The Tokyo Geographical Society (TGS) is the oldest academic society in Japan, consisting of approximately 700 professionals (scientists, teachers, engineers, etc.) (in 2022) in geology, mineralogy, geography, geophysics, geochemistry, etc. The primary purpose is to promote the advancement of a wide range of geoscience disciplines including natural and social sciences, humanities, and engineering, and to contribute the fruits of these disciplines to the public. TGS is also a registered “Public Interest Incorporated Association” under the Act on Authorization of Public Interest Incorporated Associations in Japan since 2012. 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 the TGS establishment:

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) Editing and publishing the ofJournal 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.

TGS Website
    Soon after the Meiji Restoration (1868), four diplomatic and cultural envoys, Hiromoto Watanabe (1848–1901), Takeaki Enomoto (1836–1908), Naohiro Nabeshima (1846–1921), and Moriyoshi Nagaoka (1842–1906) were dispatched on missions in West Europe  as leading statesmen and scholars. They all realized how geosciences had played an important role in the development of these advanced countries. They joined the Royal Geographical Society in Wien, London or St. Petersburg during their stay in Europe, and felt a strong need to establish such a society also in Japan. After their return to Japan, they founded the Tokyo Geographical Society on April 18, 1879, modeled after the Geographical Society of London (the Royal Geographical Society) with a purpose to contribute to the advancement of Japan, inviting Imperial Prince Yoshihisa Kitashirakawa (1847-1895) as the First President.

At the beginning of the society activities, the members consisted of royal families, aristocrats, politicians, diplomats, and soldiers. Later, geoscience experts had managed the society as the number of geoscientists had gradually increased in Japan. Since 1970, geoscientists have served as presidents of the society.

Poster on Foundation of the Tokyo Geographical Society
  The publication of the Society, the “Report of the Tokyo Geographical Society” launched at the time of foundation was subsequently developed into its successor the “Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi)” first issued in 1889.
Volumes (6 issues a year) published since 2013 to recent including editorial and submission guides, and all issues and papers since 1889 can be read at Journal Archive site and J-STAGE, respectively. According to J-STAGE, the number of downloaded papers a month reaches over a few tens of thousands in recent years, indicating a high degree of recognition of our official journal in geoscience circles.


　
Special Issue “2022 Year of Mineralogy”
Special Issue “Recording 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster”
  We hold public lectures and special lectures every spring and fall. Geo-experts provide easy-to-understand explanations on topics of broad interest to the general public, such as natural disasters, global warming, and resource issues, as well as interdisciplinary issues. Non-members are also welcome to attend. The announcement, abstracts, reports, and materials of the lectures are posted on the TGS website and Journal of Geography to provide a record of the past events.

The "Geoscience Club" is held once every two months in the auditorium of the Chigaku Kaikan (TGS-owned building in Tokyo) to promote geoscience researches and friendship among TGS members. These are historical lectures that continue the salon-like atmosphere since the TGS founding.

Both events are open to the general public, and announced on the TGS website.
  TGS holds a domestic geotour about once a year with easy content and detailed explanations that are open to the general public.

We also organize an overseas geoscience excursion about once a year. Since the TGS is not a travel agency, tours are organized by travel agencies, and the Society provides support in planning and guiding tours.
  　In order to promote geoscience research, we have established a survey and research grant system for our members and those who are introduced by our members.
 
1) Surveys and research on geoscience (including educational methods and dissemination research)
2) International research meetings on geoscience held in Japan
  We welcome persons who are experts in geosciences and related fields, who agree with the objectives of the association and are willing to take an active role in the various projects of the association, and who have completed a master's or master's degree in geosciences or related sciences, or who have academic experience equivalent to or greater than this judging from their research achievements, or who have practical experience in the society.

For details on the admission procedure and the application form, please visit the TGS website (Admission Information page).