gm rice watch center japan
about_us | report | NGO's_infomation | links | top

GM Rice in Japan (May 2001 GMR Watch)

GM Rice in Japan

(May 2001 GMR Watch)

Government, public corporations and multinational corporations are eagerly pursuing the development of biotech rice in Japan.

The development is pursued by multinationals such as Monsanto and Aventis, joint research efforts between multinationals and Japanese Universities or Agricultural Experiment Centers, as well as through individual and joint efforts of Japanese corporations and governmental research institutes.
Research focuses on the development of varieties with productive merit such as herbicide or disease resistant rice and varieties that appeal to the consumer such as iron fortified or low calorie rice.

The following steps must be taken to develop and bring to production biotech foods.

  1. The Science and Technology Agency must verify closed greenhouse experimental tests.
  2. After Step 1, the Science and Technology Agency must verify semi-closed greenhouse experimental tests.
  3. After Step 2 or after equivalent research done overseas, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) must verify test done in isolated fields.
  4. After Step 3, MAFF must verify cultivation tests done in open fields.
    After Step 4, it is possible to domestically cultivate these crops but in order to use the product in the food supply the following step is necessary.
  5. After Step 4, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) must determine whether the food products are safe for consumption.


Currently, there are many biotech rice varieties that have completed Step 4 but are not commercial available because they have yet to fulfill Step 5.

There are several varieties, which have been verified by MAFF in closed greenhouse experimentation or have been verified in open field-testing. The following outline those varieties.

Low Gluten "Koshihikari"
Development Company: Orynova
Status: Approved by MAFF for open field cultivation (2000)
Orynova is a joint venture by JT (Japan Tobacco Industry) and Syngenta (formerly Zenica). It was formerly Japan Tobacco Industry's genetic research institute. Orynova has developed many varieties of tobacco and other plants in the past, but none were for commercial use such as rice.
Low gluten rice contains fewer proteins, an unnecessary ingredient for Japanese Sake. Koshihikari is one of the best-liked varieties of rice for human consumption and this strain can be used for low protein diets. Originally, the strains "Tsuki no Hikari" and "Aki Hikari" were being developed, but since there was no market for it, "Tsuki no Hikari" has been frozen. The Koshihikari Series 4 passed the closed green house tests in 1997, the open green house tests in 1998, and had progressed to isolated field tests in 1999. One variety of Koshihikari, KA 130, passed cultivation tests in 2000. An application has been made to the MHW for use in food items.

Herbicide Resistant (Gluphosinate resistant) Rice (LibertyLink Rice)
Development Company: Aventis, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, Institute of the Society for Techno-innovation of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Status: Approved by MAFF for open field cultivation (2000)
Both the closed greenhouse and semi-closed greenhouse tests were done in the U.S. In 1999, two strains, "M-202" and "Bengal," were tested in isolated fields. In 2000, "Bengal" was approved for cultivation. Gluphosinate is known under the commercial name of "Buster." Aventis was created through the merger of AgrEvo and Rhone-Poulenc. Aventis is known for its development and sales of StarLink Corn. The purpose of development is to "import for use in prepared foods and as feed." We have received information that a Gluphosinate resistant variety of rice is being test-cultivated in California. No application has been made to the MHW for use as food.

Herbicide Resistant (Roundup - Glyphosate resistant) Rice
Development Company: Monsanto
Status: Approved by MAFF for open field cultivation (2000)
Six strains have been developed in the U.S. and in 1999 they underwent isolated field tests, and in 2000 all were cleared for cultivation. The variety is the California mid-sized grain "M-202." This rice will probably be used for feed, human consumption, and domestic production. It seems obvious that an application to the MHW will be made for food safety examinations.

Rice stripe tenuivirus Resistant "Nipponbare"
Development Company: National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
Status:
Nipponbare 16-2: Approved by MAFF for open field cultivation (1994)
Nipponbare 20-2, 21-3: Approved by MAFF for open field cultivation (1997)
All three strains passed closed green house tests in 1990 and were given the go for semi-closed greenhouse tests in 1992. Nipponbare 16-2 passed isolated field tests in 1993 and was approved for open field cultivation in 1994, becoming the first to be approved for open field cultivation along with Rice stripe tenuivirus Resistant Kinu Hikari developed by Plantech Research Institute (Mitsubishi Chemical). Both 20-2 and 21-3 completed isolated field tests in 1996 and were approved for open field cultivation in 1997.
It is expected that application for food safety inspection will be made for all three strains, but use in food products will probably be delayed and these will be used as a foundation for further development of improved varieties.

Low Allergen "Kinu Hikari"
Development Company: Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences
Status: Approved by MAFF for open field cultivation (1995)
Completed closed green house testing in 1992, semi-closed greenhouse testing in 1993, isolated field tests in 1994, and approved for open field cultivation in 1995. The open field cultivation tests showed that allergens were not completely controlled and there are no plans for use in food production.

Herbicide Resistant (bialaphous resistant) Rice
Development Company: Iwate Biotechnology Research Center
Status: Approved by MAFF for isolated field cultivation (1998)
Closed and semi-closed greenhouse tests completed in 1997 and isolated field tests were approved in 1998. Currently under development.

Herbicide Resistant (Roundup - Glyphosate resistant) "Matsuribare"
Development Company: Monsanto, Aichi-ken Agricultural Research Center
Status: Approved by MAFF for isolated field cultivation (2000)
Completed closed greenhouse testing in 1998, semi-closed greenhouse testing in 1999, and approved for isolated field cultivation in 2000. Six strains are being developed concurrently. In Shimane Prefecture, cultivation tests using a helicopter to broadcast seeds are being done. Concerns are for using Roundup diluted in water and applied directly to the plants.

Human Lactoferrin Producing "Koshihikari"
Development Company: National Federation of Agricultural Co-operative Associations (Zen-Noh)
Status: Approved by MAFF for isolated field cultivation (2000)
Completed closed greenhouse testing in 1996, semi-closed greenhouse testing in 1998, and approved for isolated field cultivation in 2000. Introduction of genetic material for the production of human Lactoferrin. In addition to increasing immunity, an increase in iron content is also reported. This variety may appear as a "functional food" (health food).


The following are also varieties currently under development in Japan.
However, the sources of these data are more than 5 years and may no longer be current.

[ July 08, 2001 | report ]

Copyright GM RICE WATCH CENTER / Teikeimai-network
E-mail adress: webmaster at teikeimai.net [at is @]

Syndicate this site (XML)
Powered by Movable Type 3.151-ja