History
| 1955 | General meeting for founding the "Machine Tool Importers' Association of Japan" was held on April 20, 1955 in Osaka. Mr. Keizo Yamamoto, President of Yamamoto & Co. (present YKT Corp.) was elected to the chairman. The first Agency List (importers' name with handling items) was published. |
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| 1956 | The association helped member companies to obtain the foreign currency allocation for the import of machine tools from MITI and MOF. They worked to reduce the import duty rate and also tried to expand the category of machines to be classified as tax exempted products. |
| 1957 | The association was assigned by MITI to report them the execution results of import of machine tools as approved in the license. Information received from the Government was passed to member companies. |
| 1960 | Mr. Yamamoto received an honorable yellow ribbon medal from the Government for his contribution to the import of machine tools. |
| 1962 | We have participated and reached the first JIMTOF (Osaka Asashiobashi) with associated many groups (ten groups). Afterward We have supported every time JIMTOF of biennial holding at the present. |
| 1962 | The first JIMTOF was held in Osaka with 10 other supporting associations, including JMTBA, JFM etc. Mr. MosaburoYmada, President of Yamatake & Co. was elected to the chairman of the Association replacing Mr. Yamamoto.The import system for machine tool was transferred from I/L (foreign currency allocation system) to I/Q (import quota system). |
| 1963 | The office of the association was moved from Shiba to the present location of Toranomon. |
| 1965 | 10th anniversary was celebrated at the Imperial hotel. General catalog of imported machine tool was published as commemorative business. |
| 1966 | We changed the name of association to the "Machine Tool Traders' Association of Japan" as some member companies were involved in the export business. End user's list was published, indicating who received the import quota from the Government. |
| 1970 | 15th Anniversary was celebrated at the cherry room of Imperial Hotel. |
| 1971 | The service charge guideline was set up for maintenance work of imported machine tools. Import system for the machine tools changed from import quota to automatic approval. The association was assigned to report the import record to MITI. |
| 1973 | New chairman of Mr. Manabu Yamamoto, President of Yamamoto & Co. was elected, succeeding Mr. Mosaburo Yamada. |
| 1979 | The first imported machine tool show was held at MIPRO, Ikebukuro. Afterwards, the exhibition was held biennially till 1989. |
| 1979 | The name of association changed from "Machine Tool Traders' association of Japan" to the present name of "Japan Machine Tool Importers' Association" (JMTIA). Mr. Zenjiro Asama, President of Yachiyoda Sangyo Co., was elected to the chairman of JMTIA replacing Mr. Manabu Yamamoto. |
| 1982 | The trade friction between USA and Japan became serious political issue. The machine tool was pointed out as one of the target products to be imported. JMTIA dispatched the first import promotion mission to IMTS (Chicago), to improve the situation. |
| 1983 | We held the third imported machine tool show, remembering duty free import for machine tool officially started. |
| 1983 | To relieve the trade friction between EC and Japan, JMTIA sent the first import promotion mission to EMO. |
| 1985 | JMTIA celebrated 30th anniversary at the site of imported machine tool show in MIPRO. |
| 1987 | JMTIA dispatched the mission to China to inspect the machine tool industry. |
| 1989 | Mr. Zenjiro Asama, chairman of JMTIA received an honorable yellow ribbon medal from the Government for his contribution to import of machine tool. |
| 1990 | The new tax incentive plan for the imports of manufactured goods was introduced. The meeting for "Buy American machine tools" was held in IMTS Chicago, under the joint sponsorship by JMTIA and JETRO, based on "Japan-U.S. cooperation plan". |
| 1991 | Mr. Kazuo Harada, President of Yamamoto & Co. succeeded the position of chairman of JMTIA from Mr. Zenjiro Asama. |
| 1992 | JMTIA gave the consultation service at their booth in IMTS, Chicago for U.S. visitors on how to promote export business to Japan. |
| 1994 | JMTIA held a seminar for HSK tooling. |
| 1996 | Mr. Kazuo Harada received an honorable yellow ribbon medal from the Government for his contribution to the promotion of machine tool import. In addition to Tokyo Big Sight, JMTBA became the co-organizer of JIMTOF. |
| 1999 | JMTIA opened the homepage, introducing their activities for the promotion of machine tool import. |
| 2001 | JMTIA introduced new supporting member system and changed the name of former supporting member to an honorary member. |
| 2003 | Mr. Michiharu Chikano, President of Gleason Asia Co.,Ltd. was elected to the chairman of JMTIA, succeeding Mr. Kazuo Harada of YKT Corp. |
| 2005 | JMTIA celebrated 50th Anniversary at Daiichi Hotel Tokyo on June 3. Following the welcome speech, titled "Imported Machine Tool and Japan" by Dr. Shigeru Ueno, Technical Research Institute, 220 guests and members enjoyed the party with attraction. |
| 2005 | JMTIA organized the 1st Imported Machine Tools & Peripheral Ptoducts Show(IMTP2005) at PiO(Plaza Industry Ota), Ota City, Tokyo. |
| 2007 | JMTIA organized the 2nd Imported Machine Tools & Peripheral Ptoducts Show(IMTP2007) at PiO(Plaza Industry Ota), Ota City, Tokyo. |
| 2009 | Mr. Yuzo Chiba, President of CKB CORPORATION was elected to the chairman of JMTIA, succeeding Mr. Michiharu Chikano, President of Gleason Asia Co.,Ltd. |
| 2015 | Mr. Takao Nakagawa, President of CKB CORPORATION was elected to the chairman of JMTIA, succeeding Mr. Yuzo Chiba, Executive Adviser of CKB CORPORATION. |