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Microcolumn separation techniques developing in Japan Capillary columns are considered to be the heart of gasch ro m at ographs (GC) as softwa re in computer sci-ences. Since M.J.E. Golay invented cap i l l a ry c o l u m n s, about 40 ye a rs have elap s e d. Especially in the decade from 1978, the performance of columns has remark-ably improved in terms of column materials as well as the quality of stationary phases. Various injection methods such as split/splitless, on-column and programmable temperature vaporizer as well as detectors have also been developed and improved to match the improved high column performances. Assisted also by the astonishing progress in microelectron-ics, the overall capabilities of GC have been dramatically enhanced to date. M at e rials used for sep a ration columns have histori c a l ly shifted from metals (mainly stainless steel) to glass and then to fused silica (FS). Metal columns are re c e n t ly spotlighte