The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, with the mission of contributing to the realization of a sustainable society and to the welfare of humanity through the advancement of science and technology, has contributed to the formation of an affluent society and the well-being of people through the progress of mechanical engineering and related technologies. Science and technology exert significant impacts on the global environment and human society; therefore, those engaged in mechanical engineering and related technologies are always required to conduct themselves ethically as members of society. The Society shall promote ethical conduct among its members and, while constantly considering issues related to organizations and institutions as well as those arising from new science and technology, shall address ethical challenges that are difficult for individual engineers to handle alone. The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers establishes the following code and hereby declares that it shall proactively address ethical issues in the field of mechanical engineering and related technologies.

Social responsibility
Members shall recognize that our profession as engineers is founded on society’s reliance and entrustment on our technical capabilities and conscience and shall place the first priority on the safety, health, and welfare of the public. We shall strive for research and development of the technologies that society finds truly necessary. We shall also be responsible for the quality, reliability, and safety of products, technologies, and intellectual products, as well as for the preservation of the environment.

Self-improvement as engineering professionals
Members shall strive for continuous improvement of their capabilities as engineering professionals as well as at a personal level. We shall use our professional knowledge for the realization of a rich society, and will deal in good faith with the public, employers, partners and clients. In this way, we shall strive to maintain and improve our dignity and social trust.

Fairness in activities
Members shall place importance on fairness in the course of planning, applying, implementing, reporting, and other such processes. We shall ensure stringent management in recording and preserving the research data, and will not commit or participate in injustice such as fabrication, falsification or plagiarism. We shall execute our duties from objective and fair positions that are not influenced by particular authorities, organizations and without conflicts of interest.

Compliance with laws and ordinances
Members shall comply with social norms, laws, ordinances, and relevant regulations in executing their duties.

Observance of contracts and agreements
Members shall observe contracts and agreements with employers and contractual partners and take responsibility for maintaining the confidentiality of information obtained in their duties.

Disclosure of information
Members shall strive to predict and evaluate the effect of plans or projects on humankind, society, and the environment. Where there is a possibility of damage to public safety, health, welfare, or the environment, we shall disclose the information according to our own conscience and beliefs.

Avoidance of conflicts of interest
Members shall avoid conflicts of interest with employers or contractual partners. If there is a possibility of such conflict of interest, we shall disclose all information to them with an emphasis on accountability and fairness.

Assurance of fairness
Members shall not discriminate against individuals because of their race, gender, age, position, institutional affiliation, philosophy, religion, or other such factors. We shall respect human rights, individuality and the freedom of the individual, and treat all people fairly.

Mutual cooperation and respect between professionals
Members shall cooperate with others for the mutual improvement. We shall listen with modesty to criticism relating to our profession, avoid unfair competition, and engage in discussion with an attitude of sincerity. We shall also make fair evaluations of the achievements of others, and refrain from violating intellectual property rights and from obtaining private information by improper means and making improper use of it. When results are produced by multiple people, we shall respect the contributions of all contributors.

Protection of the subject and cooperators
Members shall respect the human rights and individuality of subjects and collaborators in research, and shall give consideration to their safety, their welfare, the protection of private information, and so on. We shall treat animals with consideration for their well-being. We shall treat living creatures also with consideration for the effects on the ecosystem.

Development of the professional environment
Members shall be aware that maintaining and developing a work environment based on fairness that prevents corruption is our important obligation. We shall take an active part in measures to improve the work environment for our own organization or institution as well as for the community of engineers.

Education and public enlightenment
Members shall use their professional knowledge and experience to guide and nurture the engineers and researchers of the future. They shall also make an effort to publicize their intellectual product by means of commentary, lectures, publications, and so on, as a contribution to public enlightenment.

Role of the Society

The Society shall recognize its social responsibility as a professional academic and technological organization and shall promote, encourage, and support ethical conduct. With respect to issues such as organizational and institutional matters and emerging ethical challenges that are difficult for individual engineers to handle alone, the Society shall facilitate deliberation, articulate its positions, and otherwise engage stakeholders within and beyond the Society. The Society shall also foster an environment in which its members can express their views and conduct themselves ethically.

Adopted: December 14, 1999

Revised: December 11, 2007

Revised: January 16, 2013

Revised: February 17, 2026