National Metrology
Institute of Japan

Greetings from the Director General
USUDA Takashi
Director General of NMIJ
Executive Officer of AIST

Measurement standards play a vital role in society byguaranteeing the reliability of acts of measurement, and theresults of such acts, which make up the infrastructure of daily
life, industry, research, and much more. The National
Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), which is the national
metrology institute (NMI) in Japan, was established in 2001 as
a part of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Scienceand Technology (AIST) to integrate all former national
research institutes and related offices. Since then, NMIJ has
actively engaged in the establishment and dissemination ofinternationally equivalent measurement standards to society.
With the support and understanding of the stakeholders andindustries, calibration services that are traceable to the NMIJ
have become widespread under the Japan Calibration Service
System (JCSS). Additionally, we were heavily involved in thedetermination of the Planck constant for the kilogram, which
was one of the base units of the International System of Units(SI) redefined in May 2019. The NMIJ has contributed to thedevelopment of the international measurement standards andhas also carried out other fundamental, essential research
efforts that will be vital to the next generation of metrology andmeasurement standards.
However, as the state of the industrial world has grown morechallenging, the demand for ever more precise measurements
has grown beyond all initial expectations. As a result, the needfor ever more precise measurement standards, as well as fastand simple calibration services, has blossomed as well. We
even see this in our daily domestic lives, where there are
ongoing requirements to improve the reliability of commercial●

Department of Energy andEnvironment

Department of Life Science and●Biotechnology●

Department of Information
Technology and Human Factors●

Department of Materials andChemistry●

Department of Electronics andManufacturing● Geological Survey of Japan● National Metrology Institute of Japantransactions involving new types of consumption, such as
subscription services and the digital economy.
With these points in mind, the NMIJ will continue to work
earnestly on the development and dissemination of themeasurement standards that meet both the demands of industry
and the trends in our modern consumer society. At the sametime, we will continue our work on the development of
measurements and analysis technologies required by modern
industry and endeavor to ensure the reliability of measurements
used in commercial transactions in legal metrology.
AIST entered its 5-year-midterm period on April 1, 2020.
AIST has been pioneering solutions to social issues anddeveloping innovations that contribute to strengthening
economic growth and industrial competitiveness. Looking
ahead, AIST is focusing on the following three themes:- Enhancing research and development that lead to innovations
aimed at solving societal issues- Strengthening innovation ecosystems through the expansionof "bridging" functions- Developing the infrastructure underpinning innovation
ecosystems
The NMIJ will continue to work on research anddevelopment in collaboration with other AIST research
departments and external organizations to contribute to solving
these societal issues.
Accordingly, we would like to ask for your continued
understanding, support, and cooperation as we look ahead tothe future.

National Metrology Institute of Japan
Research Planning Officeof NMIJ
Collaboration Promotion Officeof NMIJHORIBA Institute for Particle Analysis
in AIST TSUKUBA

Research Institute forEngineering Measurement
Research Institute forPhysical Measurement
Research Institute for Material
and Chemical Measurement
Research Institute for Measurement
and Analytical Instrumentation
Center for Quality Managementof Metrology

NMIJ Public Relations Office
NMIJ International Cooperation Office
Metrology Quality Office
Reference Materials Office
Legal Metrology Management Office
Metrology Training Center

Activities Related to Measurement Standards andLegal Metrology
The NMIJ, in collaboration with other NMIs, is working on the smooth supply, dissemination, and enlightenmentof measurement standards, the quality control of supply services, the training of certified measurers, and theexecution of legal metrology services. To facilitate those efforts, we actively support numerous activities,
including those listed below.

Technical Seminars, Publications, and Personnel Training for Metrology●Technical Seminar and Publications

The NMIJ organizes a variety of activities such as seminars, lectures,symposium, NMIJ measurement club and presents displays at exhibitions, topromote the utilization of the measurement
standards and to enlighten on the need for
metrological traceability. In addition, NMIJ
disseminates the outcome of the activities
related to metrology and measurement
technologies via website and brochures.

