Japanese Biochemical Society

The Japanese Biochemical Society was established in 1925, and joined to the Japan Medical Society in 1926. It became board an incorporated association in 1965. This society has a membership of 8,600 in 2014, consisting of biochemists and molecular biologists. The aim of the Japanese Biochemical Society is to promote the exchange of information and stimulate discussion and collaboration among biochemists, and to provide a forum and meetings for scientists covering all aspects of biochemistry. The main activities are Organization of scientific meetings, Publication of journals (Journal of Biochemistry, Seikagaku), Collaboration with national and international societies, Funding of research and granting of award, Research and investigations and other activities for the above mentioned purpose. There are many other outstanding initiatives. The JBS supports a JBS Biofrontier Symposium, serves as contacts with the FAOBMB, works as a co-host, a co-sponsor or a support for various research conferences, and offers its recommendation or funds to other organizations and awards. In 2015, the JBS worked for Japan Inter-Society Liaison Association Committee for Promoting Equal Participation of Men and Women in Science and Engineering (EPMEWSE). The JBS issues two academic journals; SEIKAGAKU and Journal of Biochemistry. SEIKAGAKU is a Japanese-language journal, which consists of reviews, mini-reviews, and special topics. In 2014, an online journal became available. Recently, Japanese-language review journals are getting smaller in number. SEIKAGAKU is, therefore, rather invaluable for beginners or researches in other fields. On the other hand, Journal of Biochemistry mainly offers original articles in English. In this journal, submitted manuscripts can be reviewed through direct communications with Japanese Editors. The JBS Awards are the “Young Investigator Award”, coming with a 300,000 yen prize, and the “JB Award” with a 100,000 yen prize. The former is competed for among researchers under 40 years old and the latter is awarded to the most excellent papers published in the Journal of Biochemistry. On behalf of “GUSHINKAI” Foundation, the JBS selects the “Samuro Kakiuchi Memorial Award” along with a 1,000,000 yen prize and the “Samuro Kakiuchi Memorial Research Award for Young Scientists” with a 500,000 yen grant. As for the Samuro Kakiuchi Memorial Award, there has been no required age limit since 2013.