Message from the President

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. Since we joined GS1 (then called EAN) in 1978, as the representative of Japan, we have been encouraging the use of GS1 Standards such as GTIN.

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) barcodes and RFID. Some of these 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 promote Ryutsu BMS, the Internet based standardised EDI between retailers and wholesalers in Japan. As for a product database, we offer GS1 Japan Data Bank (GJDB), which leads to the globally unified use of information related to GTINs and other GS1 standards.

By connecting the real world and the digital world with GS1 standard as a common language of business, we will support the digital transformation (DX) for solving industrial and social issues. Through these activities, GS1 Japan is 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.

MUKAE Yoichi President GS1 Japan