The training program in seismology and earthquake engineering was launched in the University of Tokyo voluntarily in 1960. After the discussion of Japanese ministries, the Building Research Institute, one of the national institutes of the Ministry of Construction in those days, has started it officially in its new affiliated institute, International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering in 1962.
IISEE offers the training program in seismology, earthquake engineering, and tsunami disaster mitigation to the participants from developing countries prone to earthquakes to reduce earthquake and tsunami disaster hazards.
IISEE has four training courses: 1) One-year course in seismology, earthquake engineering, and tsunami disaster mitigation, 2) Seminar course such as Latin American Earthquake Engineering course, 3) Global Seismological Observation course, and 4) Individual course.
As of March 31 2015, 1,664 participants from 99 countries have completed the training program.