ICS JAPAN
ICS JAPAN registered as a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) in Japan in June 2024, is headquartered in Nagoya and also serves as the headquarters for ICS INTERNATIONAL.
In accordance with the regulations stipulated by the NPO law, ICS JAPAN operates and conducts activities in line with the purpose and articles of incorporation filed with the Japanese government.
The representative of ICS JAPAN concurrently holds a position on the board of directors of ICS INTERNATIONAL, as per the agreement within ICS INTERNATIONAL.
While the fundamental purposes of ICS INTERNATIONAL and ICS JAPAN are aligned, their articles of incorporation differ to accommodate specific legal and operational requirements in each jurisdiction.
Purpose of Establishment
1. Purpose Young people are the ones who will build the future of our country and the world. It is the responsibility of adults and the government to provide young people with appropriate education and nurture talented individuals. While the current 6-3-3-4 education system in Japan has contributed significantly to our country’s development, it is also considered to be monotonous and uniform, hindering the independent thinking of talented children.
This is not a problem unique to Japan, but is even more pronounced in developing countries. Uniform education with minimal attention to science and technology curricula has hindered research and development by talented individuals in developing countries, and research and development by talented individuals. And precisely because of this, these so-called underdeveloped countries cannot break free from their dependence on developed countries. There is a need for education that enhances the ability to explore problems and implement methodologies and actions to comprehensively solve them.
There is a growing need to contribute meaningfully to 21st-century society through science and technology. To this end, it is necessary to implement education aimed at developing “human resources with rich humanity and abilities who will inherit and lead tomorrow’s science” and “human resources with creativity that make use of diverse individualities.”
The educational program for this purpose is comprehensive mathematical science education. In 2011, we launched the voluntary organization “Sogo-Suri Innovation” as an NGO to promote comprehensive mathematical science education.Since then, we have opened a website and published “ENTERPRISE: The Pursuit of Opportunities”. We have also been active in organizing and participating in the International Mathematical Science Education Conference (IMCSE) six times since 2015.
Since 2023, we have been developing comprehensive mathematical science education with two pillars: comprehensive mathematical science advanced education and comprehensive mathematical science STEAM education (education that creates cross-disciplinary learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). It is a problem-finding and problem-solving type of education aimed at discovering new horizons in science and technology.
By providing knowledge, wisdom, and methods related to comprehensive mathematical science education, we support children, educators, students aspiring to become teachers, parents, citizens, and people in other countries through workshops and seminars. We conduct support projects and research related to comprehensive mathematical science education, and aim to foster human resources who play leadership roles and have diverse personalities. By supporting the development of creative human resources who make the most of their ideas, we aim to promote public interests such as mathematics and science education and the sound education of children. This will also be our small contribution to Goal 4 (Education) of the SDGs: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
We have been developing activities to promote comprehensive mathematical science education. In the process, we have had many encounters and empathy. We have now decided to apply for the incorporation of Sogo-Suri Innovation as a specified non-profit organization, with the recognition that organizing as a corporation is the best way to bring together a wealth of wisdom and promote educational activities by utilizing our respective expertise.
2. History Leading up to the Application 2011: Established the voluntary organization Sogo-Suri Innovation (SOGOSURI INNOVATIONS) 2011: Opened a website for public relations purposes From 2011 to 2019: Planned and participated in the International Conference on Mathematical Science Education 2013: Published ENTERPRISE: The Pursuit of Opportunities 2017 and 2018: Participated in a joint research project on STEM education October 2023:Founding promoters Norihiro Sugimoto and Tatsuhiro Uchida met and discussed the establishment of a specified non-profit organization. February 15, 2024: Held a meeting of the founding promoters to deliberate on the purpose of establishment, articles of incorporation, membership fees, and assets, business plans for 2024 and 2025, activity budgets, and proposals for officers. March 21, 2024: Held an inaugural general meeting, where the proposals were approved, leading to the application.
March 21, 2024
Specified Nonprofit Organization Sogo-Suri Innovation Founding Representative Norihiro Sugimoto
Articles of Incorporation of the Specified Non-Profit Organization Innovations for Comprehensive Science
Chapter 1: General Provisions
(Name)
Article 1: The name of this corporation shall be Innovations for Comprehensive Science, Specified Non-Profit Organization.
