History & Mission
Founded in 1952 following the resumption of Japan’s aircraft industry as the Voluntary Aircraft Industry Roundtable, SJAC steadily expanded. In 1974, with government approval, it was reorganized as the Japan Aerospace Industries Association, incorporating the field of space development. After revising its Articles of Incorporation in line with public interest corporation reforms, SJAC transitioned to a General Incorporated Association in 2012 upon approval by the Cabinet Office.
SJAC aims to promote the sound development of Japan’s aerospace industry by encouraging the production of aerospace equipment and expanding trade, thereby contributing to industrial advancement, improved quality of life, and the growth of the global aerospace industry.
Today, SJAC comprises approximately 130 companies engaged in the development, manufacturing, repair, and air transport of aircraft, satellites, rockets and their engines, as well as related equipment, materials, and trading activities in Japan.
Activities
To achieve these objectives, SJAC conducts the following activities:
- Research on the production, distribution, trade, and markets of aerospace equipment
- Research on improving the management and technology of aerospace manufacturing and repair businesses
- Research, development, and dissemination of standards for aerospace production technology
- Collection, preparation, provision, and exhibition of materials and information on aerospace equipment
- Liaison and exchange with related institutions and organizations in the aerospace field
- Other activities necessary to achieve the objectives of the Association
History
| 2025 | Co-hosted the 1st Japan–France Space Industry Dialogue with GIFAS at the 55th Paris Air Show |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Held the 2024 International Aerospace Exhibition (Tokyo Big Sight) |
| 2023 | Exhibited at the 54th Paris Air Show, resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2022 | Exhibited at the 2022 Farnborough Airshow, resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021 | 54th Paris Air Show canceled due to COVID-19 |
| 2020 | Office relocated (Hulic JP Akasaka Building) |
| 2019 | Roundtable meeting with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kajiyama (Hotel Okura) |
| 2018 | International Aerospace Exhibition 2018 Tokyo (Tokyo Big Sight) |
| 2017 | Submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Defense regarding the early launch of a domestic next-generation fighter development program |
| 2016 | Held the 2016 International Aerospace Exhibition (Tokyo Big Sight) |
| 2015 | Held the first joint reception with the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada at the 51st Paris Air Show |
| 2014 | Held a lecture meeting on the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment (Grand Hill Ichigaya) |
| 2013 | Held the 8th Japan–France Joint Workshop on Supersonic Technology (Paris) |
| 2012 | Held the 2012 International Aerospace Exhibition (Port Messe Nagoya and Chubu Centrair International Airport) Held the 7th Japan–France Joint Workshop on Supersonic Technology (Nagoya) |
| 2011 | Held the 6th Japan–France Joint Workshop on Supersonic Technology (Paris) |
| 2010 | Held the SJAC Lecture Commemorating 100 Years of Aviation in Japan (Kasumigaseki Kaikan) Held the 5th Japan–France Joint Workshop on Supersonic Technology (Tokyo) Roundtable meeting with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ohata (Hotel Okura) |
| 2009 | Held the 4th Japan–France Joint Workshop on Supersonic Technology (Paris) Roundtable meeting with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Naoshima (Hotel Okura) |
| 2008 | Held the 2008 International Aerospace Exhibition (Pacifico Yokohama, including helicopter demonstration flights) Held the 3rd Japan–France Joint Workshop on Supersonic Technology (Tokyo) |
| 2007 | Held the 2nd Japan–France Joint Workshop on Supersonic Technology (Paris) |
| 2006 | Held the 1st Japan–France Joint Workshop on Supersonic Technology (Tokyo) |
| 2005 | Signed an agreement with GIFAS on joint research on supersonic technology at the 46th Paris Air Show Roundtable meeting with Minister of Economy Nikai (Hotel Okura) |
| 2004 | Held the 2004 International Aerospace Exhibition (Pacifico Yokohama, including helicopter demonstration flights) |
| 2003 | Published “50 Years of Japan’s Aerospace Industry” Roundtable meeting with Director General of the Defense Agency Shigeru Ishiba (Grand Hill Ichigaya) Held the Japan–France Aerospace Symposium (Tokyo and Nagoya) |
| 2002 | 50th Anniversary General Assembly and Celebration (Capitol Tokyu Hotel) |
| 2001 | Established the Japan Aerospace Quality Group (JAQG) Established the Aircraft Industry EDI Center |
| 2000 | Held the 10th International Aerospace Exhibition TA2000 (Tokyo Big Sight, indoor exhibition) |
| 1999 | Joined the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) First participation in Aerospace North America (3 companies) Established the SJAC Aerospace Standard (SJAC 9100) |
| 1998 | Exhibited at the “Aerospace Industry Science and Technology Fair ’98” |
| 1997 | Office relocated (1-chome Akasaka, NOF Tameike Building) |
| 1996 | First participation in the Seoul Air Show (6 companies) |
