The two bodies will offer reciprocal discounted member rates of 10% for their respective organisations. Additionally, members of both will be exempt from joining the other, while JMRA official members can become MRS company partners.

The agreement is the MRS’ first partnership with a research association based in Asia, and it will last for three years initially, with activities reviewed annually.

Shunichi Uchida, chairman, JMRA, said: "For many years we have maintained contact with the global market by engaging with international market research organisations.  This has become even more important as internationalisation has increased – and the pandemic has added to the need for us to be aware of global market conditions, trends and technical information.

"This partnership with MRS will support JMRA and its member companies more than ever to the global marketplace and provide new guidance for overcoming the challenges in this environment."

Jane Frost, chief executive, MRS, added: "In this increasingly challenging global environment, it is vitally important that we look to create closer international ties. This is especially the case for a sector such as research, which is playing a key role in the global economic recovery from the pandemic and in directing efforts for creating a fairer, greener, more inclusive world."

The alliance follows on from the MRS’ tripartite agreement with research organisations the Insights Association in the US and the Research Society in Australia.

The agreement has led to joint projects including a piece of work on the language of how research is presented to corporate partners, the findings of which are due to be published imminently.