(Office)
Article 2: The principal office of this corporation shall be located at 201, Building 1, Shimadabashi Housing, 301-2 Shimada, Tenpaku Ward, Nagoya City.
Chapter 2: Purpose and Activities
(Purpose)
Article 3: The purpose of this corporation is to contribute to the public interest, such as mathematics and science education and the sound education of children, by supporting the development of human resources who play leadership roles and creative human resources who make use of their diverse personalities by providing knowledge, wisdom, and methods related to comprehensive mathematical science education to children, educators, students aspiring to become teachers, parents, citizens, and people in other countries.
(Types of Specified Non-Profit Activities)
Article 4: In order to achieve the purpose set forth in Article 3, this corporation shall engage in the following types of specified non-profit activities:
(1) Activities to promote social education
(2) Activities to promote academic, cultural, artistic, or sports activities
(3) International cooperation activities
(4) Activities to promote the sound development of children
(5) Activities to promote science and technology
(6) Activities to provide liaison, advice, or assistance regarding the operation or activities of organizations engaged in any of the activities listed in the preceding items
(Business)
Article 5: In order to achieve the purpose set forth in Article 3, this corporation shall engage in the following specified non-profit activities:
(1) Research and study projects related to comprehensive mathematical science
(2) Educational support projects related to comprehensive mathematical science
(3) Promotion and awareness-raising projects related to comprehensive mathematical science
(4) Research, development, and dissemination of teaching materials and equipment that contribute to comprehensive mathematical science education
(5) International contribution projects through comprehensive mathematical science
(6) Community contribution projects through comprehensive mathematical science (7)
Comprehensive mathematical science proposal projects
(8) Other projects necessary to achieve the purpose
Chapter 3: Members
(Types)
Article 6: There shall be two types of members of this corporation, and regular members shall be the members under the Act on the Promotion of Specified Nonprofit Activities (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”).
(1) Regular members: Individuals and organizations who have joined the association in agreement with its purpose
(2) Supporting members: Individuals and organizations who have joined the association to support its purpose
(Admission)
Article 7:
1. There shall be no special conditions for membership.
2. A person who wishes to become a member shall apply to the president using a membership application form separately prescribed by the president, and the president shall not refuse membership without just cause.
3. If the president does not approve the membership of a person under the preceding paragraph, the president shall promptly notify the person in writing with reasons.
(Admission Fees and Dues)
Article 8: Members shall pay admission fees and dues as separately determined by the general meeting.
(Loss of Membership Qualification)
Article 9: A member shall lose his/her membership qualification if he/she falls under any of the following items:
(1) When a notice of withdrawal is submitted.
(2) When the person dies or the organization that is a member ceases to exist.
(3) When dues have been in arrears for two consecutive years or more.
(4) When expelled.
(Withdrawal)
Article 10: A member may voluntarily withdraw from the organization by submitting a withdrawal notice separately prescribed by the president to the president.
(Expulsion)
Article 11: A member may be expelled by resolution of the general meeting if he/she falls under any of the following items. In this case, the member must be given an opportunity to explain himself/herself before the resolution is made.
(1) When the member has violated these articles of incorporation, etc.
(2) When the member has damaged the reputation of this corporation or acted against its purpose.
(Non-Return of Contributions)
Article 12: Admission fees, dues, and other contributions already paid shall not be refunded.
Chapter 4: Officers and Employees
(Types and Number)
Article 13: This corporation shall have the following officers:
(1) Directors: 3 or more and 10 or less
(2) Auditors: 1 or more and 2 or less 2. Of the directors, one shall be the president and two shall be vice presidents.
(Appointment, etc.)
Article 14:
1. Directors and auditors shall be elected at the general meeting.
2. The president and vice presidents shall be elected by mutual vote of the directors.
3. No more than one spouse or relative within the third degree of kinship of each officer may be included among the officers, nor may such officer and his/her spouse and relatives within the third degree of kinship exceed one-third of the total number of officers.
4. An auditor may not concurrently serve as a director or employee of this corporation.
(Duties)
Article 15:
1. The president shall represent this corporation and have general control over its affairs. Directors other than the president shall not represent this corporation in the conduct of its business.
2. The vice president shall assist the president and, in the event of an accident to the president or in the absence of the president, shall act in the president’s place in the order designated in advance by the president.
3. The directors shall constitute the board of directors and execute the business of this corporation based on the provisions of these articles of incorporation and the resolutions of the board of directors.
