Milestone-Proposal talk:JJY: Standard Signal Transmitting Station in Japan, 1940
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-- Administrator4 (talk) 12:15, 21 July 2025 (UTC)
Advocates’ Checklist (Read Only; Do Not Edit)
- Is the proposal for an achievement rather than for a person? If the citation includes a person's name, have the proposers provided the required justification for inclusion of the person's name?
- Was the proposed achievement a significant advance rather than an incremental improvement to an existing technology?
- Were there prior or contemporary achievements of a similar nature? If so, have they been properly considered in the background information and in the citation?
- Has the achievement truly led to a functioning, useful, or marketable technology?
- Is the proposal adequately supported by significant references (minimum of five) such as patents, contemporary newspaper articles, journal articles, or citations to pages in scholarly books? At least one of the references should be from a peer-reviewed scholarly book or journal article. The full text of the material, not just the references, shall be present. If the supporting texts are copyright-encumbered and cannot be posted on the ETHW for intellectual property reasons, the proposers shall email a copy to the History Center so that it can be forwarded to the Advocate. If the Advocate does not consider the supporting references sufficient, the Advocate may ask the proposer(s) for additional ones.
- Are the scholarly references sufficiently recent?
- Does the proposed citation explain why the achievement was successful and impactful?
- Does the proposed citation include important technical aspects of the achievement?
- Is the proposed citation readable and understandable by the general public?
- Will the citation be read correctly in the future by only using past tense? Does the citation wording avoid statements that read accurately only at the time that the proposal is written?
- Does the proposed plaque site fulfill the requirements as specified by the Milestones Guidelines? (i.e. publicly accessible, appropriately related to the achievement, secure, etc.)
- Is the proposal quality comparable to that of IEEE publications?
- Are any scientific and technical units correct (e.g., km, mm, hertz, etc.)? Are acronyms correct and properly upper-cased or lower-cased? Are the letters in any acronym explained in the title or the citation?
- Are date formats correct as specified in Section 6 of Milestones Program Guidelines? Helpful Hints on Citations, plaque locations
- Do the year(s) appearing in the citation fall within the range of the year(s) included at the end of the title?
- Note that it is the Advocate's responsibility to confirm that the independent reviewers have no conflict of interest (e.g., that they do not work for a company or a team involved in the achievement being proposed, that they have not published with the proposer(s), and have not worked on a project related to the funding of the achievement). An example of a way to check for this would be to search reviewers' publications on IEEE Xplore.
- Are the GPS coordinates correct and in decimal format?
- 18. Is the proposed achievement controversial because of various reasons including but not limited to: ecological, environmental, social impact, political scandal, etc.? (A relatively simple Google search on the achievement by the advocate, combined with words such as "protest", "scandal", "environmental impact" should be sufficient to alert the advocate.)
Independent Expert Reviewers’ Checklist
- Is suggested wording of the Plaque Citation accurate?
- Is evidence presented in the proposal of sufficient substance and accuracy to support the Plaque Citation?
- Does proposed milestone represent a significant technical achievement?
- Were there similar or competing achievements? If so, have the proposers adequately described these and their relationship to the achievement being proposed?
- Have proposers shown a clear benefit to humanity?
In answering the questions above, the History Committee asks that independent expert reviewers apply a similar level of rigor to that used to peer-review an article, or evaluate a research proposal. Some elaboration is desirable. Of course the Committee would welcome any additional observations that you may have regarding this proposal.
Submission and Approval Log (For staff use only)
Submitted date: 22 July 2025
Advocate approval date:
History Committee approval date:
Board of Directors approval date:
Citation as originally submitted -- Administrator4 (talk) 17:10, 23 July 2025 (UTC)
JJY: Standard Time and Frequency Signal Transmitting Station in Japan, 1940
The Standard Time and Frequency Signal Transmitting Station, constructed by the Electrotechnical Laboratory in Japan in 1940, marked a significant advancement in national standardization. It has transmitted accurate frequency signals since 1940 and time signals since 1948, across Japan, contributing to postwar reconstruction, technological innovation, and societal modernization. Its foundation enabled highly synchronized infrastructure and time-dependent systems essential to modern life in Japan.