| 1995 | Held the 9th International Aerospace Exhibition (Makuhari Messe, indoor exhibition) Dispatched a “Space Industry Demand Trend Survey Mission” to the U.S., Spain, and France Published the 500th issue of the SJAC Journal First participation in the Beijing Air Show (6 companies) |
| 1994 | Dispatched an East Asia mission to the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and China (remote sensing survey) |
| 1993 | Roundtable meeting with Minister of International Trade and Industry Yoshiro Mori (Akasaka Prince Hotel) Received the Minister of International Trade and Industry Award at the 6th Japan Industrial Culture Film Festival for the SJAC-produced video “Opening the New Space Age” Dispatched a “Canada Space Industry Cooperation and Exchange Mission” |
| 1992 | Held the 18th General Assembly and 40th Anniversary Ceremony (Tokyo Kaikan) China Aerospace Industry Friendship Delegation visited China First participation in the Berlin Air Show (5 companies) |
| 1991 | Roundtable meeting with Minister of International Trade and Industry Eiichi Nakao (Capitol Tokyu Hotel) Held the 8th International Aerospace Exhibition (Makuhari Messe, indoor exhibition) First participation in the Malaysia Air Show (10 companies) |
| 1990 | Dispatched a survey mission to Europe on overseas technology trends in spaceplanes Dispatched a survey mission to five major U.S. and European aircraft manufacturers (related to supersonic transport development) Formally joined ISO/TC20 (Aircraft and Space Vehicles) |
| 1989 | Held the International Space Forum (Tosho Hall) First participation in Air Show Canada (6 companies) |
| 1988 | First participation in the Australia Air Show (5 companies) |
| 1987 | First participation in the 4th Singapore Air Show (8 companies) Published “Postwar History of Japan’s Aerospace Industry” Held the first summit meeting with the Aerospace Industries Association of America (AIA) in Paris Dispatched survey missions to North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania (50–100 seat class civil aircraft market survey) |
| 1986 | First participation in the 16th Hannover Air Show (10 companies) First participation in the Indonesia Air Show (8 companies) |
| 1985 | Published “The Postwar Development of Japan’s Aerospace Industry” |
| 1983 | Held the 7th International Aerospace Show (JASDF Gifu Air Base, with demonstration flights) |
| 1980 | Established the Advanced Aircraft Technology Development Center |
| 1979 | Published the report “Policies for the Promotion of Japan’s Aircraft Equipment Industry” Held the 6th International Aerospace Show (JASDF Iruma Air Base, with demonstration flights) |
| 1978 | First participation in the 23rd Farnborough Air Show (14 companies) |
| 1976 | Office relocated (1-chome Yurakucho, Hibiya Park Building) Held the 5th International Aerospace Show (JASDF Iruma Air Base, with demonstration flights) |
| 1975 | Dispatched a survey mission on jet engines to Europe and the United States Dispatched a survey mission on aviation conditions in the Middle East |
| 1974 | Succeeded to the space-related operations of the Japan Rocket Development Council (dissolved) Reorganized as the Japan Aerospace Industries Association (Incorporated Association) |
| 1973 | Dispatched a European market survey mission on aircraft-related equipment (co-hosted with the Japan Machinery Exporters’ Association) Held the 4th International Aerospace Show (JASDF Iruma Air Base, with demonstration flights) Dispatched a U.S. survey mission on the light aircraft parts market |
| 1972 | Joined the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA) Held the 22nd General Assembly and 20th Anniversary Ceremony (Hotel New Otani) |
| 1971 | First participation in the 29th Paris Air Show (22 companies) Held the 3rd International Aerospace Show (JASDF Komaki Air Base, with demonstration flights) |
| 1968 | Held the 2nd Tokyo Aerospace Show (JASDF Iruma Air Base, with demonstration flights) |
| 1967 | Together with the Society of Japanese Aircraft Industries and Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Co., requested capital increases from related companies to establish a mass-production system for the YS-11 |
| 1966 | Held the 1st Tokyo Aerospace Show (JASDF Iruma Air Base, with demonstration flights) |
| 1964 | Dispatched a survey mission to Southeast Asia and Australia on aircraft markets Compiled “On the World’s Aviation Industry” (the predecessor to “World Aerospace Industry,” first published in Newsletter No. 127) |
| 1962 | Held the 12th General Assembly and 10th Anniversary Ceremony (Japan Industrial Club) |
| 1961 | Office relocated (2-chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda Building) |
| 1959 | Compiled “On Japan’s Aviation Industry” (the predecessor to “Japan’s Aerospace Industry,” first published in Newsletter No. 63) |
| 1954 | Merged with the Aircraft Parts Roundtable and renamed the Society of Japanese Aircraft Industries Established the Kansai Branch (decided at the 20th Board Meeting) Published the first edition of the “Aviation Industry Yearbook” (1954 edition) |
| 1953 | Renamed the Aviation Industries Association Published the first issue of the Association Newsletter |
| 1952 | Founded as the Voluntary Aircraft Industry Roundtable (Office: Marunouchi 3-chome, Mitsubishi Naka No. 6 Building) |