4. The auditors shall perform the following duties:
(1) Audit the status of the execution of business by the directors.
(2) Audit the status of the assets of this corporation.
(3) If, as a result of the audit under the preceding two items, the auditor discovers any fraudulent act or any serious fact in violation of laws and regulations or the articles of incorporation concerning the business or property of this corporation, he/she shall report it to the general meeting or the competent authorities.
(4) To convene a general meeting when necessary to make the report under the preceding item.
(5) To express opinions to the directors or request the convocation of the board of directors regarding the status of the execution of business by the directors or the status of the assets of this corporation.
(Term of Office, etc.)
Article 16:
1. The term of office of an officer shall be two years; provided, however, that reappointment shall not be precluded.
2. The term of office of an officer who has assumed office due to a vacancy or an increase in the number of officers shall be the remaining term of office of his/her predecessor or incumbent, respectively.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, an officer shall extend his/her term of office beyond the last day of his/her term of office until the conclusion of the first general meeting of members, only if his/her successor has not been elected.
(Filling of Vacancies)
Article 17: If the number of directors or auditors falls below one-third of the prescribed number, such vacancies shall be filled without delay.
(Dismissal)
Article 18: An officer may be dismissed by resolution of the general meeting if he/she falls under any of the following items. In this case, the officer must be given an opportunity to explain himself/herself before the resolution is made.
(1) When the officer is deemed to be in a situation where he/she is unable to perform his/her duties.
(2) When the officer has violated his/her duties or has engaged in other conduct unbecoming an officer.
(Remuneration, etc.)
Article 19:
1. Officers may receive remuneration within the limit of one-third or less of the total number of officers.
2. Officers may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
3. Necessary matters concerning the preceding two paragraphs shall be separately determined by the president, subject to the resolution of the general meeting.
(Employees)
Article 20:
1. This corporation shall have an executive director and other employees.
2. Employees shall be appointed and dismissed by the president.
Chapter 5: General Meeting
(Types)
Article 21: The general meeting of this corporation shall be of two types: ordinary general meeting and extraordinary general meeting.
(Composition)
Article 22: The general meeting shall be composed of regular members.
(Authority)
Article 23: The general meeting shall resolve the following matters:
(1) Amendment of the articles of incorporation
(2) Dissolution
(3) Merger
(4) Business plans and budgets and changes thereto
(5) Business reports and financial statements
(6) Election or dismissal of officers, their duties and remuneration
(7) Amount of admission fees and dues
(8) Borrowing (excluding short-term borrowing to be repaid with the income of the current fiscal year; the same shall apply in Article 47) and other new obligations and waivers of rights
(9) Organization and operation of the secretariat
(10) Other important matters concerning the operation of the organization
(Holding)
Article 24: An ordinary general meeting shall be held once every fiscal year. 2. An extraordinary general meeting shall be held in any of the following cases:
(1) When the board of directors deems it necessary and requests the convocation.
(2) When a request for convocation is made in writing or by electromagnetic means by one-fifth or more of the total number of regular members, stating the matters to be discussed at the meeting.
(3) When the convocation is made by an auditor pursuant to the provisions of Article 15, paragraph 4, item 4.
(Convocation)
Article 25: The general meeting shall be convened by the president, except in the case of Article 24, paragraph 2, item 3.
2. The president shall, when a request is made pursuant to the provisions of Article 24, paragraph 2, items 1 and 2,convene an extraordinary general meeting within 30 days from the date of such request.
3. When convening a general meeting, a written or electromagnetic notice stating the date, time, place, purpose, and matters to be discussed at the meeting shall be given at least five days prior to the meeting.
(Chairperson)
Article 26: The chairperson of the general meeting shall be elected from among the regular members present at the meeting.
(Quorum)
Article 27: A general meeting may not be opened unless at least half of the total number of regular members are present.
(Resolution)
Article 28:
1. The matters to be resolved at the general meeting shall be those notified in advance pursuant to the provisions of Article 25, paragraph 3.
2. The proceedings of the general meeting shall be decided by a majority of the regular members present, except as otherwise provided for in these articles of incorporation, and in the case of a tie, the chairperson shall decide.
3. In the event that a director or a regular member proposes a matter that is the purpose of the general meeting, and all regular members have expressed their consent in writing or by electromagnetic record, it shall be deemed that a resolution of the general meeting of members has been adopted to approve the proposal.