Expert Reviewer's Report_1_Bauch uploaded by Advocate -- Tomohiro Hase (talk) 12:42, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
Dear Hase-san,
attached please find my assessment as requested.
media:Assessment_JJY_IEEE_AB.pdf
Sincerely yours
Andreas Bauch
___________________________________
Dr. Andreas Bauch
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Fachbereich Zeit und Frequenz, AG 4.42
Time and Frequency Department, AG 4.42
Bundesallee 100
38116 Braunschweig, Germany
Re: Expert Reviewer's Report_1_Bauch uploaded by Advocate -- NICT Watanabe (talk) 07:56, 16 August 2025 (UTC)
Dear Dr. Bauch,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and thorough assessment of our Milestone Proposal for JJY: Standard Signal Transmitting Station in Japan, 1940. We deeply appreciate your expert insights and the time you dedicated to reviewing the historical and technical aspects of our submission.
Your recognition of JJY’s significance as a national infrastructure project and its contributions to synchronization, regulation, and innovation is truly encouraging. We are especially grateful for your validation of the Plaque Citation wording and the supporting evidence, as well as your contextualization of JJY’s role in the global development of time dissemination technologies.
Your comments will be invaluable as we move forward with the proposal. Thank you again for your kind support and for sharing your expertise.
With sincere appreciation,
Soichi Watanabe,
Proposer, NICT
Expert Reviewer's Report_2_Levine uploaded by Advocate -- Tomohiro Hase (talk) 22:15, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
Dear colleagues,
I have reviewed the milestone proposal for the JJY station in Japan.
I have been very closely involved with the operation of the NIST radio stations WWV and WWVB for many years, and I am very familiar with the operation of the JJY station because it is similar to many aspects to the NIST stations WWV, WWVH, and WWVB.
One of the original goals of the JJY station was to provide a reference frequency signal for radio stations. This was an important contribution because the lack of a national frequency reference made it difficult for radio stations to broadcast on assigned frequencies without interference from other stations. The addition of time information increased the usefulness of the transmissions and provided support for international time and frequency comparisons with MSF in the UK and WWV in the US. These comparisons made an important contribution to the development and dissemination of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
1. The citation of the plaque accurately describes the importance of radio station JJY.
2. Yes, the documentation provides a detailed description of the station and supports the citation.
3. The station JJY was a significant technical achievement when the station was established. The original quartz-crystal frequency references were the state of the art at that time, and the infrastructure needed to transmit and receive the timing signals was a significant advance in understanding and minimizing the phase shifts in the transmitter and the receiving equipment. A control of these delays is important, since variation in these contributions affect the accuracy and the stability of the transmissions in first order.
4. There were other radio stations operating at that time that are similar to JJY. For example, WWV at NIST in the US. The proposal describes these similar stations and the relationship between JJY and WWV. This relationship is especially significant in fostering international time and frequency coordination and the development of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
5. The transmissions from JJY supported many domestic applications that depended on accurate time and frequency information, but also made a significant contribution to international time and frequency coordination because radio transmissions do not stop at national boundaries. Links to other time signals, such as WWV played an important role in international financial and commercial exchanges, and this close relationship has become even more important in the years after the initial establishment of JJY.
In summary, I strongly support the proposal and I recommend that it be accepted. I have no reservations about this recommendation.
Best wishes,
Judah Levine
Re: Expert Reviewer's Report_2_Levine uploaded by Advocate -- NICT Watanabe (talk) 08:06, 16 August 2025 (UTC)
Dear Dr. Levine,
Thank you very much for your generous and insightful review of our Milestone Proposal for the JJY station. Your deep expertise, especially through your long-standing involvement with NIST’s WWV and WWVB stations, brings exceptional value to the evaluation of our submission.
