1992　Rio de Janeiro World Environment Summit; adoption of “Agenda 21” for the purpose of protecting the global environment in the 21 st century. Specifically, chapter 13 regulates the “maintenance of fragile ecosystems: sustainable development in mountain regions.”

1996　at the Bishkek Global Mountain Summit held in Bishkek (Kyrgyz Republic) the idea was raised of an International Year of Mountains

1998　resolution by UN General Assembly to make 2002 an “International Year of Mountains”

2001　start of Japanese IYM National Committee (President = Junko Tabe)

2002　International Year of Mountains; here in Japan too there unfolds a series of activities with the cooperation of the government, regional public bodies, climbing groups, academic institutions & private organizations
ー2003
At the “Johannesburg World Environment Summit” that summer an inaugural resolution is passed for an “International Partnership” for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions. The UN Food & Agriculture Organization (otherwise known as the FAO, this was the main body for the IYM) proposes the undertaking of a small scale secretariat for the partnership.
In Autumn of that year a “Global Mountain Summit” is held in Bishkek. Japan's representative is Professor Watanabe (Hokkaido University). The “International Partnership” is ratified thanks to the Bishkek Mountain Platform

2003　April Summary Symposium for Sponsorship of Japanese IYM National Committee is held. From this point on it is proposed that Yama-Net-Japan is started as an organization to carry on the activities.

July Emoto Yoshinobu attends the IYM General Assembly held in Chamberi in France

October 1st YNJ Preparation Assembly is held

2004　January 2 nd YNJ Preparation Assembly is held
April (planned); publication of IYM Report by Japanese IYM National Committee Mountain literature “We are all mountain people”
April (planned); festive ceremony and a commemorative forum entitled “the people of Asia's mountains” held to mark the start of YMJ as well as publication of the above-mentioned information book.

(July 2003 Secretary General's report from the 58 th UN council submission)
The International Partnership for the Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas is defined as:-
“The significant culmination of the IMY, a partnership between individuals and organizations variously related to the sustainable growth of mountain areas which will evolve over 10 years after the IMY. It is an organization which will propel cooperative action on a regional, local or international level to confront chronic poverty in mountain areas and manage mountain ecosystems.”

By June 2003 32 countries, 15 international organizations and 25 cooperative organizations had joined the partnership (according to the aforementioned UN report)

“Despite the fact that Japan is a country of mountains we neglected the mountain ranges in the post-war decades, instead giving priority to development. Mountains bring us the water which is most precious for our lives. The IMY is an opportunity to look again at the familiar mountains and increase the number of citizens that love mountains. This is not just for our own sakes but can also be thought of as being indispensable for the purposes of protecting the environment for the lives of future generations. The IMY aims to encourage the spread of positive action in the mountains through various behaviour which considers the long-term future of all mountains from the everyday foothills to the Himalayas.

Carrying on the movement.
The Agenda 21 adopted at the Earth Environment summit in Rio gives all of us who love the mountains homework for the 21 st century; trying to solve the cooperation and teamwork of the people that love the worlds mountains promoting YMJ joining the international partnership.

• YNJ is a flexible network of various organizations and individuals who have an interest in the subject of preserving mountain environments and sustainable development as highlighted by the IMY
• anyone is free to join YNJ whether it be state departments, regional public groups or organizations (NPOs NGOs etc) that try to tackle the environmental problem in the mountains
• YNJ is a largely internet-based network
• YNJ is a place where all taking part can promote their own activities by freely exchanging information and discussion. We welcome visits from participants, providing a net-based “Swap Room” for a variety of fields
• YNJ will hold public symposiums and forums every year to closely knit cooperation and team work
• YNJ will actively spread word of activities going on within Japan to the International Partnership
• the YNJ operating office will consist of Shinshu Mountain Science Institute taking charge with several other contributing partners

publication of IYM Report mountain literature “We are all mountain people” festive ceremony and a commemorative forum entitled “the people of Asia's mountains” held to mark the start of YMJ as well as publication of book
　April 17 th 13:00-17:30
　Japan University Science & Literature Department 100 th Anniversary (Setagaya
　 Maximising potential of YNJ public site

• Chairman; Head of Secretariat (Shinshu University Institute of Mountain Sciences)
  Michiaki Takaishi
• Member; (Japan Mountaineering Club)
  Okura
• Member; (Japan Mountaineering Club)
  Yamagawa
• Member; (Hokkaido University)
  Watanabe
• Member; (Japan University)