This paper describes the mission of chemical engineering in Japan and our increasing role in global issues of a rapidly changing world. Attention is devoted to the philosophy of chemical engineering for meeting the needs of the 21st century world, and to the activities and plans of the Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) including its cooperative contributions to government policy on science and technology, New initiatives in research and education being promoted by the Japan Chemical Innovation Institute (JCII) and the Japan Accreditation Board for Engineering Education (JABEE), respectively, are also discussed.