●Personnel Training for Metrology

While the primary mission of our Metrology Training Center is to train
applicants for the national qualification of certified measurer, it also provides
various training activities to support
metrology-related personnel employed by
prefectural and city governments, as well as
engineers in private companies. These
opportunities include general measurement
training, special measurement training,
environmental measurement special training,and short-term measurement training.

Exhibition display

General measurement training

International Activities
In the current era of economic globalization, measuring instruments, calibration certificates,
and the results of type approval tests in legal metrology have become mutually recognizedby many countries as part of efforts to remove barriers to international trade. These mutual
recognitions are based on the premise that international equivalences in national
measurement standards and testing capabilities must be mutually confirmed and approved
among the participating countries. To make this system function more effectively, the NMIJ
is actively engaged in building cooperative relationships with international organizations
and other NMIs, and conducting international comparisons. We are also actively holding
international conferences and workshops, hosting overseas researchers, and supporting
developing countries by providing trainings.
The Emerging Scientist Workshop 2017, which was joined by young researchers from NMIJ,KRISS (Korea), and NIM (China)

Dissemination of the Measurement Standards●Calibration and Testing Services

The results of our research and development efforts for measurement standards are
disseminated to society through calibration and testing services. We also conductcalibration of reference standards and testing services for customers at our calibrationlaboratories. These services are conducted under a management system based on ISO/IEC
17025, thus ensuring their reliability and international equivalence.

●Distribution of the Certified Reference Materials

The NMIJ produces and distributes Certified Reference Materials (NMIJ CRMs), which areproduced by the NMIJʼs management system to comply with ISO 17034 and ISO/IEC 17025.
The CRMs are intended to facilitate the calibration of analytical instruments and for use in
the evaluation of analytical methods.
※ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories※ISO 17034
General requirements for the competence of reference material producers

NMIJ Certified Reference Materials

Legal Metrology▲◀

Radiated, radio-frequency,
electromagnetic field immunity
tests
Test equipment for high-capacity
load cells

In Japan, non-automatic weighing instruments (NAWI), automatic weighing instruments (AWI),
water meters, taximeters, and other measuring instruments that contribute significantly to thereliability of transactions and certifications are stipulated in the Measurement Act as specified
measuring instruments, and type approval for such instruments is required. The NMIJ is
responsible for issuing type approval for most of the specified measuring instruments and theinspection of verification standards. As a member of the International Organization of Legal
Metrology (OIML) Certification System (CS), the NMIJ is also responsible for maintaining a testinglaboratory as well as serving as an issuing authority in the instrument categories on R 60 (load cells)
and R 76 (non-automatic weighing instrument) in Scheme A. OIML certificates issued in othercountries may be accepted based on the mutual recognition arrangements made under OIML-CS.

Support for Manufacturing and Services

Support for Biological, Medical, and Agricultural Industries

Development of Advanced Measurement and Evaluation Technology

The NMIJ is developing measurement technologies that are indispensable for ensuring the reliability of IoT,
next-generation communication infrastructures that support high-quality product manufacturing, andemerging trends in various manufacturing industries such as automobiles.

The NMIJ is developing medical radiation evaluation technology that supports improvements to medical
equipment, quantitative evaluation and functional analysis technology that enables the expansion of the use of
biological components, and food-related measurement technology that will become indispensable for our
future safe living environments.

The NMIJ is aiming at the realization of advanced measurement and evaluation technologies that will lead to thecreation of new value for objects that are difficult to measure by extending existing technologies. These include
quantum measurements, ultra-trace measurements, and extreme state measurements.

Millimeter and Terahertz Waves
Measurement Technology

Time

Speed of sound and relative
permittivity measurement apparatus
using a cylindrical resonator

The SI unit of time, the second, is defined bytaking the fixed numerical value of the caesium
frequency ∆νCs to be 9 192 631 770 when
expressed in the unit Hz, which is equal to s-1.
We are now in the process of developingʻoptical lattice clocksʼ, which will be basedon optical transitions in an ensemble ofneutral atoms trapped in the opticallattices, as part of efforts to achieve
Optical lattice clockmuch lower uncertainty than thepresent definition.

