History of APA

1958-1970
1958	General meeting held for the foundation of the Japan Advertising Photographers’ Association.
	June 27 Shigemine Kanamaru installed as the first APA President.
1959	The first collaborative exhibition held by the APA and Copy Toka Kai: “Advertising photographs based on catchphrases.”
1960	The second collaborative exhibition held by the APA and Copy Toka Kai: “The Creation of Product Images – An Exhibition of Copy and Advertising Photos.”
1961	The first APA Exhibition: “Advertising Photos as Basic Materials”
1962	The second APA Exhibition: “Showing Individuality: Advertising Photos as Basic Materials”
1963	The third APA Exhibition: “Photos as Art in Advertising and Editorials.”
1964	The fourth APA Exhibition: “Awareness as Artist.”
1965	The fifth APA Exhibition: “Depiction of Subjects by Group Production.”
	Founding of the “All-Japan Union of Professional Photographers.”
	First issue of “APA NEWS.”
	“Exhibition of the Tokyo Art Directors Club: Design Show ’65 ” co-sponsored by the APA.
1966	The sixth APA Exhibition: “Photo Communication between Enterprises and Consumers.”
	“The 16th Japan Advertising Artists Club Exhibition” sponsored by the APA.
	The first joint workshop held with the All-Japan Union of Professional Photographers.
	“National Conference on Photographic Copyrights for Individual Photographers” organized by the APA.
1967	The seventh APA Exhibition: “Advertising Photographs Depicting Life in the Present.”
1968	The eighth APA Exhibition: “Reaffirming Our Professional Pride.”
	Publication of the 1968 APA HANDBOOK.
1969	The ninth APA Exhibition: “The Beauty of Japan.”
	Admitted to the Professional Photographers of America, Inc. (PPA).
	Joined the National Insurance Union for Literature and Art.
	Insurance system adopted for photographers.
1970	The tenth APA Exhibition: “Hello Columbus.”

1971-1980
1971	The eleventh APA Exhibition: “Grand Nude Photo Exhibition.”
	Shotaro Akiyama installed as the second President on June 15. Shigemine Kanamaru named Honorary President.
1972	The twelfth APA Exhibition: “Scandal.”
	Honorary President Shigemine Kanamaru awarded The Order of the Sacred Treasure (Third Class) – Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
	APA and JPS (Japan Professional Photographers Society) hold a joint technical workshop on the dual themes of “The Fashion Photography Scene in New York and Techniques of Color Retouching.”
1973	The 13th APA Exhibition: “Love.”
1974	The 14th APA Exhibition: “Japanese People.”
	A reception held for West German photographers visiting Japan.
	The JPS and Genkosha Company co-sponsor a technical workshop on “Strobe Shows by Japanese and Foreign Professionals.”
1975	The 15th APA Exhibition: “(Confessional) WOMAN AND FASHION.”
	Introduction of the Supporting Membership System.
1976	The 16th APA Exhibition: “Color.”
1977	A preparatory committee formed for the First International Photo Exhibition to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the APA (to be held in 1978).
1978	“International Conference of Worldwide Photographers’ Organizations” held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the APA. Conference participants publish a joint declaration that “Photographs will serve as a go-between for the world.”
	The 17th APA Exhibition: “APA International Photo Exhibition ’78 – Live=IKIRU”
	The APS opens an international photo seminar.
1979	Masaya Nakamura installed as the third President on May 31. Shotaro Akiyama named Honorary President.
	The Photographic Society of Japan (PSJ) conferred its annual awards for fiscal 1979 on two events held in the previous year: the ’78 APA International Photo Exhibition “Live” and the International Conference of Worldwide Photographers’ Organizations.
	The 18th APA Exhibition: “My Creativity.”
1980	The 18th APA Exhibition held in Seoul, Korea (sponsored by the Photographers Association of Korea).

