gear Manufacturers Association standards “JGMA” take into consideration the consistency with ISO international standards and other standards of industrialized countries, and have been successively adopted as Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS).
As for the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), in response to a cabinet decision in October 1996, it was decided that “the current Japanese Industrial Standards will be abolished and new Japanese Industrial Standards that are consistent with ISO will be successively enacted.” Under the guidance, we are working on the establishment and revision of JIS that is consistent with ISO standards, and the establishment of standards accompanying the development of new technologies.
Regarding the establishment and revision of ISO international standards, the Gear Manufacturers Association, as the only organization representing Japan, receives a commission from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to create a draft international standard. We reflect our opinions and participate in the creation and revision of international standards.　
As mentioned above, there is a demand for harmonization between JIS and ISO international standards, and it is important for the Japanese gear manufacturing industry and users to actively work on international standards from the stage of drafting. To everyone involved, this is extremely important for Japan’s national interests.

Technical Exchange with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Japan is registered as a ‘P’ member (active participating member) in ISO (International Organization for Standardization) / TC (Technical Committee) 60 (gears), and actively participates in various international conferences. Japan encourages the exchange of opinions with global engineers around the world and interchanges information, playing a major role in international research and goodwill.
In addition, it is essential to take the initiative and participate in international standards from the stage of drafting, according to the national policy of “proactive transition to harmonization of Japanese Industrial Standards with corresponding ISO international standards”.
In addition, participating in deliberations and stating Japan’s position and opinions will be of great benefit to the Japanese gear manufacturing industry.
In the fall of 2019, ISO/T60/WG2 (gear accuracy) and ISO/T60/SC1 were held from November 15th to 19th, in conjunction with the ISO/IEC joint meeting on wind turbine gearboxes. Two working group meetings of /WG4 were held at Kikaishinkokaikan.

International Exchange Business

Dispatch of Overseas Researching Delegation

In 1958, Japan dispatched the first European and American Researching Delegation, and has continued this trend to the present day. During this time, we visited leading gear companies in Europe and the United States as well as machine tool trade fairs and are always working to exchange with overseas companies and collect technical information.

Exchange with Overseas Organizations “Gear Summit”

In 1991, the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Department of State, claiming that the decline of the U.S. gear industry was caused by an increase in imports of gears from Japan and Europe. An investigation was demanded into the impact of gears on national defense. The association submitted a counterargument under the guidance of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (currently the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and the U.S. Department of State conducted an investigation and determined that the matter “does not threaten the national security of the U.S.” It was settled amicably.
In the end, this lawsuit also resulted from a lack of mutual understanding of the actual situation. In 1993, the 1st Gear Summit was held in Germany. Since then, it has been held five times in total, playing a major role in promoting international exchange and goodwill.
In the fall of 2002, the 6th conference was held in Japan, and not only the usual 3 regions of Japan, the United States, and Europe were present, but the global conference was increased to include such countries as China, Taiwan, and Australia.
It is expected that the number of participating regions will be further expanded in the future, and that the event will develop into a “World Gear Summit.”

Education Business

Implementation of Tours of ‘Best in Class’ Companies and Execution of Workshops and Lectures on Examples of Various Development Activities

Under the name of “Management Workshops,” seminars and lectures are held throughout the country based on best practice examples of technology and human resource development, education, business management, etc. For the purpose of strengthening management and technical capabilities, participants acquire useful information and knowledge on management and technology through these workshops. Business development and building rapport among members are also key outputs from the workshops.

Support for Core Human Resource Development Projects

“JGMA Gear College (Gear Technology Course)”
JGMA Gear College inherits the universal gear technology and know-how accumulated from the past experts to the present young engineers and aims to quickly introduce knowledge and technology to the manufacturing site. This ultimately enhances the global competitiveness of the gear industry. This GT course was held with the aim of contributing to maintenance and improvement.
In 2005, the “Manufacturing Super Core Human Resource Center” was established at Kyushu University Graduate School as an industry-government-academia collaboration project.
(From 2008, the name was changed to “Monodzukuri Engineering Education and Research Center” as an independent project of Kyushu University.)
The program started in 2005 and has produced a large number of graduates. Graduates are active at the forefront of on-site work as promising ‘Talent’ who will lead the next generation of the gear industry.

“JGMA Gear College Follow-up Workshop”
A supplementary course offered to for JGMA Gear College graduates with the aim of supporting the construction of new collaboration and cooperation systems beyond companies, such as wide-ranging technical exchanges and solutions to common technical problems. Launched as a new business in 2016, we hold workshops several times a year.