Dec. 1871

Statistics Division (Seihyo-ka) is established in the Main Office of the pre-constitutional Meiji government

(Dajokan Seiin).

Dec. 1879

Population Survey of the Province of Kai (Kainokuni Genzai Ninbetsu Shirabe) conducted as the first government

population survey employing field enumeration in Japan.

May 1881

After several reorganizations, the Statistics Office (Tokei-in) is established within the Dajokan, greatly strengthening

the statistical system of the government. This Statistics Office is responsible for coordinating all statistical activities

of the government.

Dec. 1885

With the establishment of the Cabinet in place of the Dajokan, the Statistics Office becomes the Statistics Bureau,

an external bureau of the Cabinet.

May 1920

The Cabinet Statistics Bureau and the Munitions Bureau (Gunju Kyoku) merge, and the Census Office (Kokusei-in)

is established within the Cabinet, with the statistics department becoming the First Division of the Office.

First nationwide population census is conducted as of October 1.

Feb. 1921

Statistics Staff Training Institute is established in the First Division of the Census Office.

Dec. 1924

The Cabinet Statistics Bureau is reinstated (as an internal bureau) following abolition of the Census Office.

Dec. 1946

After World War II, responsibility for the coordination of statistics and statistical activities is transferred to the Statistical

Commission which is established in the Cabinet.

May 1947

With the establishment of the Prime Minister's Agency, the Cabinet Statistics Bureau becomes the Statistics Bureau of

the Prime Minister's Agency.

Jun. 1949

With the establishment of the Prime Minister's Office, the Statistics Bureau of the Prime Minister's Agency becomes

the Statistics Bureau of the Prime Minister's Office, and the Statistical Commission becomes an external bureau

of the Prime Minister's Office.

Aug. 1952

With the establishment of the Administrative Management Agency, the Statistical Commission becomes the Statistical

Standards Department of the Agency. At the same time, the Statistics Council is established as an advisory organ to

the department.

Aug. 1957

The Statistical Standards Department of the Administrative Management Agency becomes the Statistical Standards

Bureau of the Agency.

Jun. 1968

The Statistical Standards Bureau of the Administrative Management Agency becomes the Office of the Director for

Statistical Standards of the Agency.

Jul. 1984

With the establishment of the Management and Coordination Agency, the Statistics Bureau of the Management and

Coordination Agency is formed by combining the General Affairs Division, the Statistical Information Division and the

Survey Department of the Statistics Bureau with the Office of the Director for Statistical Standards of the Administrative

Management Agency. At the same time, the Tabulation Department of the Statistics Bureau is transformed into the

Statistics Center. The Statistical Training Institute becomes an organ attached to the Statistics Center.

Jan. 2001

With the reorganization of Japan's central government, the Management and Coordination Agency is reorganized into

the newly established Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). As a consequence the Statistics

Bureau and the Statistics Center become part of MIC. The Statistical Training Institute is transformed into the

Statistical Research and Training Institute by integrating the research and publishing functions as well as the library.

Apr. 2003

The Statistics Center is reorganized into an incorporated administrative agency and renamed the National Statistics

Center. The Statistical Research and Training Institute is reorganized into a training institution of the MIC.

Aug. 2005

The Statistical Standards Department of the Statistics Bureau is reorganized into the Director-General for Policy

Planning (Statistical Standards) of the MIC.

May 2007

The full revision of the Statistics Act.

Oct. 2007

The Statistical Council is abolished, and the Statistics Commission is established in the Cabinet Office.

Apr. 2009

The full enforcement of the Statistics Act.