The Genebank Program Management and Technical Office serves as the secretariat of the Genebank Project and is responsible for the introduction, conservation and distribution of genetic resources, as well as the management of information on genetic resources. Through the network of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), other public research institutes and universities participating in the Genebank project, the office is responsible for the storage, research and coordination of genetic resources. Plant genetic resources collected and introduced through exploration from Japan and overseas are accepted and managed in a database. Seeds of plant genetic resources are stored in a “medium-term seed storage” (-1℃, 30% humidity) for distribution and in a “long-term seed storage” (-18℃, 30% humidity) for backup. These storage rooms are computerized and equipped with an automatic seed retrieval system. Seed germination tests are carried out every five years on the approximately 140,000 genetic resources in the medium-term storage to confirm their germinability. If the germination rate is less than 80%, the seeds are re-propagated to obtain seeds with sufficient germination. We distribute about 10,000 of these genetic resources annually to research institutes, universities, and private companies in Japan and abroad. In order to store a large number of genetic resources and provide users with appropriate information on genetic resources, we also manage a genetic resources database. Users can search for the genetic resources they need on the Genebank website and request them easily.
