| Date |
Activities |
| Jan. 31
| Petition Regarding the Enactment of the Hokkaido
Ordinance Restricting the Cultivation of Genetically Modified Crops
A petition was submitted to the Governor of Hokkaido concerning
the Draft Ordinance for the Prevention of Hybridization Resulting from the Cultivation
of Genetically Modified Crops in Hokkaido, which restricts the cultivation of
such crops in open systems and includes prison sentences for those violating the
ordinance. JABEX strongly opposes the enactment of this ordinance restricting
the cultivation of crops that the national government has already deemed to be
safe. |
| Feb. 22 | Exchange
of Opinions with Yasufumi Tanahashi, Minister for Science and Technology Policy
and Minister in Charge of the Food Safety Committee
Five JABEX members
(Utada, Aoki, Kitasato, Watanabe and Hirata) exchanged opinions with Mr. Tanahashi
at a luncheon meeting, conducting informal discussions regarding the Biotechnology
Strategy Council, the 3rd Science and Technology Basic Plan and the promotion
of public understanding. |
| Mar.
03 | 10th JABEX General Meeting
Two proposals
(Proposals for Promoting Public Understanding of Biotechnology and Proposals Aimed
at the Formulation of the 3rd Science and Technology Basic Plan) were examined.
|
| Mar. 15 | 7th
Biotechnology Strategy Council
Utada submitted two proposals on behalf
of JABEX: Proposals for Promoting Public Understanding of Biotechnology and Proposals
Aimed at the Formulation of the 3rd Science and Technology Basic Plan. |
| Mar.28 | 5th
Life Science Summit
JABEX became the secretariat. More than 400 of executives
of bioindustries, academia, Government discussed on the progress of the Biotechnology
Strategy Guidelines and the future direction of Post-Genomic biotechnology strategy.
|
| Aug.9 | Petitions
Concerning the Cultivation of Genetically Modified Crops to Hokkaido and Niigata
Prefecture
A petition was submitted to the Governor of Hokkaido concerning
cultivation condition of GM crops discussed in Hokkaido. A petition was also submitted
to the Governor of Niigata Prefecture for promoting test cultivation of GM rice.
|
| Aug.24 | Written
Opinion Concerning Restriction by Niigata Prefecture on the Cultivation of Genetically
Modified Crops
A written opinion concerning Draft Ordinance on Food Safety,
an ordinance prevents cross-pollination and mixing of GM crops, was submitted.
JABEX opposed the excess restriction for such prevention. |
| Sep.7-9 | BioJapan
2005 World Business Forum (Co-organizer)
BioJapan 2005 focusing on application
of biotech in business took place at Pacifico Yokohama. with approximately 50
seminar sessions, and 279 booth exhibits by 273 companies and governmental bodies
from 17 countries/regions attracting more than 20,000 visitors. |
| Nov.14 | Written
Opinion Concerning Tokyo's Restriction on the Cultivation of Genetically Modified
Crops
A written opinion concerning Draft Guideline on the Cultivation
of Genetically Modified Crops in Tokyo was submitted. JABEX opposed the excess
restriction on GM crops cultivation. |
| Dec.19 | Interview
with Iwao Matsuda, Minister for Science and Technology Policy and Minister in
Charge of the Food Safety Committee
Utada, Aoki and Kitasato visited
Mr. Matsuda and made requests about procedures regarding biotechnology strategy,
the 3rd Science and Technology Basic Plan and public understanding. |
| Dec.21 | 33rd
General Meeting of the Diet Members' Promotion Alliance for Life Science
Utada,
and Hirata expressed their opinions regarding the strengthening of industry in
relation to the biotechnology-related budget for fiscal 2006. |