JIS B 1012 (Japanese Industrial Standard Cross)
Direct Answer
JIS B 1012 is a Japanese Industrial Standard cruciform screw drive commonly found on Japanese motorcycles (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki), cameras, and consumer electronics. Visually similar to Phillips, it features a shallower center pit and parallel 90-degree cross-wings engineered not to cam out, which easily strip when turned with standard Phillips screwdrivers.
Source: Japanese Standards Association (JSA) JIS B 1012 / DIN 5260-JIS
Specs
| Standard Specification | JIS B 1012 (Cruciform cross-recessed screws) |
| Visual Identification | A single small raised circular dimple or dot stamped into the head face |
| Flank Geometry | Parallel cross walls with a flat, shallow bottom recess (no cam-out slope) |
| Cam-Out Tendency | Zero (Engineered to stay fully seated under high torque) |
| Common Sizing Tiers | JIS #000, JIS #00, JIS #0, JIS #1, JIS #2, JIS #3 |
| Primary Applications | Japanese motorcycles (engine cases, carburetors), Shimano bicycle components, Nikon/Canon cameras |
The Devastating Phillips vs JIS Mismatch
To the naked eye, a JIS screw head appears identical to a Phillips screw. However:
- Phillips Bit in JIS Screw: A standard Phillips screwdriver has a blunt, steep tip that bottom-outs on the shallow floor of a JIS recess before the wings can engage the sidewalls. When turned with force, the Phillips bit cams out and destroys the soft aluminum or steel JIS screw head.
- JIS Driver in Phillips Screw: A JIS screwdriver bit fits cleanly into standard Phillips screws without slipping because its sharper tip seats deeply.
Modern 'Vessel' DIN ISO Consolidation
In 2008, Japanese toolmakers (such as Vessel) introduced hybrid cross-recess standards (DIN 5260-JIS / 'JCIS') that safely drive both JIS and Phillips screws with zero cam-out.