1981-1990
1981	The APA holds a workshop the “EPR488.”
1982	The 19th APA Exhibition: “Japan Advertising Photo Exhibition ’82 – The Depth of Description without Words.”
	Commemorative 100th issue of the APA NEWS.
	“Yearbook – Advertising Photos in Japan ’82” (edited by the APA).
	The 19th APA Exhibition held in Seoul, Korea (“The Second Exhibition of Works from the APA”).
	The 19th APA Exhibition held in New York.
1983	The 19th APA Exhibition held in Taiwan.
	APA photo seminars held in various venues and schools throughout the country.
1984	The 20th APA Exhibition: “Japan Advertising Photo Exhibition ’84 – Photographs Run Faster than Words.”
	“Yearbook – Advertising Photos in Japan ’84” (edited by the APA).
	The 20th APA Exhibition held in Soul, Korea.
	Delegates of the APA attend a preparatory committee for the International Photograph Year at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
1985	The APA issues a Japanese version of Professional Business Practices in Photography – a publication from the ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers).
1986	The 21st APA Exhibition: “Japan Advertising Photo Exhibition ’86 – The 3°C Heat Rise around Film.”
	“Yearbook-Advertising Photos in Japan ’86” (edited by APA).
	“Original Prints for Charity” exhibited at seven photo galleries in Tokyo (in conjunction with the APA Exhibition).
	Honorary President Shotaro Akiyama conferred the Medal with a Purple Ribbon (for contributions to education and culture).
	APA Taisho Kai Group Photo Exhibition: “(I) Witnessed this and got a shot!”
1987	The 21st APA Exhibition held in Los Angeles.
	The 21st APA Exhibition held in New York.
	Start of the 22nd APA Exhibition campaign: “APA & KODAK Photo Seminar.”
1988	Celebration to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the APA.
	The 22nd APA Exhibition, “Photography Mandala,” held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the founding of APA.
	“Yearbook – Advertising Photos in Japan ’88” (edited by the APA).
	Publication of a collection of portfolios entitled “Photography Mandala.”
	The 22nd APA Exhibition held in Beijing.
1989	A party from the Sweden Society of Photography visit Japan and enjoy a friendly talk with APA members.
	APA Grand World Photo Exhibition, “We, terrestrial life forms,” held at the World Design Expo.
	Exhibition featuring “Images of the Japanese in 1989.”
	Incorporation of the “Japan Advertising Photographers’ Association.”
1990	Celebration held to commemorate the incorporation of the Japan Advertising Photographers’ Association (at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo).
	The 23rd APA Exhibition, “The Japan Advertising Photo Exhibition ’90,” features exhibits to be procured by the Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art.
	“Yearbook – Advertising Photos in Japan ’90” (edited by the APA).
	The 23rd APA Exhibition and “Art Exhibition” combined in a joint exhibition.
	The APA holds its first “Fresh and Spirited Newcomers Exhibition.”

1991-2001
1991	The Second APA Photo History Exhibition: “Creative Advertisers in the Showa Period.”
	APA Biennial Demonstration Exhibition.
	Exhibition entitled “Photographs for the Coming 21st Century.”
	The APA holds its second technical workshop, “Dye Transfer Printing and High-Tech Photographic Images.”
1992	The 24th APA Exhibition Biennial ’92: “I shoot what I want, when I want.”
	“Yearbook-Advertising Photos in Japan ’92” (edited by the APA).
	Publication of a collection of portfolios, “Photography Mandala II.”
	APA Budding Photographers Exhibition ’92.
	APA photo seminars held in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai and Sapporo.
	Osamu Hayasaki installed as the fourth President on June 14. Masaya Nakamura named advisor.
1993	APA holds a panel discussion: “What are the aims of photography?”
	’93 APA Budding Photographers Exhibition.
1994	The 25th APA Exhibition “Japan Photo Biennial ’94.”
	New Members Exhibition ’94.
	In May 29, Masaaki Nishinomiya installed as the fifth President.
1995	Copyright seminars held in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai and Sapporo.
	New Members Exhibition ’95.
1996	Publication of a collection of portfolios, “Photography Mandala III.”
	New Members Exhibition ’96.
	Copyright seminars (held in Takamatsu and Asahikawa).
	Opening of APA Room Kansai.
1997	“Yearbook-Advertising Photos in Japan ’98” (edited by the APA).
	The exhibition entitled “Children in Higashikawa” held in the town of Higashikawa in Hokkaido.
1998	The 26th APA exhibition, “APA Adventure ’98,” opened to the public.
	Nori Takamura installed as the sixth President on June 6.
	First issue of the information magazine “Shun (Moment)” (to be published quarterly)
	New Members Exhibition ’98.
1999	Copyright consulting service commences (to be provided every month).
	New Members Exhibition ’99.
	The 27th APA exhibition, “APA ’99 Messages,” opened to the public.
	“Yearbook-Advertising Photos in Japan 2000” (edited by the APA).
	(December 4) the APA publishes a booklet commemorating the 10th anniversary of the incorporation of the association (published on December 4).
2000	(January 21) Celebration to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the incorporation of the association (40th anniversary of the founding of the original organization).
	Regular members plan and hold a commemorative exhibition entitled “Planet Earth and Human: YES. NO.” (initially held at the Tokyo Museum of Photography, and later in the Tohoku, Kyushu, Kansai and Hokkaido districts, with picture books on sale).
	The 28th APA exhibition, “APA-2000,” opened to the public.
	New Members Exhibition 2000.
	International Digital Photo Symposium held in Tokyo and Osaka (textbooks published)
2001	The 29th APA exhibition, “APA-01,” opened to the public and held in the attendance of regular members (themes: Approaches to Public Advertisements and Approaches to Enterprises).
	“Planet Earth and Human: YES. NO.”, the exhibition planned by regular members, held at the venue of the “Japan-Korea Festival” in Seoul, Korea.
	APA website goes online.
	The late Masaya Nakamura, ex-President and advisor, posthumously awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Fourth Class) – Gold Rays with the Rosette of the Senior Grade of the Sixth Court Rank
	“Yearbook-Advertising Photos in Japan 2002” (edited by the APA)
	“Planet Earth and Human: YES. NO.”, the exhibition planned by regular members, held at the Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
	New Members Exhibition 2001.