(Voting Rights, etc.)
Article 29:
1. Each regular member shall have equal voting rights.
2. A regular member who is unable to attend the general meeting for unavoidable reasons may vote in writing or by electromagnetic means on matters notified in advance, or may appoint another regular member as a proxy to vote.
3. A regular member who has voted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to have attended the general meeting for the purposes of Article 27, Article 28,paragraph 2, Article 30, paragraph 1, item 2, and Article 48.
4. A regular member who has a special interest in a resolution of the general meeting may not participate in the voting on the matter.
(Minutes)
Article 30: Minutes of the proceedings of the general meeting shall be prepared, stating the following matters:
(1) Date and place
(2) Total number of regular members and number of attendees (if there are voters or proxy voters by written or electromagnetic record, the number shall be noted)
(3) Matters discussed
(4) Summary of the proceedings and results of the resolutions
(5) Matters concerning the election of the person(s) who signed the minutes
2. The minutes shall be signed or signed and sealed by the chairperson and two or more persons designated at the meeting to sign the minutes.
3.Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, in the event that a resolution of the general meeting is deemed to have been adopted by the expression of consent in writing or by electromagnetic record by all regular members, minutes shall be prepared stating the following matters:
(1) The content of the matter for which it is deemed that a resolution of the general meeting of members has been adopted
(2) The name of the person who proposed the matter in the preceding item
(3) The date on which it is deemed that a resolution of the general meeting of members has been adopted
(4) The name of the person who performed the duties pertaining to the preparation of the minutes
Chapter 6: Board of Directors
(Composition)
Article 31: The board of directors shall be composed of directors.
(Authority)
Article 32: In addition to what is provided for in these articles of incorporation, the board of directors shall resolve the following matters:
(1) Matters to be submitted to the general meeting
(2) Matters concerning the execution of matters resolved by the general meeting
(3) Other matters concerning the execution of the affairs of the association that do not require a resolution of the general meeting
(Holding)
Article 33: The board of directors shall be held in any of the following cases:
(1) When the president deems it necessary.
(2) When a director requests the convocation in writing or by electromagnetic means, stating the matters to be discussed at the meeting.
(3) When a request for convocation is made by an auditor pursuant to the provisions of Article 15,paragraph 4, item 5.
(Convocation)
Article 34: The board of directors shall be convened by the president.
2. The president shall, when a request is made pursuant to the provisions of Article 33, paragraphs 2 and 3, convene a meeting of the board of directors within 14 days from the date of such request.
3. When convening a meeting of the board of directors, a written or electromagnetic notice stating the date, time, place, purpose, and matters to be discussed at the meeting shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting.
(Chairperson)
Article 35: The president shall be the chairperson of the board of directors.
(Resolution)
Article 36:
1. The matters to be resolved at a board of directors meeting shall be those notified in advance pursuant to the provisions of Article 34, paragraph 3.
2. The proceedings of the board of directors shall be decided by a majority of the total number of directors, and in the case of a tie, the chairperson shall decide.
(Voting Rights, etc.)
Article 37:
1. Each director shall have equal voting rights.
2. A director who is unable to attend a board of directors meeting for unavoidable reasons may vote in writing or by electromagnetic means on matters notified in advance.
3. A director who has voted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to have attended the board of directors meeting for the purposes of Article 36, paragraph 2, and Article 38, paragraph 1, item 2.
4. A director who has a special interest in a resolution of the board of directors may not participate in the voting on the matter.
(Minutes)
Article 38: Minutes of the proceedings of the board of directors shall be prepared, stating the following matters:
(1) Date and place
(2) Total number of directors, number of attendees, and names of attendees (in the case of voters by written or electromagnetic record, this shall be noted)
(3) Matters discussed
(4) Summary of the proceedings and results of the resolutions
(5) Matters concerning the election of the person(s) who signed the minutes
2. The minutes shall be signed or signed and sealed by the chairperson and two or more persons designated at the meeting to sign the minutes.
Chapter 7: Assets and Accounting
(Composition of Assets)
Article 39: The assets of this corporation shall consist of the following items:
(1) Assets listed in the inventory of assets at the time of establishment
(2) Admission fees and dues
(3) Donations
(4) Income from assets
(5) Income from business
(6) Other income
(Management of Assets)
Article 40: The assets of this corporation shall be managed by the president, and the method of management shall be separately determined by the president, subject to the resolution of the general meeting.