We are particularly grateful for your recognition of JJY’s technical achievements and its role in advancing both domestic and international time and frequency coordination. Your comments on the historical context and the parallels with WWV and MSF help to underscore the global significance of JJY’s contributions.
Your support for the proposal and your clear endorsement are deeply appreciated. We are honored to receive such thoughtful feedback from a leading figure in the field.
With warm regards,
Soichi Watanabe,
Proposer, NICT
Expert Reviewer's Report_3_Musha uploaded by Advocate -- Tomohiro Hase (talk) 01:45, 19 August 2025 (UTC)
I received following expert review report from Prof. Mitsuru Musha who is a professor of the University of Electro-Communications.
Dr. Tomohiro Hase, Advocate.
Expert Review Report: JJY: Standard Time and Frequency Signal Transmitting Station in Japan, 1940
(1) Is suggested wording of the Plaque Citation accurate?
Yes, the words suggested for the Plaque Citation are accurate.
(2) Is evidence presented in the proposal of sufficient substance and accuracy to support the
Plaque Citation?
Yes, I confirm the accuracy of this document by checking references [1],[2],[6] and [7].
(3) Does proposed milestone represent a significant technical achievement?
Yes. JJY had played important roles as Japanese first standard time and frequency signal transmission station which distributed crystal-oscillator-based highly precision microwave signal. It had contributed the establishing of the basic and industrial infrastructure of Japan, especially for the industrial recovery after WWII, such as railways, telecommunications broadcasting, scientific research, and it had also contributed international time coordination.
(4) Were there similar or competing achievements? If so, have the proposers adequately
described these and their relationship to the achievement being proposed?
In Sec.5, it is clearly presented that JJY is distinguished from other similar achievements as the pioneered the nationalization and systematization of time dissemination station. JJY had been established in 1940 following WWV in United States. Compared with WWV which had been originated as a research facility, JJY had strategically established as a pioneering model of national time dissemination station which contributes transportation, telecommunication and consumer technology, and domestic and international coordination with other research institutes for keeping and synchronization of standard time.
(5) Have proposers shown a clear benefit to humanity?
Yes. JJY gives a clear benefit to humanity through domestic and international contributions. JJY had been established in 1940 as the pioneering model of national time dissemination station which greatly contributes to not only the industrial and scientific development and also global time synchronization and calibration by collaborating with international research institutes and joining standardization activities.
Conclusion
According to the proposal, I strongly recommend JJY as the IEEE milestone because JJY is sufficiently worthy of being technical and historical heritage as "Standard Time and Frequency Signal Transmitting Station in Japan"
Mitsuru Musya, Ph. D.
Professor, the University of Electro-Communications
Re: Expert Reviewer's Report_3_Musha uploaded by Advocate -- NICT Watanabe (talk) 05:53, 22 August 2025 (UTC)
- Thank you very much for your thoughtful and supportive review of our proposal. We sincerely appreciate your confirmation of the accuracy and significance of JJY as a technical and historical milestone. Your detailed comments and endorsement are truly encouraging and will be invaluable in moving forward with the IEEE Milestone recognition.
Expert Reviewer's Report_4_Goka uploaded by Advocate -- Tomohiro Hase (talk) 03:16, 25 August 2025 (UTC)
In my capacity as Advocate, I am submitting the attached Expert Review Report, which was received on August 25, 2025, from Professor Shigeyoshi Goka of Tokyo Metropolitan University.
Expert Review Report: JJY: Standard Time and Frequency Signal Transmitting Station in Japan, 1940
(1) Is suggested wording of the Plaque Citation accurate?
Yes, the wording of the suggested Plaque Citation appropriately summarizes the technical achievement and historical significance of JJY with clarity and brevity.
