I would like to extend greetings to all and announce that Ihave assumed the position of JBA chairman. This positionwas formerly held by my esteemed colleague, Dr. TeruhikoBeppu, who served as JBA’s fifth chairman.
JBA’s roots can be traced back 65 years to the establishmentof JBA’s predecessor organization: the Japanese Associationof Industrial Fermentation (JAIF). In February 1987, JAIFand its Bioindustry Development Center (BIDEC) merged tocreate the Japan Bioindustry Association. JBA marked its20-year anniversary in February of this year.
I understand that the role of JBA chairman carries with itgreat responsibility as this organization has made significantcontributions to the development of Japan’s bioindustries inthe past. Although we come from different backgrounds, Ipledge to do my utmost to try and fill the shoes of myaccomplished predecessors, and I humbly ask for your coop-eration, support, and guidance as we move forward.
JBA’s purpose is to support national policymaking effortsand to provide to the nation’s bioindustries necessary assis-tance that extends beyond the bounds of academia, industry,and government. This assistance is provided through R & D projects, investigative research, and various forums.Some specific examples of recent JBA activities are as fol-lows
1) In the role of facilitator, JBA has helped to promote majornational research projects that include the development ofa genetic resource library, development of chemicalprocesses that use living organisms, and the developmentof environmental biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals.
2) JBA has conducted investigative research necessary forbiotechnology policymaking efforts.
3) The JBA Research Institute was established in September1997 in order to contribute to Convention on BiologicalDiversity (CBD) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) activities, to supportNational Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE)Bioresource Center activities, and to strengthen coopera-tive ties with nations in Southeast Asia and Oceania inregards to the utilization of biological resources.
4) JBA has organized the Green Biotechnology StrategyForum regularly since 1999. This event is intended tohelp transform today’s society into one that prioritizesrecycling of resources and environmental harmony inorder to provide for both a sustainable economy and nat-ural environment.
5) The Japan Association of Bioindustries Executives(JABEX) was established in 1999 with JBA as its secre-tariat. JBA and JABEX work together to provide policyrecommendations to the government. Currently, the twoorganizations are particularly involved in coordinatingrecommendations geared toward the promotion of clinicaltrial and research activities.
6) JBA creates rules pertaining to bioethics and screensbusinesses that handle personal genetic information.
7) Since 1986, JBA has organized Bio Japan ? a comprehen-sive biotechnology event held each year that featuresexhibits, symposiums, and business networking meetings,thus providing a multifaceted approach to finding ways inwhich to transform bioscience into “biobusiness.” Lastyear’s event was held in Osaka and attracted over 20,000attendees. This year’s Bio Japan will be held at thePacifico Yokohama Convention Center in September.
8) JBA also sponsors bioventure support activities and helpsto promote national understanding of biotechnology.
The Innovation 25 Strategy Council’s interim report, whichwas recently released by the Prime Minister’s CabinetOffice, stresses the importance of the role of science andtechnology. Looking 20 years into the future, I believe thatbiotechnology will play an even greater role in providingsolutions to problems concerning food, energy, health, andthe environment. The world’s energy demand is expected toincrease 50% by 2030 due to economic development inAsia, which threatens to create undue stress on grain sup-plies as grains will serve both as an energy and food source.In Japan, which depends on imports for 60% of its food sup-ply, the development of biotechnology will certainly make asignificant contribution to the international food supply andto national security.
Under these conditions, JBA will continue to work hard tolive up to the wishes of the national population and fulfillthe expectations of its members by leveraging its academic-industrial-governmental partnerships, regional and interna-tional networks, coordination abilities, and the varied poten-tial of its corporate members.I sincerely look forward to working with you all in the futureto achieve our goals.

Dr. Hiroshi Harada
Chairman, Japan Bioindustry Association (JBA)