The Metrology Planning Office prepares and updates measurement standards development strategies based on Japan's present circumstances and the needs of industry, administrative bodies, and society. To provide necessary standards promptly and appropriately, the Office conducts surveys to analyze needs regarding measurement standards. The Office also serves as an interface between MIJ and others, including calibration laboratories and public users, to ensure that measurement standards are developed and provided properly according to the strategies.

The Metrology Planning Office also considers outreach activities to be a very important part of its responsibility, and therefore plans and hosts seminars, lectures, exhibitions and poster sessions in order to disseminate the latest research outcomes. Another effort by the Office is to provide public users and calibration laboratories with useful information through periodicals, such as the AIST Bulletin of Metrology and the AIST Monograph of Metrology. In addition, the Office proactively promotes metrology education for the industrial, public and other sectors, explaining the necessity and systems concerning measurement standards in Japan. Presently, videos and pamphlets are available about such topics as the traceability of measurement, the uncertainty of measurement, reference materials and legal metrology.

Moreover, the Metrology Planning Office operates the website of the National Metrology Institute of Japan (http://www.nmij.jp/) as the information hub of the Institute, handling all NMIJ's information and activities relevant to metrology.

The Metrology Quality Office is the contact office for the dissemination services of measurement standards developed by MIJ as well as for technical counseling in metrology, and it also provides support for MIJ in developing quality assurance systems for physical standards.
The dissemination services of measurement standards include:

• Verification of specified measuring instruments, inspection of verification standards, and type approval testing
• Calibration with specified standards
• Calibration of measuring instruments for proficiency tests related to accreditation services
• Distribution of R & D products related to measurement standards
• Testing/calibration services and other metrology-related services

The Metrology Quality Office is the contact office that accepts applications and issues certification documents for all the services listed above.

The Reference Materials Office contributes to the dissemination of measurement standards by distributing certified reference materials. It also helps develop quality assurance systems for reference materials, provide support for their operation, and deal with legal procedures about the safety and management of reference materials.

To disseminate measurement standards, quality systems that comply with internationally accepted criteria must be secured in various aspects of an organization, including technology, institutional structure, equipment and operation. Quality systems are indispensable for the international mutual recognition of measurement standards. This mutual recognition assures public users of the standards needed for smooth international transactions.

Therefore, the Metrology Quality Office and the Reference Materials Office provide support for MIJ in developing and operating the necessary quality systems for measurement standards. The Metrology Management Center operates quality systems based on ISO/IEC 17025, which stipulates requirements that testing/calibration laboratories must fulfill, and based on ISO Guide 34, which regulates laboratories that produce reference materials. These quality systems also undergo certification by third parties under the ASNITE-NMI program, further promoting the reliability of the Center's measurement-standard supply services.

The Metrology Training Center provides a place and opportunity for users to acquire knowledge about and new technologies for measurement. The Center uses part of the Sakura-kan Building, which is located in the "Woods of AIST," at one corner of AIST Tsukuba Center.

The Metrology Training Center's primary aim is to improve the technical abilities of public workers engaged in metrology-related administration in prefectures and designated municipalities, and also to provide training for prospective general certified measurers and environmental certified measurers.
Under the Measurement Law in Japan, the Metrology Training Center provides various training courses on metrology and other subjects necessary to carry out metrological services, such as the Measurement Law, measurement standards, domestic/overseas legal metrology systems, accreditation systems for testing laboratories, and the development and evaluation of quality systems. Target populations for such courses are those engaged in legal metrology services in the public sector, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), various organizations of prefectures and local municipalities, and designated laboratories for testing, inspection, verification and calibration, as well as those in the private sector who aim to be certified measurement experts.

The Metrology Training Center also offers different kinds of training courses in cooperation with other organizations. One such example is training courses for registered quality system inspectors and technical experts under the Japan Calibration Service System promoted by NMIJ. It also organizes training for overseas technical experts who are involved in international cooperation.

