About the Partner

The Society of Polymer Science, Japan (SPSJ) is a non-profit organization of polymer scientists, engineers and industry managers from academic institutions, industry and governmental institutions. The society's primary aim is to contribute to the development of polymer science for the benefit of people around the world.

Established in 1951, the society has approximately 12,000 members worldwide and is one of the oldest and largest organizations dedicated to advancing polymer research; it celebrates its 58th year in 2009. SPSJ is organized into eight regional chapters from Hokkaido to Kyushu and a special chapter for management professionals in polymer industries in Japan (Kobunshi Doyukai: The Federation of Technological Management in Polymer Industries, Japan).

SPSJ promotes education and the spread of knowledge by sponsoring four major meetings a year: an Annual Meeting in May, a Summer Camp (3-day workshop for researchers and students) in July, a Symposium on Macromolecules in September and the Polymer Materials Forum in November. It also sponsors eight lecture meetings a year that promote discussion on current topics in polymer science, technology and relevant general issues.

SPSJ has 22 research groups across polymer science and technology, covering topics such as polymer gels, polymer surfaces and interfaces, plastic films, biomedical polymers, adhesion and coatings, and super molecules. The research groups run regular study and lecture meetings to allow the active exchange of information and ideas.

Each month SPSJ publishes a newsletter, Kobunshi: High Polymers, Japan, which is delivered to every society member, as well as the journal Kobunshi Ronbunshu: Japanese Journal of Polymer Science and Technology (in Japanese) and Polymer Journal (in English), which is read by polymer scientists worldwide.

Together with the American Chemical Society and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, SPSJ is a founding member of the Pacific Polymer Federation (PPF), which incorporates polymer societies and organizations that are located on the Pacific Rim. PPF holds the Pacific Polymer Conference biennially, in odd-numbered years. SPSJ sends honorary or associate members as representatives to the Macromolecular Division of IUPAC. The society has also organized the International Polymer Conference every two or three years since 1984 with the aim of contributing to international scientific exchange.