The Shipbuilders’ Association of Japan (SAJ) was established as an unincorporated organization in 1947. Subsequently, it has grown both in name and in substance, as shipbuilding companies in Japan gradually became better equipped for the construction of large oceangoing vessels. In August 1951, the association acquired juridical status as an incorporated association under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport (the predecessor of today’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport).

The SAJ’s articles of association prescribe that “the objectives are to foster friendship among the members, promote the common interest of the members to assist in the sound development of shipbuilding and thereby contribute to enhancing the well-being of the related industries and the public welfare.” To achieve these objectives, the association engages in the following activities within the extent permitted by law:

1. Fostering friendship and good communication among the members;
   
   
2. Collecting and putting in order reference materials and information regarding the shipbuilding industry;
   
   
3. Carrying out various surveys and research projects regarding the shipbuilding industry;
   
   
4. Expressing opinions regarding the shipbuilding industry to the government, the National Diet and other quarters concerned, and
   
   
5. Other necessary affairs for the achievement of the objectives of the association.
   
   

As of 1st July 2009, SAJ’s membership consisted of 20 member companies, 1 member association.

List of Members

Takao Motoyama (Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.)

Yoshio Hinou (Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.)

Kazuo Tsukuda (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.)

Kazuaki Kama (IHI Corporation)

Tadaharu Ohashi (Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.)

Sho Minami (Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.)

Yukito Higaki (Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.)

Daisuke Kiuchi

Kimio Kiriake

Takashi Nakabe (Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd.)

Toshiyuki Higaki (Koyo Dockyard Co., Ltd.)

Eiichi Morishima (Sasebo Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.)

Takashi Ueda (Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation)

Hisashi Kadota (Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd.)

Itaru Kurimoto (Shin Kurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.)

Takao Kawamoto (Tsuneishi Holdings Corporation)

Hiroyuki Mori (Naikai Zosen Corporation)

Tatsuhiko Namura (Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.)

Yasuo Oumura (The Hakodate Dock Co., Ltd.)

Shinjirou Mishima (Universal Shipbuilding Corporation)