Japanese Clock & Watch Industry

1945	The Second World War annihilated domestic watch and clock manufacturing factories. And their facilities were subject to governmental rehabilitation action.
1946	Watches and clocks were specified as a product item covered by the Law for Controlling Major Export Products. Industries and academies unanimously established the Committee on Horological Science and Technology.
1947	Export of Japan-made watches and clocks started.
1948	A 5-year Reconstruction Plan for Horological Industry was announced. The Japan Clock & Watch Association and the Horological Institute of Japan were founded. The first Trade Show of the Japan-Made Watch and Clock was held.
1949	Mr. Clifford (UK) invented a magnetic escapement. Mr. Lians (USA) finalized an atomic clock or a molecular clock. The All Japan Watch & Clock Retail Association was founded. The Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) on watches and clocks for export was issued. The first Council for Quality Inspection of the Japan-made Watch and Clock was held.
1950	Appeals to mitigate the regulations of raw materials for use in watches and clocks and to promote the import of watches and clocks were launched. The second Council for Quality Inspection of the Japan-made Watch and Clock was held.
1951	The Japan Distributor's Association was founded. The Federal Law concerning Swiss Watch Industry was enacted in Switzerland. The commodity tax exemption rate was raised. The Weights and Measurement Law was enforced. The Standardization Council on the Production Technology of the Wall Clock was organized.
1952	Import of foreign-made watches was officially approved. A battery-powered watch was developed in the USA and France. The watch & clock industry joined a commodity tax abolition alliance. A demand was boosted to remove a ban to export watches and clocks to the People's Republic of China (P. R. C.).
1953	An appeal was launched to reduce the commodity tax (the commodity tax ratio was reduced). An appeal was launched to restrict the import of low-end watches and clocks.
1954	A demand was boosted to control smuggled watches and clocks. Kyoto University fabricated Japan's first atomic timekeeping instrument. The Japan Watch & Clock Inspection Institute was founded.
1955	The Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation started a dial up telephone time service. The Japan Importers' Association was founded. MITI organized a Subcommittee of Watch & Clock in the Export Conference.
1956	Japan's first automatic winding watches were put on the market. Japan's first shock-resistant watches were put on the market. The Institute for the Development of Horological Production Technology was founded. The catch phrase invitation campaign was implemented throughout Japan on the National Time Day.
1957	A cooperative watch and clock advertising campaign was deployed nationwide. The Temporary Measures Law for the Promotion of Machine Industry applied to clocks.
1958	The Watch and Clock Exhibition, including imports, was held. Major watch and clock manufacturing plants in Japan adopted a belt conveyor assembly system.
1959	The commodity tax exemption rate was raised (a new fixed retail taxation method was adopted).
1960	Japan's first atomic clocks were produced. Tuning fork watches were launched in the USA market. Import of watch and clock manufacturing machines was approved. Industrial organizations and associations discussed measures for preventing clearance sales.
1961	The import tariff rate was revised. Import of some watches and clocks was liberalized.
1962	The JCWA prepared a report to MITI to forecast Market Demand. The Swiss Watch Industry started inspections of watches to be exported, subject to the Swiss Federal Laws. The commodity tax was reduced from 50 % to 40 %
1963	Japan-made radio-controlled clocks were put on the market. An appeal was filed to MITI to reduce the US tariff. Watches and clocks were exhibited in the Exhibition for World Respected Products sponsored by the Council for Development of the Japan-made Products.
1964	Several watch and clock manufacturers were awarded based on the Award Program for Export Promoted Companies. The first Japanese Official Olympic Timing System was adopted in Japan at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The Light Machinery Center was founded.
1965	The Horological Market Research Delegates were organized and dispatched to South-East Asia and East Africa. The Japanese horological industry was admitted to a membership of the ISO/TC114 (Technical Committee for Horology).
1966	THE JCWA assisted the National Examination Program for Superior Skills. An appeal was filed to remove the allocation system on duty exemptions of watches in the Virgin Islands (USA).
