Message from the President

The Institute for International Monetary Affairs (IIMA) was originally established on December 1, 1995, as a non-profit research organization, with a basic capital contribution of 2 billion Japanese yen from the Bank of Tokyo (currently MUFG Bank, Ltd.) on the occasion of the Bank of Tokyo’s merger to form a commercial bank. The Bank of Tokyo, as a specialized foreign exchange bank, had accumulated extensive knowledge and experience in the field of international finance and currencies since its days as the Yokohama Specie Bank. The purposes of setting up the IIMA were, therefore, to pass on to future generations the valuable expertise that had been inherited over more than a century and to utilize such expertise in the public interest through high-quality research in the international monetary field and through international exchange of opinions.
In pursuing our mission at the IIMA, we have extended our knowledge base and information networks, with a wide range of endorsement and backing from our contributors, relevant authorities, and researchers in economic circles and academia, both domestic and international, and we may say that we have firmly established ourselves as a research institution specializing in international finance and monetary affairs. In April 2011, the Institute for International Monetary Affairs (IIMA) was reborn as a public interest incorporated foundation authorized by the Cabinet Office. 5 years have passed since the IIMA was authorized as a public incorporated foundation and also 20 years have passed since the IIMA was originally established.
Based on our accumulated knowledge and experience, we will continue to engage in efforts to actively contribute to the welfare of our economy and society by conducting timely research and studies and disseminating their results for the benefit of society. Your continued support and cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

President Hiroshi Watanabe	Managing Director Takeshi Suzuki