The Horological Institute of Japan (HIJ) is an academic society established in 1948 to promote investigation and research on the watch and its applied technologies. People from many fields of study have taken part in HIJ and have supported it throughout its history of more than 60 years.
In 1998, HIJ changed the name of its bulletin from "Journal of the Horological Institute of Japan" to "Micromechatronics," to reflect its growing interest in the further development of micro and wearable information devices. Wearable information devices include such recent mobile information devices as wristwatch-size computers, body information sensors and PHS (personal handyphone system) and GPS terminals. Our society applies micromechatronics technology to various fields from basic research to commercialization, making use of miniaturization and energy-saving technologies that we have become familiar with through watch-manufacturing technology.