Founded in 1886, the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) has promoted the advancement and development of science, technology and art concerning architecture, with the mutual collaboration of its members. It was originally established as an institute for architects, with 26 founding architects. Mr. Josiah Conder, a British architect invited to teach at the Technical College in Tokyo (present the University of Tokyo) as a Professor of Architecture by the government, was elected as Honorary President of the Institute. The Institute was authorized by the Ministry of Education and changed its name to the Architectural Institute in 1905 and to the Architectural Institute of Japan in 1947. AIJ celebrated its centennial in 1986.

AIJ is an academic association with about 35,000 members. It is not a governmental organization but a non-profit organization for architects, building engineers and researchers in every field of architecture. AIJ publishes results of research and studies and spreads architectural culture through its programs such as exhibitions, symposia and distributes architectural information to the public. The main purpose of the Institute is to cultivate its members’ abilities and to heighten architectural quality in Japan. Front-line researchers, officers of other architectural associations and officials of government and other public offices also are members of AIJ. AIJ liaises with universities and other research institutes. As the sole integrated institute in the field of architecture, AIJ has made an important contribution to the development of science, technology and art. There are many associations for architects, building engineers, general contractors, and building materials and equipment corporations in Japan. Among these associations, AIJ has been the most prestigious academic association.

AIJ organizes nationwide activities for its members. AIJ has nine chapters by dividing Japan into the following nine regions — Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai, Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu — for activities to meet the detailed needs of each chapter. AIJ owns its head office building equipped with a library, a hall and conference rooms for members at the center of Tokyo.

AIJ has conducted cross-sectional front-line research and studies covering broad areas of the field of architecture and building engineering because of its consisting of researchers of every sector and reflecting their whole range of expertise. This is one of the strong points of AIJ and also shows our policy. In other words, AIJ aims to study architecture synthesizing the knowledge of broad areas of the field of architecture and building engineering such as building structures and materials, architectural planning and design, environmental engineering, and architectural history and theory. AIJ recognizes that global and local issues of our environment and sustainable development require a holistic approach. Thus AIJ aims to conduct holistic, integral and collaborative research learning from experience and emphasizing architecture, which balances design and technology, and natural environment and city design and planning as a sole integrated institute in the field of architecture.

A reconnaissance team consisting of specialists of various fields is organized when damage investigation is needed in the case of disasters, and the results are also generally released widely and proposals for disaster mitigation for the future are submitted to the government. High concern has been shown also in the preservation of historical buildings over many years. The Modern Architecture : Inventory of pre-1945 Cultural Properties in Japan was published. If demolition of those buildings becomes a problem, preservation requests have been submitted. Many buildings are saved and there are also buildings later specified as important cultural properties of Japan. AIJ strives for such buildings. AIJ also conducts the following activities for the public:

• Encourage policies and practices that promote environmental responsibility and awareness and the principles of conservation and sustainable development AIJ in June 2000 enacted the "Architectural Charter for a Global Environment."
• Set committees on international exchange as Japan's contact points for international architectural academic exchanges
• Spread Japanese architectural culture to the public
• Distribute outcomes of research and studies and architectural information to the public
• Organize open symposia, seminars and lectures about architecture for citizens in general and set up committees for them