The Board of Directors,the highest decision-making body,is composed of representatives from both industry and academia. Under the leadership of this Board, JBA has the functions, i.e.

• Industrial Liaison
• Communication between Academia and Industry
• Research & Other activities which are carried out by committees and working groups
• JBA Research Institute.

Through active participation by its members, JBA carries out the following activities to promote bioscience, biotechnology and bioindustry :

Science and Technology

• Promotion of communication on science and technology between industry and academia
• Scientific seminars on
  • Fermentation and metabolism
  • Bioconversion of new resources
  • Bioengineering
  • Alcohol Biomass
• Protection of intellectual property rights
• Exploration of new R&D project themes
• Standardization
• Contract research projects with the Government

JBA Research Institute

• Survey and research on conservation and sustainable use of biological resources to address various issues relating to access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing under the convention or biological diversity.
• Scientific seminars on
• It also coordinates a number of national R & D projects.

International Exchanges and Cooperation

• Promotion of international exchanges of views on bioscience, biotechnology and the bioindustry, especially through the International Bioindustry Forum (IBF) and other networks
• Organization of international biotechnology symposia and trade fairs
• Group training course on bioindustries for developing countries
• Research cooperation projects with developing countries
• Cooperation with the OECD in biotechnology and related areas

Socio-Industrial Harmonization

• Communication with the public through training courses on bioscience and bioindustry
• Human resources development
• Promotion of regional development in biotechnology through communication networks

Safety and the Environment

• Investigation on environmental safety measures
• Contract research with the Government on environmental and safety issues in biotechnology

Collection and Dissemination of Information

• Collection of information from domestic and overseas sources relating to biotechnology and dissemination to JBA members
• Publication of a monthly journal "Bioscience & Industry" and a quarterly newsletter "Japan Bioindustry Letters" (in English) as well as other reports in the Japanese language
• Lectures and seminars to promote communication and the exchange of information with members and non-members.

Green Biotechnology Strategy Forum:

This is the promote "sustainable development of industry through biotechnology". Senior executives, managers and experts from more than 30 major companies have joined the forum to discuss strategy and R&D needs for sustainable development of industry.

Biotechnology Industrialization Promotion Forum (BIP forum):

This is to facilitate development of innovative start-up companies in biotechnology. BIP forum organizes symposium for venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, scientists, technology licensing organization (TLOs), etc, to promote enterprising sprit.

The climatic conditions (e.g. humid and temperate) in Japan nurtured traditional industry using microorganisms, e.g. brewing and fermentation industry. JBA's predecessor organization, Japanese Association of Industrial Fermentation (GAF) was formed in 1942. GAF functioned as a forum for exchanges between researchers in academia and technologists from industry.
In 1983, in response to rapid development in bioscience and associated fields with the advent of new technology, such as r-DNA and cell fusion, the JAIF created the"Bioindustry Development Center (BIDEC) " to promote the development and commercialization of new product and process.
JAIF and BIDEC were merged into one organization in 1987 and its English name was changed from BIDEC to JBA in 1990.

BA's Membership is open to all qualified organizations and individuals with interest in bioscience, biotechnology and its commercialization.
The special characteristics of JBA are reflected in its organization with about 300 companies from many industrial sectors participating. In addition, about 100 public organizations and 1300 individuals from universities, making JBA a unique forum for exchanges related to bioscience and industry.

To join JBA, please contact Dr. S. Sumida, Managing Director .