International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ)

The International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) was founded on the 17th May 1984 and presently has its office address at the 6th Floor Nishishinbashi Excel Bldg., 20-10, Nishishinbashi 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003 JAPAN.

The policy of the association is to establish fair and effective crewing systems, as well as to assist in strengthening the international competitiveness of its members, thereby contributing to the development of the Japanese maritime industry

The association¡¯s main purpose for organizing is:

1. Provide healthy, competent and honest Japanese, as well as foreign, crewmembers for Japanese ship owners.
2. Improve the working environment and living conditions for all crewmembers.
3. Improve on-board safety for the benefit of Japanese shipowners.
4. Take into account the local culture and welfare system and closely cooperate with agencies in every supply country at the time of setting terms and conditions.
5. Closely liaise with relevant authorities, trade unions and other relevant organizations in order to preserve/disseminate traditional and invaluable maritime techniques maintained by Japanese seafarers

IMMAJ main activities include:

1. 1. Participate in the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) as a member of the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) and negotiate with the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) for terms and conditions to be applied for foreign seafarers
2. 2. Hold discussions with the All Japan Seamen's Union every six months about issues of an international dimension related to the employment of seafarers, including activities by the union, the situation on the owners' side, the employment of Japanese seafarers, etc.
3. Improve on-board safety for the benefit of Japanese shipowners.
4. 3. Hold a negotiation committee (IBF Local Negotiation Committee) with the All Japan Seamen's Union and negotiate for a collective bargaining agreement for foreign seafarers, including IBF-JSU IMMAJ CA and ITF-JSU/AMOSUP IMMAJ CBA
5. Closely liaise with relevant authorities, trade unions and other relevant organizations in order to preserve/disseminate traditional and invaluable maritime techniques maintained by Japanese seafarers

As of 1st July 2008 the IMMAJ membership count stands at 95 companies comprised of crewing agencies, ship management companies and shipowners. The overall vessel count covered by the association is at 1,968 vessels with 40,896 seafarers as of the said date.