The New Blood Program Promotion Advisory Committee to the Ministry of Health and Welfare* submitted its initial report, dated the 5th of September 1989, to the Ministry. The report urged that Japan's blood program be developed through domestic blood donations toward the goal of self-sufficiency in all blood products, including plasma fraction products for which the country had been so dependent on imports. To achieve this goal, the report stated that it would be necessary to manage the blood supply appropriately to meet demand, and to ensure efficiency and transparency in doing so while conducting the blood program. In addition, it stated that it would be indispensable to collect, analyze, and evaluate detailed economy-and technology-related information generated not only in Japan but also in other countries. To achieve the objectives outlined in the report through investment and donations from concerned parties, under the approval of MHW, the Blood Products Research Organization was established on the 1st of August 1990.
* The Ministry of Health and Welfare became the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on January 6, 2001.
The objective of this organization is to collect and analyze information on blood products generated domestically and overseas, and to conduct necessary research and surveys in order to promote appropriate processing practices for, and national self-sufficiency in blood products (including alternative products) derived form domestically donated blood.
BPRO activities include the following:
We think that contributing to the development of blood business is our mission.
After the Second World War, the blood business in Japan started from a selling blood system by private blood banks mainly, and it transferred to the business that blood collection based on blood donation in cooperation with the authorities concerned including the Japanese Red Cross Society. The blood business developed remarkably in Japan, and self-sufficiency of whole blood products and blood component products through blood donation was accomplished completely. However, as the demand of plasma fractionated derivatives increased rapidly from the mid-1970's, a problem that the greater part of the supply had to depend on importation occurred.
Now, we are on a big turning point of establishing new blood business nationwide to procure all blood products thorough domestic blood donation. On the significant point, to achieve ideals, we at BPRO will research and study blood business in Japan and abroad, and do our utmost to answer expectations.(1994)