(Accounting Principles)
Article 41: The accounting of this corporation shall be conducted in accordance with the principles set forth in each item of Article 27 of the Act.
(Business Plan and Budget)
Article 42: The business plan of this corporation and the budget accompanying it shall be prepared by the president and approved by the general meeting.
(Provisional Budget)
Article 43:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding article, if the budget is not established for unavoidable reasons, the president may, with the approval of the board of directors, prepare revenues and expenditures in accordance with the budget of the preceding fiscal year until the date of establishment of the budget.
2. The revenues and expenditures set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be the revenues and expenditures of the newly established budget.
(Additional and Revised Budget)
Article 44: If unavoidable circumstances arise after the budget has been approved, the existing budget may be supplemented or revised with the approval of the general meeting.
(Business Report and Financial Statements)
Article 45:
1. The business report, statement of activities, balance sheet, inventory of property, and other financial statements of this corporation shall be prepared by the president promptly after the end of each fiscal year, audited by the auditors, and approved by the general meeting.
2. If there is a surplus in the settlement of accounts, it shall be carried over to the next fiscal year.
(Fiscal Year) Article 46: The fiscal year of this corporation shall commence on April 1 of each year and end on March 31 of the following year.
(Emergency Measures) Article 47: In addition to those specified in the budget, any borrowing of funds or assumption of other new obligations, or waiver of rights, shall be subject to the resolution of the general meeting.
Chapter 8: Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, Dissolution, and Merger
(Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation)
Article 48: Any amendment to the articles of incorporation of this corporation shall be subject to a resolution adopted by a majority of three-fourths or more of the regular members present at the general meeting, and if any of the matters prescribed in Article 25, Paragraph 3 of the Act are to be amended, the approval of the competent authorities shall be obtained.
(Dissolution)
Article 49: This corporation shall be dissolved for any of the following reasons:
(1) Resolution of the general meeting
(2) Inability to successfully carry out the specified non-profit activities for which it was established
(3) Absence of regular members
(4) Merger
(5) Commencement of bankruptcy proceedings
(6) Revocation of the certification of establishment by the competent authorities
2. In the event of dissolution of this corporation for the reason set forth in item (1) of the preceding paragraph, the consent of three-fourths or more of the total number of regular members shall be obtained.
3. In the event of dissolution for the reason set forth in item (2) of paragraph (1), the approval of the competent authorities shall be obtained.
(Devolution of Residual Assets)
Article 50: In the event of dissolution of this corporation (excluding dissolution due to merger or commencement of bankruptcy proceedings), any remaining assets shall be transferred to the city of Nagoya,which is among the persons listed in Article 11, Paragraph 3 of the Act.
(Merger)
Article 51: In the event that this corporation intends to merge, a resolution shall be passed at a general meeting by a majority of three-fourths or more of the total number of regular members, and the approval of the competent authorities shall be obtained.
Chapter 9: Method of Public Notice
(Method of Public Notice)
Article 52: Public notices of this corporation shall be posted on the bulletin board of this corporation and published in the Official Gazette. However, the publication of the balance sheet prescribed in Article 28-2, paragraph 1 of the Act shall be made by posting it on the Cabinet Office’s NPO Corporation Portal Site (Corporation Input Information section).
Chapter 10: Miscellaneous Provisions
(Bylaws)
Article 53: The bylaws necessary for the enforcement of these articles of incorporation shall be established by the president, subject to the resolution of the board of directors.
Supplementary Provisions
1. These articles of incorporation shall come into effect on the date of establishment of this corporation.
2. The initial officers of this corporation shall be the following persons:
President: Norihiro Sugimoto
Vice President:Tatsuhiro Uchida
Vice President: Akira Kawakami
Auditor: Tetsuya Sano
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 16, Paragraph 1, the term of office of the initial officers of this corporation shall be from the date of establishment until June 30, 2025.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 42, the initial business plan and budget of this corporation shall be as determined by the inaugural general meeting.
4. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 46, the initial fiscal year of this corporation shall be from the date of establishment until March 31, 2025.
5. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8, the initial admission fees and dues of this corporation shall be as follows:
(1) Regular members: Admission fee 0 yen, annual dues 0 yen
(2) Supporting members: Admission fee 0 yen, annual dues 0 yen