Mass
The SI unit of mass, the kilogram, is defined by
the Planck constant, which is a fundamental
physical constant associated with the mass of
one atom. We have already succeeded indeveloping the technology to accurately
count the atoms in a silicon sphere, which isnecessary to create a mass standard withthe highest level of accuracy in the world.
Laser interferometer to measure the diameter of asilicon sphere with sub-nanometer uncertainty

Thermodynamic temperature
The SI unit of thermodynamic temperature, thekelvin, which was previously defined based on
the triple point of water, has been redefinedby taking the fixed numerical value of the
Boltzmann constant to be 1.380 649 ×
10-23 when expressed in the unit J K-1. We
are now in the process of developing asystem that will make thermodynamic
temperature measurements applicable
Acoustic gas thermometer for thermodynamic
over an extended temperature range.

LengthOptical frequency
comb system

Electric current
The SI unit of electric current, theampere, is defined by taking a fixed
numerical value of the elementarycharge, which is the magnitude of theelectric charge for one electron. We are
now developing quantum current
standards based on this definition using
single-electron pump devices and improving
both the Josephson Voltage Standard and theJosephson array device integrated with
Quantized Hall Resistance Standard.

The SI unit of luminous intensity, the candela, isdefined by taking the fixed numerical value ofthe luminous efficacy of monochromaticradiation of frequency 540 × 1012 Hz, cd, tobe 683 when expressed in the unit lm W-1.
The luminous efficacy represents the
response to light by human vision.
Luminous intensity is a quantity that
describes light intensity emitted to a
Instruments to be used to realize luminous intensity scalespecific direction, and its scale is(electrical-substitution cryogenic radiometer, Si trap
traceable to the electrical-substitution
detector, and luminous intensity standard lamp)
cryogenic radiometer.

Dosimetry Standards for Supporting
Radiation Therapy

Certified reference materials for use in
doping analysis (2 types)

Radiation is widely used in the medical andindustrial sectors. We are actively developing
radiation measurement techniques andradiation therapy standards for safety andassurance.

Hydrogen Refuelling
Dispenser Metering
Accuracy

Thermophysical
Properties Evaluation ofRefrigerants by Speed ofSound and Relative
Permittivity Measurements

We are developing an inspection techniquefor metering accuracy using the master meter
traceable to gas flow rate national standard in order
The speed of sound and the relative permittivity of
High-sensitivity terahertz power sensor
to implement a suitable measurement standard fora novel refrigerant with low global warming potential
transactions at hydrogen refuelling stations.
are simultaneously measured to evaluate its performancein the thermodynamic cycle.

Smart Calibration Techniques for
Organic Analytes

Single-electron Control Technology

Laser resonance ionization mass
spectrometer

We are developing innovative calibration techniques for organic analytes such as quantitative
nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) that will
enable the calibration of various analytes
from single primary standards.

Certified Reference
Materials for Use in
Doping Analysis

Certified reference materials have beendeveloped as required for calibration of theMedical linear accelerator (LINAC) andanalytical instruments used in doping analyses.
absorbed dose measurement device
These certified reference materials contribute toaccurate testing in sporting events such as the Olympic
and Paralympic Games.

Single-electron control is a technology that achieves
the ultimate in measurement accuracy. At the NMIJ,
we are working to realize quantum current
standards and small current measurements
through the development of singleelectron pumps and sensors, nuclearspin control, etc.

Mass SpectrometricTechnique with HighSensitivity and Selectivity

Combination of separation and
qNMR techniques

Deflection measurement of bridges

Single-photon-based Spectroscopic
Imaging Technology
We are developing a single-photon-based imaging
sensor comprised of superconducting transitionedge sensors as an ultra-sensitive photon
detector that makes the maximum use of
the quantum nature of light.

Moiré Methodology

We are developing mass spectrometrictechniques for higher sensitivity and increased
accuracy via laser ionization at the resonant
wavelengths of atoms and molecules.

