| Date |
Activities |
| Jan. 06-19 | Meetings
of the Working Groups on the Assessment of the Biotechnology Strategy Guidelines
In preparation for 6th Biotechnology Strategy Council, working groups
consisting of representatives of JABEX member companies evaluated the progress
of the Biotechnology Strategy Guidelines and prepared Charts Showing Progress
on and Requests Concerning the 200 Detailed Action Plans. |
| Jan.
20 | 6th Biotechnology Strategy Council
The JABEX members, including
Utada (JABEX Chairman), Oishi (Kazusa DNA Research Institute Director), Hirata
(Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Chairman and CEO), and Fujiyama (Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Chairman),
participated in the meeting and offered their opinions on the progress of the
guidelines. |
| Feb. 13 | Written
Opinion Concerning Hokkaido's Restrictions on the Cultivation of Genetically Modified
(GM) Crops
A written opinion concerning the Guideline, which impose an
outright ban on the cultivation of GM crops in open systems, was submitted to
the Governor of Hokkaido. |
| Mar. 03 | Round-Table
Meeting with Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister for Science and Technology Policy
At
a lunch with Mr. Motegi, seven JABEX members, including Utada and the Vice-Chairmen,
held informal discussions about procedures regarding to biotechnology strategy,
public understanding and research policy. |
| Mar.
15 | Keynote Address at the 2nd Asian Regional Workshop
At this
workshop organized by NITE, Utada delivered the keynote address, in which he spoke
of the importance of collaboration among the countries of Asia. |
| Jun. 04 | 9th JABEX General Meeting
Explanation of
the progress of the Biotechnology Strategy Guidelines and the evaluation of this
progress by JABEX. Proposals for promoting public understanding examined. |
| Jul. 20 | Written Opinion Concerning Restrictions
by Iwate and Shiga Prefectures on the Cultivation of GM Crops Written opinions
concerning two Guidelines, which impose an outright ban on the cultivation of
such crops in open systems, were submitted to the governors of both prefectures.
|
| Jul. 26 | Written Opinion Concerning Hokkaido's
Restrictions on the Cultivation of GM Crops
A written opinion concerning
the Draft Ordinance on Food Safety and Security, an ordinance restricting the
cultivation of GM crops in open systems, and the Investigative Commission on the
Conditions for Experimental Cultivation of GM Crops, which limits the experimental
cultivation of GM crops for research purposes, was submitted to the Governor of
Hokkaido. |
| Aug. 30 |
31st General Meeting of
the Diet Members' Promotion Alliance for Life Science
Utada, Kitasato and Hirata
expressed their opinions regarding health and preventative medicine, the environment,
public understanding and the cultivation of human resources. |
| Sep.
28 - 30 | BioJapan 2004 (Co-organizer)
Symposiums, business partnering
sessions, an exhibition and citizen's programs took place as part of this event
aiming at promoting biotechnology development and industrialization. |
| Sep.
- Nov. | Reflection of JABEX Opinions in Nippon Keidanren Proposals Regarding
the 3rd Science and Technology Basic Plan
On November 16, the Nippon Keidanren
published proposals from the world of industry in a document entitled Hopes
for the 3rd Science and Technology Basic Plan: Towards the Strengthening of Industrial
Competitiveness Based on Science and Technology. The biotechnology sector's
opinions were submitted by JABEX to the Nippon Keidanren's secretariat and biotechnology
subcommittee to be reflected in the document. |
| Nov. 24 | Interview
with Yasufumi Tanahashi, Minister for Science and Technology Policy and Minister
in Charge of the Food Safety Committee
Utada and Kitasato visited Mr.
Tanahashi and made requests about procedures regarding biotechnology strategy,
research policy and public understanding. |
| Dec. 01 | Interview
with Yoshinobu Shimamura, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Utada, Kitasato and Vice-Chairmen Watanabe visited Mr. Shimamura and made requests
about procedures regarding biotechnology strategy, public understanding and research
and development in the field of agriculture and plants. |
| Dec.
21 |
32nd General Meeting of the Diet Members' Promotion Alliance for Life Science
Utada, Kitasato and Aoki expressed their opinions regarding the strengthening
of industry and public understanding, and also requested that the next meeting
of the Biotechnology Strategy Council be held. |
| Dec. 24 | Written
Opinion Concerning Hokkaido's Restrictions on the Cultivation of GM Crops
A
written opinion concerning the Draft Ordinance on the Cultivation of GM Crops,
an ordinance restricting the cultivation of GM crops in open systems, was submitted
to the Governor of Hokkaido. |