Top page > Guide to NRIB >

History of NRIB




The former NRIB, Jozo Shikenjo (in Japanese, none English designation at this time) was established on May 9, 1904 within the Ministry of Finance, located in Takinogawa, Kita-ku, Tokyo as a national research organization concerning technology related to alcoholic beverages. Its responsibility was to conduct scientific research into alcoholic beverage brewing technology to improve and develop the techniques, which were totally dependent on traditional methods at the time. Jozo Shikenjyo came under the direct control of the National Tax Agency in April 1959. We have consistently strived for the improvement and development of alcoholic beverage brewing technology up to today, through scientific research and the training of professionals nationwide. Especially in the field of microorganisms such as yeast and Aspergillus oryzae, we have been a pioneer in Japan, and have contributed to the advancement of biotechnology in Japan, in which leads the world.

According to the policy known as "Transfer of National Administrative Organizations" approved in a Cabinet meeting<BR> in 1988, the organization was commenced research activities in Higashi Hiroshima in July 1995. Moreover, as part of the central government administrative reform, it was restructured as the Independent Administrative Institution from April 2001 in order to promote the suitable and fair imposition of liquor tax. At the same time, targeting the sound development of alcoholic beverages industry as well as the enhancement of people's awareness concerning alcoholic beverage, we have launched new research activities.



Facility Appearance of Jozo Shikenjo era
Jozo Shikenjo era
(Tokyo, Takinogawa)
1904 Established as Jozo Shikenjo (in Japanese) within the Ministry of Finance in Takinogawa, Kita-ku, Tokyo.

1905 The lectures on production of alcoholic beverages started.

1905 Jozo Shikenjo Report No. 1 was issued.

1911 The first National New Sake Contests were held.

1932 English designition was named as The Govermental Institute of Brewing

1949 The National Tax Agency was set up, and The Govermental Institute of Brewing came under the direct control of the Agency's Alcoholic Beverage Tax section.

1957 Renamed as the Brewing Experiment Station

1959 Became an affiliated organization of National Tax Agency.

1962 Renamed as the Research Institute of Brewing (RIB)
The first National Western Type alcoholic beverage contests were held.

1963 The first Jozo Shikenjo public lecture took place.

1972 Renamed as the Nationoal Research Institute of Brewing.

1977 The first National Honkaku Shochu Contests were held.

1988 Cabinet decision concerning the NRIB transfer was made.

1995  The transfer was completed

1996 The National New Sake Contests, interrupted due to transfer, were restarted (the 84th).

April 2001 The organization was newly started as the Independent Administrative Institution.

May 2004 The 100th Anniversary of the National Reserch Institute of Brewing was celebrated.

July 2006 The Institute was reorganized into 7 divisions.
Present
Facility Appearance of Jozo Kenkyusho



National Research Institute of Brewing