Overview
The Japan Junior Mathematical Olympiad (JJMO) is the national maths contest for junior high school students and younger, run by the Mathematical Olympiad Foundation of Japan. Its best performers can reach the camp that selects Japan's team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Who can enter
Middle school students and below. To reach the representative selection camp, a student must be among the top 5 JJMO award winners, or be one of roughly 20 JMO award winners in the second year of high school or below.
Levels or stages
Preliminary round
Twelve answer-only problems worth 1 point each, taken online over 3 hours, starting at 1:00 pm. It is held in November, normally on the third Sunday; in 2026 the date is 15 November.
Main round
Five proof-writing problems in 4 hours, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on 11 February (Foundation Day), at venues in major cities.
Results and awards
Certificates, medals and extra prizes go to about ten top performers at the awards ceremony in March.
After the competition
The representative selection camp is in late March, and six students are chosen to represent Japan at the IMO.
Preparation tips
Practise both short-answer problems for the preliminary and written proofs for the main round, using the past papers on the Foundation's site.
Can a junior high student also take the JMO?
Yes. Junior high and primary school students may enter either the JJMO or the JMO.