1967	The Horological Market Research Delegates were organized and dispatched to the USA. A staff member was dispatched to the Light Machinery Center of Germany to gather trade & industry information of watches and clocks. The world's first Japan-made quartz home clocks were put on the market.
1968	The Japan Chronometer Inspection Institute was founded. The JCWA sponsored the International Vocational Training Competition dubbed the Olympics for Technology.
1969	The annual production of watches and clocks exceeded 40 million pieces in Japan. The world's first Japan-made quartz analog watches were put on the market. Delegates of the Federation of the Swiss watch Industry (FH) visited Japan and the JCWA.
1970	An appeal was filed with MITI to approve the export of watch and clock parts at free of exchange. The JCWA sponsored the Olympics for Technology held in Japan.
1971	The JCWA had a friendly talk with directors of FH and the German Watch and Clock Federation. A rule on how to indicate a standard retail price and a partial payment price on the product was discussed with MITI.
1972	Japanese watch manufactures voluntarily restricted the export of watches. The leap seconds were introduced.
1973	Commodity tax exemption rate was raised. The world's first Japan-made 6-digit LC display quartz digital watches were put on the market. The JCWA determined the disposal rules of used watch batteries together with MITI.
1974	Administrative guidance of the restrictions on an appreciation in price was given by MITI. The JCWA discussed the issue of a misleading origin marking with the Swiss Watch Industry.
1975	The Japanese Horological manufacturers(watches,clocks & parts) were designated as the Industry for Employment Adjustment Subsidy. The JCWA objected to the current preferential tariff and a proposal of an appreciation in the quartz watch tariff given by the USA.
1976	The world's first Japan-made solar cell powered quartz analog watches were put on the market. A Voluntary Guideline for Packaging (Regulation for Excess Packaging) was formulated. The JCWA reviewed the Tokyo and Kobe regional bylaws on the Regulation for Descriptions in Product Warranty.
1977	A council for discussing the electric appliances safety guide was established in concert with industries concerned. The Research Committee for Development of Hi-Technology was organized.
1978	The JCWA objected to the revised tariff proposed by the USA. The JCWA announced a plan for the voluntary watch and clock marking guideline.
1979	Japanese and Swiss watchmakers individually developed a quartz watch of less than 2 mm in total thickness. The JIS Committee revised the horological terminology. Domestic watch and clock production volume ranked top in the world. The exhibition titled "History of the Japanese Horological Industry" was held.
1980	Japan-made watches were apt to be bipolarized to low-end and middle to high-end. The JIS Committee established a water-resistant watch standard. The ISO/TC 114 International Conference was held in Tokyo. The Committee for Harmonized Distribution of Watches and Clocks was organized.
1981	A demand for removing a price tag from watches & clocks was boosted (due to the diversified distribution channels). France restricted the import of Hong Kong-made watches. Domestic watch and clock production volume broke the 100 million pcs. The Committee for Harmonized Distribution of Watches and Clocks published an interim report.
1982	The first Hong Kong Watches and Clocks Fair was held. A lineup of Swiss-made "Swatch" was announced in Japan. The Committee for Harmonized Distribution of Watches and Clocks published a final report (an open pricing system was implemented). The JCWA was authorized as an incorporated association by MITI. The ISO/TC 114 International Conference was held in Tokyo.
1983	Two Swiss watch conglomerates ASUAG and SSIH merged into one. EC countries cautioned Japan against the export of Japan-made quartz watches (MITI directed domestic watchmakers to restrict the export of Japan-made quartz watches to the EC). The import duties in Japan on watches and clocks were completely eliminated.
1984	Restructuring of nationwide distributors started. French exercised the action for restricting the import of digital watches to the EC block. The JCWA issued a marking guideline for watches & clocks. MITI announced the Vision for the Japanese Horological Industry.
