Research on agricultural and food biotechnology coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan

Organization, planining and financing of biotechnological research in Japan has been discussed. Major works in this area are earried on by the National Research Institutes whichactivity is coordinated by the Ministry of Agrieulture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). The majorsubjeets eurrently realized by the National Research Institutes were listed out. The most important direetions of biotechnologieal research were also deseribed. The following activities are recognized as the most important for the future of the japanese agriculture and food industry. 1.Improvement of crop plants by cell and tissue eulture teehniques, cell fusion and DNA recombination. 2. Animal breeding and healthcare by embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, transfer ofcell nuclei, development of transgenetic animals, production of vaccines against bacterial andviral diseases of animals. 3. Development of aquaeultures and fish breeding including cultivationof triploid fish. 4. Application of „modern bioteehnology” in food production and food processingindustries (reeombinant DNA technology, enzymes, immobilized enzymes and eells).