Training courses for measurement experts vary in content, from the fundamentals to applications. They are designed to provide as many practice sessions as possible. Some deal with specific aspects of metrology, while some are designed especially for those in managing positions.

Periodic inspections of measuring instruments performed by prefectures as well as the promotion of appropriate measurement management are necessary to guarantee reliable measurement. The Measurement Law stipulates the establishment of the qualification of certified measurers to carry out those responsibilities and also states that measurers are to be certified when meeting the specified qualifications.

Certified measurers are divided into three categories -certified general measurers and two types of certified environmental measurers (concentration or noise/vibration).

• There Are Two Ways to Become a Certified Measure:

1. Taking the national examination to become a certified measurer
   Those who choose to become a certified measurer in this way must first take and pass the national examination, and also satisfy certain requirements, such as the required length of work experience in the field.
   
   • The national examination for certified measurers is held once every year.
   • In the case of environmental measurers, even if certain requirements remain to be met after passing the national examination, the certification will still be granted only after the completion of a required environmental measurement course (concentration measurement or noise/vibration measurement) provided by Metrology Training Center.
2. Completing training courses at the Metrology Training Center
   Another way to become a certified measurer is to complete the required training course at the Metrology Training Center (an approximately five-month-long course) and to be accredited by the Measurement Administration Council. Those who choose this option still need to meet other requirements, such as work experience. The accreditation will be given after a review of application documents to become a certified general measurer, while an interview, in addition to the application review, is required to become a certified environmental measurer.
• The Metrology Training Center offers a course for prospective certified measurers. All trainees first need to take the general measurement training, and then move on to their individual training, such as the general measurement special training (to become certified general measurers) and two types of environmental measurement special training (to become certified environmental measurers, either for concentration measurement or noise/ vibration measurement).
• In order to participate in the general measurement training, applicants must pass the screening test given by the Metrology Training Center. The test consists of general knowledge, physics, and mathematics questions. The level of the test is approximately that of high school graduates.
• Completing the general measurement training is a prerequisite for moving on to more advanced training, such as the general measurement special training and the environmental measurement special training.

Accurate measurements of length, mass, time, temperature and other quantities are essential for protecting our health and safety, developing high-precision industrial products and advancing science and technology. For this reason, every country develops its own measurement standards (national standards) and a system by which the accuracy of measurement results can be confirmed based on those national standards.

However, that is not enough in this age of international trade, highly developed science and technology. Each country must now be able to guarantee consumers and users of measuring instruments that its national measurement standards are equivalent to those used in other countries. To secure the equivalence of national standards among countries, two internationally shared regulations, the Meter Convention and the Mutual Recognition Agreement, play a significant role. The Convention defines the specifications of measurement standards.

On the other hand, the Agreement stipulates that the member countries conduct peer reviews periodically and mutually acknowledge the review results to confirm the international equivalence of the measurement standards of each country.

Regulations for measuring instruments are another area that needs internationally shared agreements. Many countries set such regulations and define specific requirements for measuring instruments that are used to guarantee fair trade and that are related to public safety and health. International metrological organizations have issued recommendations to ensure that the regulations are consistent among countries.

In order for these activities to be effective, it is crucial for as many countries as possible to participate. Therefore, a wide range of technical assistance is provided to developing counties to promote their participation.

The International Metrology Cooperation Office takes the initiative in Japan's international activities in metrology as follows:

1. The International Metrology Cooperation Office gathers domestic opinions on international issues in metrology and sends representatives to international forums to express Japan's views and promote international cooperation. The Office also reports to domestic stakeholders on international trends in the field.
2. In collaboration with the Metrology Institute of Japan (MIJ), the Office makes full use of MIJ's research results in the establishment of international measurement standards and the preparation of international recommendations.
3. The Office plans and implements technical assistance in metrology for developing countries. Together with the Asia-Pacific countries, the Office promotes research activities in the region and represents the region's views in international activities.
4. The Office collaborates with external agencies to survey international trends in metrology and make proposals regarding metrology based on survey results.