(2) Is evidence presented in the proposal of sufficient substance and accuracy to support the Plaque Citation?
Yes, the proposal provides sufficient, well-documented, and accurate evidence to support the Plaque Citation, as substantiated by references 1 to 3, 5, and 7.
(3) Does proposed milestone represent a significant technical achievement?
Yes, the proposed milestone represents a significant technical achievement, as JJY was the world’s second national standard time and frequency signal transmitting station in Japan.
(4) Were there similar or competing achievements? If so, have the proposers adequately described these and their relationship to the achievement being proposed?
Yes, JJY was the world’s second national standard time and frequency signal transmitting station, following WWV, which initially began as a research facility in the United States. Unlike WWV, JJY was conceived from the outset as a national infrastructure project, incorporating the early integration of public service and regulation, as well as technical innovations such as automatic signal generation and time-pulse transmission. These features established JJY as a pioneering facility that greatly advanced time and frequency standardization in Japan.
The milestone proposal also clearly and thoroughly describes the relationship to WWV and other international stations, and JJY’s contributions to global time synchronization are well explained.
(5) Have proposers shown a clear benefit to humanity?
Yes, the proposal demonstrates a clear and lasting benefit to humanity. JJY enabled nationwide synchronization of clocks and systems, improving the efficiency of transportation, communications, broadcasting, and scientific research. The transmitted signals laid the foundation for the widespread adoption of radio-controlled clocks in Japan. JJY’s legacy continues to support modern technologies such as GNSS synchronization, financial systems, and the stability of power grids, underscoring its enduring societal value.
Shigeyoshi Goka, Ph. D, Professor of Tokyo Metropolitan University.
Re: Expert Reviewer's Report_4_Goka uploaded by Advocate -- NICT Watanabe (talk) 10:09, 27 August 2025 (UTC)
Dear Professor Goka,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and thorough review of our milestone proposal, “JJY: Standard Time and Frequency Signal Transmitting Station in Japan, 1940.”
We are deeply grateful for your positive evaluation of the Plaque Citation, the supporting evidence, and the historical and technical significance of JJY. Your recognition of JJY’s pioneering role in national time and frequency standardization, as well as its enduring societal contributions, is truly encouraging.
We especially appreciate your insightful comparison with WWV and your acknowledgment of JJY’s unique innovations and public service orientation from its inception. Your comments affirm the importance of this achievement not only within Japan but also in the broader context of global time synchronization.
Thank you again for your valuable support and endorsement of this proposal.
Sincerely,
Soichi Watanabe
Proposer, NICT
Expert Reviewer's Report_5_Hosaka uploaded by Advocate -- Tomohiro Hase (talk) 08:03, 26 August 2025 (UTC)
Dear Dr. Tomohiro Hase,
Thank you very much for your message. I am very honored to have the opportunity to review the Standard Time and Frequency Signal Transmitting Station in Japan operated by NICT, which has great historical and technological value. Following your instructions, I will send you the following response:
1. Is the suggested wording of the Plaque Citation accurate?
Response:
Yes, the suggested wording of the Plaque Citation is correct and accurate. The text clearly and concisely describes the history of JJY and its role in the modernization of Japan.
2. Is the evidence presented in the proposal of sufficient substance and accuracy to support the citation?
Response:
Yes, for example, the following documents allow us to understand the history of the JJY and its important role in Japan’s advancement in precision timekeeping:
The Kanpō: Official announcement by Japan Gov.
Noriyuki Kurihara: “Longwave Standard Radio Wave: Standard Signal for Radio-Controlled Clocks,” IEEJ Journal, pp. 496–499, Vol. 125, No. 8, 2005.
