Sendai Declaration 2000
onInfrastructure Development andCivil Engineering Technology- Civil Engineer's Resolution Infrastructure is the fundamental element to ensure public safety and welfare. Since
the beginning of human history to present, civil engineering technology has madesignificant contributions to the expansion of economic activities and improvement ofliving standards along with the development of infrastructure. We are proud that thecountry has developed infrastructures rapidly than anywhere else in the world after theWorld War II, that it has made a great effort to overcome the problems due to a fragileland of the country, and that a number of civil engineers in field, laboratory and others
have contributed to the enhancement of human welfare and have strived to build
communication with the general public.
However, as it is continuously advanced and diversified into other forms of engineering,
civil engineering technology has happened to make more sever and complicatedinfluences upon not only the environment, but also the human society. Meanwhile, civilengineers have not gained the public’s full understanding of their social and historicalcontributions and responsibilities for infrastructure improvement; as a result, they
have faced criticism for failing to respond to the public’s needs.
Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE), consisted of civil engineering practitioners,
researchers and others affirmed its noble mission and tremendous responsibility to thesociety and announced "the Beliefs and Principles of Practice for Civil Engineers" inMarch 1938. This was the first ethical code announced ever by a professional
engineering society in Japan. It was a statement of civil engineers that they should be
the persons of wisdom and highest integrity, who employ their expertise and skills toharmonize between the environment and human community.

− 1 −Also, in May 1999, JSCE revised the above code and established the "Code of Ethics for
Civil Engineers," which defines civil engineer’s professional conducts and describes theintegrity, honor and dignity of the civil engineering profession. Clause 4 states that a
civil engineer shall “perform civil engineering work from a broad perspective based on
his/her specialized expertise and experience regardless of his/her organizationalaffiliation.” Clause 14 advises that a civil engineer shall “actively explain thesignificance and role of his/her own work and respond sincerely to any criticism of such
explanation. Further, evaluate objectively the work completed by himself/herself and byothers, and express positively individual opinions.”
Being aware of the public’s demand for reconsideration of further infrastructuredevelopments, JSCE responded to it by issuing this Sendai Declaration 2000: It,
containing the Society’s philosophy, mission and strategies to enhance the welfare ofsociety, was a pledge to enforce the Code of Ethics among civil engineering
professionals.

A Civil Engineer shall:(Significance of Infrastructure Development)
1. Engage in building, maintaining and utilizing infrastructures to create "abeautiful national land," "a safe and comfortable life," and "a prosperoussociety."(Principle 1 - Harmonization with Nature and Sustainable Development)
2. Respect the nature while giving the highest priority to the safety, welfare, andhealth of generations today and in the future, and shall endeavor to preserve
and work with nature and the global environment for the sustainable
development of mankind.

(Principle 2 – Respect for Regionality)
3. Give due respect for regionality, and encourage a local community to govern
itself in accordance with its own characteristics without forcing a standardized
strategy for development on it.

− 2 −(Principle 3 - Respect for Historical Heritage and Tradition)
4. Show due respect for historical, archeological and cultural heritage, local
characteristics, culture, climate and tradition and also promote new culturesand civilizations.
(Strategy 1 - Communication and Accountability to the Public)
5. Acknowledge their professional responsibility for infrastructure development
and build communication with the public in order to acquire its understanding
and support and to fulfill accountability for their duties and services to thepublic.
(Strategy 2 – Clarification of Visions and Plans)
6. Define medium and long-term visions for national and local developments andtake initiative in mapping out the directions toward these visions.
(Strategy 3 – Introduction of Time Management Concept)
7. Introduce the time management concept in all stages of infrastructure project
development, from planning to operation, taking into account the opportunity
losses of delayed projects and the benefits of early completion.

(Strategy 4 - Fair Evaluation and Competition)
8. Strengthen interdisciplinary and internationally competitive technologies andhuman resources, improve JSCE Civil Engineers’ Qualification System, andpromote competitive selections between individual engineers and between
organizations on the basis of fair and just evaluation of skill, expertise andcreativity.

(Strategy 5 – Technical Development for Infrastructure Development)
9. Improve their professional skills, knowledge and competence on a continuingbasis. In particular they shall exert all efforts to improve their performance ofproject management, cost saving, development of new technologies including
recycling ones to contribute to the benefits of the global community.

− 3 −Japan Society of Civil Engineers shall:In pursuance of the aforesaid purpose, offer suggestions for further improvements ofinstitutions, systems and other rules concerning infrastructure development and give
all possible assistance to maintain and advance civil engineers’ skills, knowledge andcompetence.

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(Promulgated on November 22, 2000 by the Board of Directors, Japan Society of CivilEngineers)− 4 −