Survey of MSJ

History of MSJ

The MSJ was founded in 1877 as Tokyo-Sugaku-Kaisha (Tokyo Mathematics Society) with 55 members. Subsequently, it was expanded to Tokyo-Sugaku-Buturi-Kaisha (Tokyo Mathematical and Physical Society) and later to Physico-Mathematical Society of Japan. It was split in 1946 into two separate societies: "The Mathematical Society of Japan" and "The Physical Society of Japan", and the MSJ as we have today was established at that time. The founders of "Tokyo Mathematics Society" recognized the importance of mathematics as the basis of all sciences, and devoted themselves in introducing European mathematics to Japan. In the ensuing 130 years, research and education of mathematics in Japan have seen dramatic development, and achievements of Japanese mathematical researchers have been receiving high recognition throughout the world. Japanese mathematical environment has produced three Fields medalists and the first Gauss prize winner and it enjoys firmly established reputation internationally.

Kunihiko Kodaira

Heisuke Hironaka

Shigefumi Mori

Kiyoshi Ito

1877	Tokyo Mathematical Society, the predecessor to MSJ, is established.
1884	Tokyo Mathematical Society becomes Tokyo Mathematical and Physical Society.
1907	Tokyo Mathematical and Physical Society celebrates the 200th posthumous anniversary for Takakazu Seki.
1918	Tokyo Mathematical and Physical Society changes its name to Physico-Mathematical Society of Japan.
1946	The math division is separated from Physico-Mathematical Society of Japan and becomes Mathematical Society of Japan.
1952	MSJ acquires corporation status.
1954	Kunihiko Kodaira receives Fields medal.
1955	International Conference on Algebraic Number Theory is held in Japan.
1969	International Conference on Functional Analysis is held in Japan.
1970	Heisuke Hironaka receives Fields medal.
1973	International Conference on Manifold Theory is held in Japan.
1977	100th anniversary of MSJ.
1990	International Conference of Mathematicians ICM90 is held in Kyoto. Shigefumi Mori receives Fields medal.
1996	MSJ celebrates its 50th anniversary (after separation from Physico-Mathematical Society of Japan).
1998	Kiyosi Ito receives Kyoto Prize.
2006	Kiyosi Ito receives the first Gauss prize. Hirotugu Akaike receives Kyoto Prize.
2008	International Conference on History of Mathematics in Memory of Seki Takakazu (1642?-1708) is held in Tokyo.
2010	MSJ celebrates the 50th posthumous anniversary of Teiji Takagi.
2011	MSJ celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rikitaro Fujisawa.
2015	Shigefumi Mori is elected President of International Mathematical Union. MSJ celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kunihiko Kodaira. MSJ celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kiyoshi Ito.
2016	MSJ celebrates its 70th anniversary (after separation from Physico-Mathematical Society of Japan).
2017	MSJ celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tosio Kato.
2018	Masaki Kashiwara receives Chern Medal and Kyoto Prize.