The Tokyo Geographical Society (TGS) founded in 1879 is a long-established Japanese academic society. In 2022, its membership totaled approximately 700 professionals, comprising scientists, teachers, and engineers, active in fields including geology, mineralogy, geography, geophysics, and geochemistry. The founding concept of the Society is to contribute to the advancement of the geosciences over a wide range of related fields encompassing the natural and social sciences, humanities, and engineering, and to promote the public dissemination of research results in the geosciences.

Although we have no regular meetings for presenting research papers as usual academic societies, we have continued to carry out a wide range of activities enhancing public interests in geoscience since 1879 as below:
1. Enhancing public awareness on geosciences
  1) Scientific lectures, excursion and geotours
  2) Collecting books and literature related to geosciences and compiling the history of geosciences
  3) Introduction of geo-experts among the society members to the public as lecturers, committee members, geotour guides, etc.
  4) Cooperation and contact with related academic societies
  5) Publicity activities through website
 
2. Publishing and distribution of geoscience journals and publications
  1) Official journal: Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi)
  2) Distribution and selling publications of the society
3. Grant and award programs for researches and outreach activities
  1) Grants for geoscience researches, international geoscience meetings, and outreach activities and publications
  2) Awards for individuals and groups within Japan and abroad, who are significantly contributing to the development and dissemination of geoscience. Soon after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, four diplomatic and cultural envoys—statesmen and scholars Hiromoto Watanabe (1848–1901), Takeaki Enomoto (1836–1908), Naohiro Nabeshima (1846–1921), and Moriyoshi Nagaoka (1842–1906)—were dispatched on missions to countries in West Europe and Russia. They all came to realize the important roles the geosciences played in the development of these advanced nations. Having joined Royal Geographical Societies in Vienna, London, and St. Petersburg during their stays in Europe, and they felt there was a strong need to establish a similar society in Japan. Upon returning to Japan, they founded the Tokyo Geographical Society on April 18, 1879. Modeled after the Geographical Society of London (the Royal Geographical Society), its purpose was to contribute to the modernization of Japan. Imperial Prince Yoshihisa Kitashirakawa (1847–1895) accepted an invitation to be the first president.
Initially, members consisted of members of the imperial families, aristocrats, politicians, diplomats, and military officers. Later, geoscience experts became leading members of the society, reflecting a gradual increase in the number of geoscientists in Japan. Since the 1970s, geoscientists have served as presidents of the society.

Poster on “Foundation of the Tokyo Geographical Society” is displayed in the Exhibition Hall (Booth A51). The publication of the Society at the time of its founding, the Report of the Tokyo Geographical Society, was succeeded by the Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi), which was first issued in 1889. Six issues a year volume since 2013, the latest issues, including papers in press, and editorial and submission guides, can be accessed at the journal website of TGS. All issues and papers since 1889 are archived on J-STAGE. The number of papers downloaded each month in recent years has exceeded tens of thousands, indicating the high degree of recognition our official journal enjoys in the geoscience community.

  Open Scientific Lectures are held regularly in spring and autumn, together with special lectures when appropriate. Geo-experts give easy-to-understand explanations on topics of broad interest to the general public, such as natural hazards, climate change, and natural resources, as well as interdisciplinary issues.

The Geoscience Club is a bi/tri-monthly lecture event designed to promote the geosciences, as well as to serve a social function for members and guests. Geoscientists engaged in first-rate research are invited to present state-of-the-art research results in a relaxed, salon-like atmosphere at the auditorium of the Chigaku Kaikan (TGS-owned building in central Tokyo). This series of lecture events has been held since 1961.

Announcements, abstracts, reports, and materials related to the lectures are available on our website and in Journal of Geography to provide records of our activities.

We will plan to hold them periodically again, so please feel free to attend. The Society conducts geo-tours and field trips once or twice a year in Japan and overseas for the Society members and the general public.

Information and reports on geotours and field trips are posted on our website and in the Journal of Geography. We established the following grant system for members and those introduced by our members.
1) Grants for geoscience surveys and research (including educational methods and dissemination research) for up to 10 projects a year, a maximum of ¥500,000 per project
2) Grants for holding international research geoscience meetings in Japan, for one to three projects a year, up to ¥1,000,000 per project
3) Grants for publication activities to promote an understanding of various geoscience phenomena in general and to raise awareness of the geosciences in areas related to geoparks and natural heritage sites in Japan, for one to two projects a year, a maximum of ¥1,000,000 per project The Society honors individuals and groups both in Japan and overseas who contribute significantly to the development and dissemination of the geosciences with two awards: the Medal of the Tokyo Geographical Society and the Distinguished Service Award for Geoscience Dissemination. We welcome people engaged in research, education, or work related to the geosciences, as well as those interested in the geosciences in general, to join our society (annual membership fee: ¥5,000).
Members receive our bi-monthly publication Journal of Geography, which is published in color, and receive information on lectures, Geoscience Club, and geotours/field trips through the journal and e-mail news. Members can contribute articles to the Journal of Geography, apply for research and publication grants, and participate in a variety of public service activities.
For details on applying for membership, please consult our website.