Japan: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

This report provides the latest status of consumption, regulation, public perception, research, development, production, and use of agricultural biotechnology in Japan. Japan uses a science-based process for evaluating and granting approval for import and production of genetically engineered products. Japan is a major importer and consumer of crops derived from biotechnology, but domestic production remains extremely limited. Japanese regulators have established handling procedures for genome edited food and agricultural products. Two gene edited products developed by Japanese companies have completed the necessary consultation and notification processes and were cleared for production and distribution in the domestic market without undergoing the food safety review for genetically engineered products.