Abstract
End of Cold War, establishment of WTO, European unification and rapid growth of Asian economy are among principal factors in the recent drastic change in economic framework of the world. Japan's involvement in the global economy and megacompetition has prompted widespread discussions on the "global Standard". These circumstances have changed also the conditions in which industrial standards are situated. However, Japan's activities concerning international standardization have not been very positive, though with different achievements by different areas, to cope with the changes, needing a fundamental reform before it is too late. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry has been implementing various policies since it received in November 1997 a proposal on international standardization policy by Japan Industrial Standards Committee. However, the author believes that a clearer target and a clearer plan is necessary for enhancement of internationalization of Japanese standards still lagging European counterparts, and proposes an International Standardization Promotion Plan, including doubling Japan's occupation of the posts of Secretary Country in ISO/IEC (from 42 to about 80) and doubling of proposals for international standards from Japan (30 to about 60).