Nuclear-spin-control device anddilution-refrigerator system

We are developing an inexpensive,easy-to-use moiré imaging technique that
can accurately measure displacement distributions by recording the periodic patterns ininfrastructures.

Photodetector module with a single-photon
sensor array for photon spectroscopic
imaging

Contribution to Solving Social Issues, Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness, and Innovation Creation

500 000 junctions and the programmable
Josephson voltage standard

Amount of substance

Resources and Energy

The SI unit of amount of substance,
the mole, is defined by the Avogadro
constant. We are now developing
advanced technologies, such as nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy,that can measure amount of substancequickly and accurately.

temperature measurement

Luminous intensity

The SI unit of length, the metre, isdefined by the speed of light invacuum. The length standards aredeveloped and disseminated based on
the laser frequencies calibrated by an
optical frequency comb with an accuracyof 10-13. The optical frequency comb links
the optical frequencies to the microwave
frequency standard.

We are working on technological developments in the fields
Inspection device for meteringof power measurement, attenuation measurement,
accuracy of hydrogen refuelling dispensers
circuit testing, and material characterizations in the
millimeter and terahertz wavebands ‒ all of which
are expected to have important applications invarious fields such as next-generation
mobile communications.

Environment

Health and Longevity

Food and Culture

Disaster Prevention and Security

Digitalization

H2

Nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR) apparatus● Transition of Units and Standards
1880

1890

1900

1910

1920

1930

Sanction of the international prototypes of the metre and the kilogram (1889)
Japan becomes a member state of the“Metre Convention (Convention du Mètre)” (1885)● History
1940

1950

Revision of the International Temperature Scale (1948)

Definition of thermodynamic temperature by the triple point of water (1954)

1960

1970

1980

International comparison of luminous intensity using
M-shaped luminous intensity standard lamp (1957)

Definition of length by the wavelength of 86Kr (1960)

Development of Weston voltage standard cell (1892)

Adoption of the Josephson effect voltage standard (1977)
Definition of luminous intensity by monochromatic radiation (1979)

Development of standard platinum resistance thermometer (1971)

Definition of time by using caesium atomic clock (1967)

Promulgation of the Electrical Measurement Act (1910)

Enforcement of the Measurement Act (1952)

2000

2010

Specification of the optical frequency comb asJapanese national standard of length (2009)

Definition of length by the speed of light (1983)

Adoption of “The International System of Units” (1960)

Promulgation of the Weights and Measures Act (1891)

1990

Japan becomes a member state of the OIML (1961)

Shift to the quantum Hall effect resistance standard (1990)

2020

Enforcement of the redefinitionof the SI base units (2019)(kilogram, ampere, kelvin, and mole)

Determination of high accuracy measurement of the Avogadro constant (2004)

Revision of the conventional value of the Josephson constant (1990)
Revision of the International Temperature Scale (ITS-90) (1990)

1880 1890 1900

1910

1920

1930

1940

Electrotechnical Laboratory
Central Inspection Instituteof Measuring Instrument

Central Inspection Institute of
Weights and Measures

Government Industrial
Research Institute1950

Central Inspection Institute of
Weights and Measures

Silk Laboratory

1970

Textile Research Institute
Industrial Arts Institute

1980

1990

2000

Electrotechnical Laboratory

National Chemical
Laboratory for Industry

Research Institute for Polymers and Textiles
Industrial Products Research Institute2010

Independent Administrative Agency
National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology

National Research Laboratory of Metrology

Weights and Measures Training Institute

The Government Chemical Industrial Research Institute, Tokyo
Industrial Art Institute

Development of high temperature fixed points of the metal-carbon eutectics (1998)

1960

National Instituteof Materials andChemical Research

National Metrology
Institute of Japan

2020

National Research andDevelopment Agency
National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology

National Metrology
Institute of Japan

Derived quantities
The NMIJ is maintaining and disseminating themeasurement standards for derived quantities,
such as flow rate (m3/h), torque (N･m), density(kg/m 3 ), pressure (Pa), electric field strength(V/m), absorbed dose (Gy), and so on, which areessential for daily life and use in industries.