Masatoshi Tanaka, Akinori Kikuchi, Shigehisa Honma; “3. Time and Frequency Signal Supply by Shortwave Standard Radio (JJY),” Quarterly Journal of the Radio Research Laboratories, pp.263–278, Vol. 29 No.149, February 1983
Furthermore, chapters such as “A Model of National Time Utility,” “Solving Frequency Instability in Wireless Communications,” “Broad and Lasting Impact,” and “Legacy and Continued Importance” provide detailed support for the Plaque Citation. Using the references above as evidence, these chapters provide detailed information on years, dates, technical specifications, and also social impact of JJY.
3. Does the proposed milestone represent a significant technical achievement?
Response:
Yes, the proposed milestone represents a significant technical achievement.
The sentence in the Introduction, “JJY pioneered the continuous dissemination of highly stable signals using quartz crystal oscillators and innovative shortwave broadcasting techniques,” is expanded upon in chapters such as “Technological and Scientific Advancements,” “Social and Industrial Impact”, “International Collaboration and Resilience,” “Technical Challenges: Frequency Stability and Transmission,” and “Technical Success Under Adverse Conditions”. These descriptions provide excellent details about significant technical achievements.
4. Were there similar or competing achievements? If so, have the proposers adequately described these and their relation to the proposed achievement?
Response:
Yes. The key point should be that JJY is the world’s second national standard time and frequency radio station—following WWV in the United States (1939). A detailed description of this is provided in “A Globally Distinct Milestone” and “Technological Leadership and Innovation”. The following explanation is particularly important: “Unlike WWV, which originated as a research facility, JJY was conceived from the outset as a national infrastructure project—integrating precision timekeeping with public service, regulation, and industrial utility. This strategic orientation set JJY apart as a pioneering model of national time dissemination.”
This is a unique facility that was built for practical purposes under a national strategy, in anticipation of the fact that sharing accurate time will become an extremely important social infrastructure for enriching our quality of life.
5. Have proposers shown a clear benefit to humanity?
Response:
Yes, JJY enabled synchronization of clocks and systems across Japan, enhancing efficiency in railways, telecommunications, broadcasting, scientific research, and public services.
Its signals became the foundation for Japan’s widespread adoption of radio-controlled clocks, which automatically synchronize with JJY broadcasts. These clocks are now ubiquitous in homes, offices, and public infrastructure, ensuring nationwide punctuality and trust in timekeeping.
By overcoming these diverse challenges, Japan succeeded in establishing a world-class standard time and frequency system. JJY’s reliable broadcasts supported advancements in communications, science, industry, and navigation, positioning Japan as a global contributor to time and frequency standardization.
JJY is a valuable technical and historical heritage as a “Standard Time and Frequency Signal Transmitting Station in Japan,” and we strongly recommend it as an IEEE Milestone.
Kazumoto Hosaka
Deputy Director General, National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ)
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
Re: Expert Reviewer's Report_5_Hosaka uploaded by Advocate -- NICT Watanabe (talk) 10:13, 27 August 2025 (UTC)
Dear Dr. Hosaka,
Thank you very much for your detailed and insightful review of our IEEE Milestone proposal, “JJY: Standard Time and Frequency Signal Transmitting Station in Japan, 1940.”
We are truly honored by your thoughtful evaluation and your recognition of JJY’s historical and technological significance. Your comments affirm the importance of JJY as a pioneering national infrastructure project that contributed not only to Japan’s modernization but also to global advancements in time and frequency standardization.
We greatly appreciate your thorough analysis of the Plaque Citation wording, the supporting documentation, and the technical achievements described in the proposal. Your references to key chapters and publications provide strong validation of JJY’s role in precision timekeeping and its broad societal impact.
Your emphasis on JJY’s unique position as the world’s second national standard time and frequency station, and its strategic orientation from the outset, highlights the distinctiveness of this achievement. We also deeply value your recognition of JJY’s enduring contributions to public services, industry, and scientific research, which continue to benefit society today.
Thank you again for your generous support and for recommending JJY as an IEEE Milestone. Your endorsement is deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
Soichi Watanabe
Proposer, NICT