Message from the President

GS1 Japan was established in 1972 as a specialised institution for the rationalisation and standardisation of distribution systems, and has since worked to promote the introduction of various distribution standards and their application systems. In particular, the GTIN used at POS in stores is being used worldwide as the product identification code of the international standardization organization "GS1," of which our foundation is a member.

GS1 Standards are not only used at the Point of Sale. They are already employed in the areas of online shopping and B2B commerce. And in the healthcare sector, GTIN is now essential identification code for both pharmaceuticals and medical devices. GS1 Standards also offer various types of data carriers such as Linear barcodes, Two-dimensional (2D) symbols and RFID. Especially, 2D symbols such as QR codes, which are becoming increasingly popular, can carry not only GTIN but also other important information including lot number and expiry date, which could be used in various ways to drive supply chain efficiencies.

In addition to these standardisation activities, GS1 Japan promotes Ryutsu BMS, the Internet based standardised EDI, and is developing the GS1 Japan Data Bank (GJDB) that consolidates basic product information.

By connecting the real world and the digital world with GS1 standard as a common language of business, GS1 Japan supports the digital transformation (DX) for solving industrial and social issues. Through these activities, we are determined to contribute not only to the promotion of supply chain visibility and efficiency but also to realization of safety and security of consumers and patients, and of a sustainable society.

We ask for your continued understanding and support for our activities.