Experiences of geotechnical development in Japan and future directions

Geotechnical engineering (Doshitsu-Koogaku in Japanese) was used since Terzaghi's Erdbaumechanik was translated into Japanese around 1930. The report of the Swedish National Railways about geotechnical engineering was translated into Japanese by the Committee of Geotechnical Engineering, Japanese National Railways, and used as practical reference. The geotechnical engineering was applied effectively for the prevention and restoration of natural disaster and developing food production during 1945-55. Prof. Noboru Yamaguchi presented a paper to the first International Conference in 1936. The Japanese Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering was established in 1950, and have been presenting papers and sending delegates to every International Conference. The Soils and Foundation has been issued since 1960. The 9th International Conference of Soil Mechanics & FE was successfully held in Tokyo. Through these activities, geotechnical development in Japan has been published to other countries in the world. Before 1965, we learned a lot from other countries. After 1965, the wave of internationalization has advanced remarkably, and it becomes difficult to extract pure advance of geotechnical engineering in this country. There were many big projects like Seikan Tunnel, Honshu-Shikoku Connecting Bridges, Shinkansen, Highway, Kansai International Airport and Trans-Tokyo-Bay Highway. In connection with these projects, the geotechnical engineering has been developed, and applied to other construction works. There are many important items to be solved. They are environment, energy and labour saving, cost reduction, maintenance, etc. Innovation is necessary to cope with these future problems. Technology transfer to other countries is also important. © 2016, Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society. All rights reserved.