IMV Receives FY2026 Industrial Standardization Award
IMV Corporation is pleased to announce that Yasuhiro Okuda of the Disaster Prevention Business Unit, MES Business Headquarters, has received the Director-General of the Innovation and Environment Bureau Award (Industrial Standardization Encouragement Award) at the FY2026 Industrial Standardization Awards presented by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).
Okuda has served as Project Leader for the development of the international standards ISO 37174:2024 and ISO 37194, which provide guidance on the use of seismometer systems for disaster risk reduction, under ISO/TC 268 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) / SC 1 (Smart Community Infrastructures) / WG 6 (Disaster Risk Reduction).
His contribution has gone beyond simply establishing rules for installing seismometers. He has helped develop international frameworks for using seismic measurement systems effectively in disaster prevention. He has also contributed to the wider adoption of these standards by introducing ISO standards and practical examples of seismometer applications at events including the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and a global disaster prevention conference hosted by Saudi Arabia.
This award recognizes his contributions to both the development and promotion of these international standards.
※TC: Technical Committee responsible for developing international standards in a specific field
※SC: Subcommittee established within a Technical Committee
※WG: Working Group established within a Subcommittee to develop individual standards
Why Are These International Standards Needed?
A seismometer is not simply a device for measuring ground motion.
“What should be measured, and how should the data be used for disaster prevention?” → ISO 37174:2024
“How should the appropriate seismometer system be selected for that purpose?” → ISO 37194
Together, these two international standards establish a common framework for defining the purpose of measurement, selecting the appropriate seismometer system, and applying the results to disaster prevention.
The standards are intended to help countries, particularly emerging economies with high earthquake disaster risk, appropriately introduce and utilize earthquake disaster prevention systems and expertise developed in Japan.
We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious award. Encouraged by this recognition, IMV will continue not only to develop products and technologies, but also to create systems that turn measurement technologies into practical tools for disaster prevention, contributing to disaster prevention and mitigation around the world.
Award Overview
Award: FY2026 Industrial Standardization Awards
Category: Director-General of the Innovation and Environment Bureau Award
Industrial Standardization Encouragement Award
(Standards Development, Accreditation and Certification Category)
Recipient: Yasuhiro Okuda, IMV Corporation
Related International Standards
ISO 37174:2024
Guidance on the Implementation of Seismometer Systems
ISO 37194
Guidance on the Selection Process for Seismometer Systems Suitable for Specific Purposes
