Overview
The Japan Mathematical Olympiad (JMO) is the national contest used to select Japan's team for the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). It is run by the Mathematical Olympiad Foundation of Japan.
Who can enter
High school students and younger can take part. Junior high and primary students may enter either the JMO or the Junior Mathematical Olympiad (JJMO). The selection camp for the IMO team accepts JMO award winners who are in their second year of high school or below.
Levels or stages
Preliminary round
Twelve answer-only problems worth 1 point each, in 3 hours (1:00 pm to 4:00 pm), at venues across the prefectures. It is held in November, normally on the third Sunday; in 2026 the date is 15 November. The cut-off is set so that around 200 people reach A-rank and go to the main round; B-rank is the top half and C-rank the rest.
Main round
Five proof-writing problems in 4 hours (1:00 pm to 5:00 pm), held on 11 February (Foundation Day) in major cities. Only preliminary qualifiers may sit it.
Important dates
Applications run from 1 July to 10 September. The IMO representative camp is held in late March; in 2026 it ran 20 to 24 March.
Results and awards
Top performers receive trophies, medals and prizes, and the winner receives the Kawai Cup. About 20 medallists are honoured at an end-of-March ceremony.
After the competition
Six representatives for the IMO are chosen from the selection camp participants.
Preparation tips
The preliminary needs fast, accurate answers to short problems; the main round needs complete written proofs. Use the past papers published by the Foundation for both.
Is there a separate contest for younger students?
Yes. The Japan Junior Mathematical Olympiad (JJMO) is for junior high school students and below, and its top performers join the same selection camp.