1985	Domestic watchmakers established a mutual, cooperative watch parts supply system. "Swatch" was launched in Japan.
1986	Domestic watchmakers made their debut at the Basle Fair.
1987	Horology collaboration VAN (Time Network) started. A distribution improvement subcommittee was organized to cope with distribution problems.
1988	Consumers' preference returned to analog display ; Analog Renaissance. The world's first Japan-made automatic winding quartz watches were put on the market.
1989	The change in the taxation system (the abolition of a commodity tax and the introduction of a consumption tax) caused an increase of paralleled imports. The modified watch marking rule was implemented in a manner consistent with the revision of the US Tariff Schedule.
1990	Import of high-end Swiss-made watches was increased due to the abolition of the commodity tax law. The JCWA issued a counter-statement against the revision of the watch origin marking rule stipulated by Hong Kong. The JCWA prepared the "Vision for the Japanese Horological Industry 1990". The JCWA issued a report on "Research of the Horological Distribution System and Structure".
1991	Hong Kong revised the watch origin marking rule. The Japan Watch & Clock Inspection Institute was dissolved.
1992	The 9th Asian Horological Trade and Industry Promotion Conference (held every other year) took place in Tokyo. The Technical Committee on Harmonized Rules of Origin,was organized in JMC(Japan Machinery Center for Trade and Investment), an advisory body of MITI.
1993	Radio-controlled watches were put on the market. The "Explanation and Q&A of Product Liability Law and its Q&A" was published.
1994	The JCWA member companies accomplished the total abolition of ozone layer destructive substances prior to legislation. The JCWA approached to exclude watches and clocks from the application of the EU Directives on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). The Japanese horological manufacturers(watches, clocks & parts) were specified as the Industry for Selected Employment Adjustment. The JCWA prepared the "Vision for the Japanese Horological Industry 1994."
1995	The demand for environmentally-friendly battery-free watches became stronger. Domestic watchmakers accelerated to shift production plants overseas. The JCWA presented clocks to the self-governing body in the area hit by the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. The JCWA distributed PR brochures during the Basel Fair(annual activity).
1996	The Japanese Horological Industry was specified as the Industry for Selected Employment Adjustment. The JCWA discussed a pending issue of the watch origin marking rule with the delegations of the Swiss Watch Industry and the Hong Kong Watch industry. The JCWA prepared a report on Study of Asian Watches and Clocks Industry.
1997	Popularity of digital watches swelled again. The ISO/TC114 International Conference was held in Tokyo.
1998	Import duties on metallic watchbands were eliminated. A written request for the U.S.-Japan Enhanced Initiative on the Deregulation and Competition Policy was submitted to MITI. The JCWA celebrated the 50th anniversary. The JCWA participated in the 12th Asian Horological Trade and Industry Promotion Conference in Malaysia.
1999	The JCWA participated in the ISO/TC 114 International Meeting held at Bangalore in India. The JCWA opened its Web site. The JCWA joined the First International Basel Conference of Horological Industry (hererafter to join every year). Standard radio-wave transmission officially started and radio-controlled watches & clocks became popular. FTC (USA) Guides for the Watch Industry were abolished.
2000	The JCWA participated in the 13th Asian Horological Trade and Industry Promotion Conference in Hong Kong. EU Directive restricting the use of Nickel was implemented. The number of items to which the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law applies was increased in Japan. The Japanese watch and clock manufacturers are taking stronger measures to eliminate the counterfeit watches & clocks sold in the East Asia.
2001	The JCWA participated in the ISO/TC 114 International Meeting held at Zhuhai in China. The JCWA dispatched Study Mission Members to The China International Watch Jewelry Fair at Shenzhen. The second standard radio-wave transmission station was established in Kyushu ,which made radio-controlled watches & clocks more popular. Sponsored by Communications Research Laboratory, the Standard Radio-Wave Symposium was held in Tokyo. The JCWA started promotion activities for improvements in recycling used button-type batteries for watches.