Water flow calibration facility

10 N·m deadweight type torque standard machine

The national prototype of the metre of JapanThe national prototype of thekilogram of Japan

Weston voltage
standard sell

Water
triple-point cellM-shaped luminous
intensity standard lamp

Krypton lamp

Josephson voltage standard device

Iodine stabilized He-Ne laser

High-temperature fixed points of themetal-carbon eutectics

Optical frequency comb

1 kg silicon single-crystal sphere to
determine the Avogadro constantOverall view of AIST Tsukuba Central

AIST Tsukuba Central 3-1 Building

AIST Tsukuba Central 3-9 BuildingResearch Planning Oﬃce
of NMIJ【Director General】

USUDA Takashi【Deputy Director General】

KOBATA Tokihiko

The Research Planning Office (RPO) decides on
research policies and strategies, and then creates
research projects and their budgets. The RPO also serves
as a liaison with other AIST research departments, theMinistry of Economy, Tade and Industry (METI),
other national research anddevelopment agencies,
universities, and other relatedorganizations.

【Director, Research Planning Oﬃce】

AKOSHIMA Megumi

Collaboration Promotion Oﬃce
of NMIJ
The Collaboration Promotion Office (CPO) plans andpromotes collaboration with external organizations suchas companies, regarding research activities of the NMIJ.
The CPO also promotes and supports technology
transfers to companies, as well as conducts researchand development activities
on a Cooperative ResearchLaboratory.

【Director, Collaboration Promotion Oﬃce】

SHITOMI Hiroshi

HOSAKA Kazumoto

2023, Oct.

【Director】

TAKETOSHI Naoyuki

Reference Material Evaluation Group

2023, Oct.

Traffic Guide
Tsukuba Express

Tsukuba

45 minBus

10 minsu

doBusshitsu Zairyo Kenkyukiko(NIMS)
5 min
Walk

Ka

nt

o

Te
t

Namiki1-Chome20 minIbaraki
AirportAIST
Sansouken
Tsukuba
Tsukuba
Higashi 3 min East

Doho Park

Walk

AIST
Tsukuba
West

1 min
Walk

AIST
NamikiTsukuba
2-ChomeCentral 10 min

Kisho
Kenkyusho

Walk

NamikiOhashiKankyo Kenkyusho (NIES)

Akihabara

20 min

JR Yamanote Line

5 min
Walk

3 min

JR Joban Line

3 min

Tokyo

Akihabara
Kanda

Tsukuba - Ibaraki Airport Bus
60 min15 minUeno

60 minOkachimachi

UshikuHitachino
Ushiku3 min

Arakawaoki

Joban Highway Bus
65 minTsukuba - Haneda Airport Bus
120 min

HanedaAirportNaritaAirportDetailed access guide is available at,https://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/guidemap/
tsukuba/tsukuba_map.html

Other highway bus route:○Tsukuba ⬅➡ Mito

Tsukuba - Narita Airport Bus
60 minMap of AIST Tsukuba Central
North Gate

Guard
Pond

Sakura-Kan

ast Avenue)

Sansouken Tsukuba Higashi Bus Stop

Odori (E5-2

HigashiCentral 5
Information Desk

Metrology Training Center
Training Building

Pond

Shuttle Bus Stop

Central 3
Information Desk
3-1

Namiki 2-Chome Bus Stop
Central 2
Information Desk

3-6

Guard

Front Gate

3-1B
3-3B

Guard

3-2

3-4B
3-4A
3-3A

3-7

South Gate

2-2B 2-10

3-8
3-9

3-5
3-10

Inquires to:〈2023, May.〉

Namiki 2-Chome Bus Stop

2-2A

2-3A
2-3B

2-3C
2-4A

2-5

NMIJ Public Relations Office, Center for Quality Management of Metrology,
National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ),
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
AIST Tsukuba Central 3, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8563, Japan
TEL +81-29-861-4346 FAX +81-29-861-4099
URL: https://unit.aist.go.jp/nmij/english/info/inquiry/

National Metrology Institute of Japan