Establishment and Activities of the MEMS Industry ForumMicro/nano/MEMS technologies are growing more and moreessential for the strengthening of Japan’s industrialcompetitiveness. Against this background, the MEMS IndustryForum (MIF) was established in April this year as a special councilof the Micromachine Center.
A party to commemorate the inauguration of the MEMS
Industry Forum was held on May 19 at the Shoko Kaikan Hall in
Kasumigaseki, Tokyo. The approximately 70 participants included
representatives of industry (full) members, associate members,
affiliated organizations, MEMS fellows (individuals), and Forum
advisers, and an enjoyable evening was had by all.
MEMS technology enables the creation of small, high-precision,high energy efficiency, high-performance devices; because thesecan be used as key devices in the expansion of various industrial
fields, and because government-industry-university cooperation
can be an effective means of developing MEMS technologies, party
participants expressed high expectations for the future endeavorsof the Forum as a core body promoting such development
activities.

industrial expansion, such as basic technologicaldevelopment, foundry networks, industry-university
cooperation, personnel training, formulation of regulation,standardization, and overseas expansion.
(2) Industry-University Cooperation: The Forum will undertaketo strengthen (through information exchange, etc.)
communication and cooperation between study group
activities related to cutting-edge technology status andsecond-generation technology issues; activities of cuttingedge technology exchange forums aimed at furthering
industry-university exchange in the micro-nano field; andMEMS-related research organizations, societies, anduniversity research laboratories within Japan.
(3) Activities to Enhance the MEMS R&D Infrastructure: TheForum will promote personnel training activities throughexpansion and strengthening of the foundry network,diffusion and promotion of MEMS-ONE, implementation ofMEMS lecture activities, and internship support.
(4) MEMS Business Domestic/International Exchange
Activities: The Forum will host “Micro/Nano 2006,” ageneral event to promote business exchange at the Tokyo
Forum according to the following schedule.
Nov. 6

Nov. 7-9
Nov. 7Nov. 8
Nov. 9The 2nd Workshop on Characterization ofMaterials for MEMS/MST Devices(Venue: Mitsubishi Building Conference Square)
17th Micromachine Exhibition
MEMS Forum
12th International Micromachine Nanotechnology
Symposium
MEMS-ONE Research Debriefing

The Forum will also establish an “MEMS Mall” that introduces
catalogues of new products – such as MEMS devices, foundries, andmanufacturing equipment – and new technologies in order tosupport the operation of the “MicroNano Net” as a forum for many
government-industry-university people involved in the micro/nano
field to come together on the Internet, as well as the invigoration ofMEMS business. Furthermore, as the permanent secretariat for theMicromachine Summit – a forum for the free discussion of thecurrent status and future expectations for education, technologicaltrends, policies, and other micromachine/MEMS-related topics invarious countries – the Forum will undertake a variety of activities topromote business exchange between companies, both within Japanand overseas, through participation in the Micromachine Summit
and other micro/nano-related events both in Japan and abroad.
Organization and implementation of MEMS Industry Forum
activities will be performed by three soon-to-be establishedcommittees – the Industrial Exchange Committee, International
Exchange Committee, and Foundry Service Industry Committee –under the guidance of the MEMS Industry Forum Promotion
Committee.

1. MEMS Industry Forum Activities
The MEMS Industry Forum comprises MEMS-relatedorganizations at its core. In continuing cooperation with affiliatedacademies, regional bases, and overseas organizations, the Forum
undertakes various activities – such as making MEMS policy
recommendations to government bodies and other relatedorganizations, industry-university cooperation, and industrial
exchange/invigoration – through which it aims to support thefurther development of the MEMS industry and thereby to thestrengthening of Japan’s industrial competitiveness on theinternational stage.
The Main Activities of the MEMS Industry Forum are asfollows.
(1) Policy recommendations: The Forum will makerecommendations to government bodies and other relatedorganizations concerning basic issues affecting MEMS

Special Council
Regional Affiliates

Government
METI NEOAdvisors

Formally established MEMS cluster

MEMS Industry Forum@MMC
Policy recommendation& industry exchange/invigoration activities
Industry Members
Businesses
Associate Members Groups
MEMS Fellows
Individuals

Academy Affiliates

Foreign Affiliates

University research laboratories
Research organizations Societies

Research organizations
Related groupsMicroNano Network

3

MEMS Industry Forum
Promotion Committee
Industrial Exchange
Committee
International Exchange
Committee
Foundry Service Industry
Committee