In June 2026, the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) celebrated its centennial. In parallel, in September 2027, the first licensed amateur radio station in Japan will celebrate its centennial. JARL has decided to celebrate both anniversaries in a single sixteen-month celebration period, starting on June 1, 2026.
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History of amateur radio in Japan
Japonská amatérska rádiooperátorská komunita sa formovala v dvadsiatych rokoch minulého storočia, v čase, keď krátkovlnná Projects / Homebrew otvorila možnosti celoplanetárneho rádiového spojenia. Prvou licencovanou amatérskou stanicou v Japonsku sa v septembri 1927 stala krátkovlnná telegrafná a telefónna experimentálna stanica s volacím znakom JXAX. Táto stanica sa dodnes považuje za míľnik japonského amatérskeho rádia a jej sté výročie JARL oslavuje v roku 2027 ako súčasť predĺženého commemoration period.
The formation of the JARL
Japan Amateur Radio League bola založená 12. júna 1926 tridsiatimi siedmimi zakladajúcimi členmi. Bezprostredne po ustanovení odoslali do sveta správu, ktorá v anglickom preklade znie: „We have the honor of informing that we amateurs in Japan have organized today the Japanese Amateur Radio League. Please QST to all stations.“ It was the historic QST that brought Japanese radio amateurs into the international airwaves and joined the global community. Today, JARL is a general umbrella association whose goal is the healthy development of amateur radio and the advancement of radio science and culture in Japan and around the world.
Anniversary activities
JARL did not plan to celebrate the centenary alone — it invited amateur radio manufacturers, related organizations, and amateur radio operators from all over Japan to join the program. The anniversary program includes seven areas of activity: the introduction of a commemorative logo and message, the launch of a special website (100th.jarl.org), a ceremonial ceremony, the publication of a commemorative publication, the operation of commemorative stations, the issuance of commemorative diplomas and the organization of a commemorative QSO party.
V rámci prevádzky pamätných staníc JARL od apríla 2025 prevádzkoval špeciálnu stanicu 8K3EXPO na mieste výstaviska Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025. Prvé QSOs z tejto stanice uskutočnil prezident JARL Koji Morita (JA5SUD). V roku 2026 sa HAM Fair v Tokiu koná 29. a 30. augusta a je priamo prepojený s oslavami storočnice.
The anniversary motto is: "Because 'normal' is just boring." It expresses JARL's desire to share the magic of amateur radio with a new generation of operators — both those who are just entering the airwaves and those who want to rediscover it. JARL's goal is not just to look back on a hundred years, but to make this anniversary a new springboard for another century of amateur radio culture.
Conclusion
The JARL Centennial is an opportunity for radio amateurs from around the world to connect with the Japanese community on the bands. Special stations, commemorative diplomas, and QSO parties are open to all licensed operators. For current information on ongoing activities and diploma conditions, please visit the official anniversary website at 100th.jarl.org/en.