1. Home
  2. About Us
  3. About JSCE

About Us

About JSCE

Japan Society of Civil Engineers

Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE) was established as an incorporated association in 1914 entrusted with the mission to contribute to the advancement of scientific culture by promoting the field of civil engineering and the expansion of civil engineering activities. Since its establishment, JSCE has endeavored to achieve the above mission, through extensive activities including scientific exchange among members, researchers / promotion of science and technologies relating to the field of civil engineering, social involvement, etc. Over the years, the JSCE membership has increased significantly from the initial 443 members to approximately 39,000 members at present, and is currently engaged in various wide-ranged activities around the world.

With the birth of the 21st century, JSCE has reconfirmed its goals to exert perpetual efforts
1) to propose an idea for social infrastructure development in the future from civil engineers' perspective,
2) to acquire a steadfast relationship of mutual trust with the society,
3) to promote scientific and technological researches/studies with a high degree of transparency, and
4) to evaluate public works from a neutral standpoint, and to reach a social consensus on those proper standards.
Furthermore, JSCE will implement such new indispensable programs as Civil Engineers' Qualification System, Continuing Professional Development, etc., for the benefit of creating an environment where civil engineers can widely take on an active role in the international community, and where civil engineering technologies may contribute to the amenity of the people both in and outside of Japan.

The above text is excerpts from the article "Remarks upon Publication" published in "Civil Engineering, JSCE" vol.39, 2001.

>>>JSCE Brochure

>>>JSCE-At-A-Glance (As of November, 2020)

Works of JSCE

Publication of Periodicals for Mutual Communication among Civil Engineers

JSCE has been publishing the Japanese monthly magazine, "Civil Engineering" and the monthly JSCE Journals ever since its foundation for the mutual communication among civil engineers and the promotion of civil engineering technology. These periodicals have been valued eminently and attracting the attention of not only civil engineers and the mass media, but also of those personnel engaged in public works and social infrastructure development. JSCE also publishes the annual English magazine, which contain selected articles from the Japanese version, as well as the JSCE Newsletter (also in English), and many others to make available the latest information to the overseas members.

Editing of Books and Publications on Civil Engineering

Over the years, the Publishing activities of JSCE has produced a great number of books and printed materials in addition to the periodicals. The recent expansion in published items marks one of the most remarkable trends of the Society. These publications include summaries of research and studies performed by the numerous committees covering over the diverse fields of engineering, including those carried out by special editorial committees. "Handbook of Civil Engineering," "Standard Specifications for Concrete," "Standard Specifications for Tunnel," "Hydraulic Formula," are some examples that indicate the technical standards of the civil engineering field, regarded as indispensable and fundamental documents that contribute to the technological advancement of the field. 

Open "Place" for Presenting the Results of Studies and Researches

A vast number of committees are established in JSCE to implement studies and researches on specialized subjects. Some committees are assigned to hold meetings on necessary occasions such as lecture assemblies, training sessions, symposiums, conferences, and panel discussions in order to provide the members with opportunities to present the results of their original studies and researches. In addition to this, JSCE is also very attentive in popularizing the knowledge on civil engineering technologies through means of field study trips to construction sites, film exhibitions, and other events. 

Presenting Awards to Promote Development and Further Research in Civil Engineering

To promote development and encourage excellent research in the area of civil engineering through presentation of various awards is one of the most important activities of JSCE. It first has started as the Civil Engineering Society Award in 1920. At present, there are as many as eleven categories: Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award, Thesis Award, Incentive Award, Innovative Technique Award, Book of the Year Award, Environmental Award, JSCE International Award, Yoshida Award (in commemoration of Dr. Tokujiro Yoshida) for excellent research in concrete engineering, Tanaka Award (in commemoration of Dr. Yutaka Tanaka) for excellent bridge work or bridge engineering, and the Technical Service Award. 

Civil Engineering Library

The Civil Engineering Library was established for the purpose of collecting and storing books and documents pertaining to the field of civil engineering. It possesses approximately 30,000 books and 700 different journals. "The Inventory of Library" is also published to provide information on what is available at the library. It is one of the most outstanding libraries of its kind in the world. The library functions as an "information center" and is open to all those related to the field of civil engineering as well as to the general public. While gradually but steadily accumulating contemporary documents, it has also collected historical materials like those involving cultural artifacts. The "Film Library" on the other hand, has been established for audio-visual education, founded to encourage popularization of knowledge and the promote advancements in technologies. This library is open to the general public as well. 

International and Domestic Communication with Relative Academic Societies and Associations

Since its foundation, JSCE has been making positive efforts toward increasing opportunities for international exchanges among member engineers and researchers. JSCE's contributions in technological advancement are made from a global standpoint, based on a wide range of activities like international conferences, invitation of overseas engineers, and such to promote communication of technical information with relative academic societies and association outside of Japan. 

Exchanged visits between JSCE and other related overseas institutions and societies have become a propelling power for international communication. Every year, a delegation is organized in aim to expand and deepen the knowledge and expertise of JSCE members through observing overseas facilities and construction sites in the field of civil engineering.

JSCE also supports cross-disciplinary exchanges with academic societies, institutions, and associations of adjacent fields by co-sponsoring study sessions and symposiums as well as taking part in similar events organized by those bodies. 

Cooperation in the Development of Infrastructure

The various JSCE committees have executed wide, distinguished spectra of studies and researches, entrusted to them by public agencies. These committees have been playing a central role in the nationwide scale construction projects, by studying and evaluating basic technologies from highly technical viewpoints and providing their opinions. Planning the organizational management of more specialized subcommittees is also an important function of the committees. In the past, JSCE committees have been engaged in numerous national construction projects such as Honshu-Shikoku Bridges and Seikan Tunnel, greatly contributing to the development of infrastructure, responsible for offering proposals from a balanced standpoint.