2002	The Japan China Horological Association's Interchange was founded and the first executive meeting was held in Beijing, China. International Intellectual Property Protection Forum (IIPPF) was founded and the JCWA joined as one of the foundation members. The First Intellectual Property rights meeting between the JCWA and Horologe Association of P.R.China was held in Beijing, China. The JCWA participated in the 14th Asian Horological Trade and Industry Promotion Conference in Seoul, Korea. The first technical meeting for standardization of watches and clocks between the JCWA and Horologe Association of P.R.China was held in Beijing, China.
2003	The 2nd executive meeting of the Japan China Horological Association's Interchange was held in Tokyo, Japan. The JCWA attended the meeting for the ISO technical committee-horology(ISO/TC114), which was held in Neuchatel, Switzerland. The 2nd Intellectual Property rights meeting between the JCWA and Horologe Association of P.R.China was held in Beijing, China.
2004	The 3rd executive meeting of the Japan China Horological Association's Interchange was held in Xian, P.R. China. The 3rd Intellectual Property rights meeting between the JCWA and Horologe Association of P.R.China was held in Shanghai, P.R. China. The JCWA participated in the 15th Asian Horological Trade and Industry Promotion Conference in Singapore. The 2nd technical meeting for standardization of watches and clocks between the JCWA and Horologe Association of P.R.China was held in Xian, P.R. China. The JCWA donated clocks to the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake Victims through the Niigata Prefecture Emergency Taskforce Headquarters.
2005	The 4th executive meeting of the Japan China Horological Association's Interchange was held in Tokyo, Japan. The JCWA attended the meeting for the ISO technical committee-horology(ISO/TC114), which was held in Seoul, Korea According to EU Directive on WEEE, member countries started to legislate against waste electrical and electronic equipments. Eco-Mark Certification Criteria was newly set up for watches and clocks.
2006	The 4th Intellectual Property Rights meeting between the JCWA and China Horologe Association was held in Shenzhen, P.R. China. The 3rd technical meeting for standardization of watches and clocks between the JCWA and China Horologe Association was held in Xian, P.R. China. According to EU Directive on RoHS(Restriction of the use of Hazardous Sabstances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment), the relative law was enforced in member countries(July). The JCWA attended the WG meeting for the ISO technical committee-horology(ISO/TC114), which was held in Bienne, Switzerland. The JCWA hosted the 16th Asian Horological Trade & Industry Promotion Conference.
2007	The 5th executive meeting of the Japan China Horological Association's Interchange was held in Hainan Island, China. The JCWA attended the meeting for the ISO technical committee-horology(ISO/TC114), which was held in Dinard, France. The 5th Intellectual Property Rights meeting between the JCWA and China Horologe Association was held in Shanghai, China.
2008	The JCWA celebrated its 60th anniversary. The JCWA participated in the 17th Asian Horological Trade and Industry Promotion Conference at Chongqing in China. All the JCWA member companies have achieved total abolition of CHC(Chlorofluorocarbon) and Chlorinated Organic Solvent, in Japan. The global financial crisis started in September and the following business recession forced the JCWA members into adjustment of production.
2009	The JCWA attended the meeting for the ISO technical committee-horology(ISO/TC114), which was held at Shenzhen, China in July. The 6th Intellectual Property Rights meeting between the JCWA and China Horologe Association was held at Guangzhou, China in July.
2010	The 6th executive meeting of the Japan China Horological Association's Interchange was held in Tokyo, Japan. The JCWA participated in the 18th Asian Horological Trade and Industry Promotion Conference at Taichung, Taiwan.
2011	The huge earthquake and tsunamis occurred on March 11. Many companies among JCWA member companies have suffered damage. The JCWA attended the meeting for the ISO technical committee-horology(ISO/TC114), which was held at Berlin, Germany in May. The 7th Intellectual Property Rights meeting between the JCWA and China Horologe Association was held at Shenzhen, China in July.