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1. Background and Establishment of Brewery Convention of Japan (BCOJ) 2. Objectives 3. Organization and Board of Directors 4. Mission of the BCOJ Committees 5. Main Activities to Date 6. Relationship with Foreign and Domestic Organizations 7. Annual Meeting |
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| 1. Background of and Establishment of Brewery Convention of Japan (BCOJ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) and European Brewery Convention (EBC) were established in the United States and Europe, respectively, for the purpose of standardizing beer analysis methods. The analysis methods adopted by these organizations are still recognized as authoritative throughout the beer industry. In the past, there was no corresponding organization in Japan. Since the early 1980's, however, Japan's beer specialists steadily improved their level of technical know-how. As the result, Japan gained international recognition for its high standard of beer brewing technology, and both ASBC and EBC expressed a keen interest in the establishment of formal ties with the Japanese organization specializing in the beer brewing. American and European interest in Japanese breweries was the impetus for the industry in this country to work together and standardize the beer analysis methods. In 1982, as part of the general trend toward closer mutual communication, a specialist committee, named the "Board Meeting," was established within the Brewers Association of Japan (BAJ). This marked the beginning of a process toward the standardization of beer analysis methods and led to the 1990 publication of the "Methods of Analysis of BAJ." Following this, the Board Meeting strengthened its international activities, beginning with the reorganization of the BCOJ in 1992, and it continued to maintain active business relationships with international brewing organizations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2. Objectives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3. Organization and Board of Directors | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BCOJ was established within the BAJ, the latter consisting of Japan's five major breweries, Kirin Brewery Company, Limited, ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD., SAPPORO BREWERIES LTD. SUNTORY LIQUORS LIMITED., and ORION BREWERIES, LTD. The BCOJ comprises the board of directors, secretariat, analysis committee, and program committee. |
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| 4. Mission of the BCOJ Committees | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5. Main Activities to Date | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6. Relationship with Foreign and Domestic Organizations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Relationship between ASBC and BCOJ In 1983, an official technical liaison contract was signed between ASBC and BAJ. Under this liaison contract, the two signing parties agreed to exchange annual reports and conference minutes. Following this, in 1998, a Cooperative Agreement was established between BCOJ and ASBC. Under this agreement, these two organizations agreed to provide "Mutual invitations to the Board Chairpersons and Analysis Committee Chairpersons for Annual Meeting". BCOJ also participated in the World Brewing Congress (WBC) that is conducted by ASBC and the Master Brewers Association of Americas (MBAA) every four years. During the WBC 2008, BCOJ has held a symposium entitled "Japanese Advanced Technologies" and a workshop on "The Design of Asian Beer Styles". During the WBC2012, BCOJ also held a symposium on "Technology for the Future". Relationship between EBC and BCOJ In the past, before the official agreement to formalize their relationship, EBC and BOCJ had exchanged annual reports and conference minutes on a voluntary basis. In May 2001, both these organizations signed "A Declaration of Partnership" in order to advance their mutual relationship. In November 2003, Mr. Vesely, EBC President, and Ms. Wijngaarden, Secretary General of EBC, participated as guests at the BCOJ annual meeting. In 2011, during the 33rd EBC congress in Glasgow, Scotland, a representative of each organization renewed their declaration of partnership. Efforts to establish an International Method (IM) made through EBC and ASBC cooperation In 2006, to establish an internationally standardized analytical method, the agreement for an IM were signed between EBC, ASBC, and BCOJ. This agreement stipulated that in the event of an existing method where one or both of the organizations conduct their own trials using this method and if the results are acceptable, the method used shall be recognized as IM. It also stipulated that in the event of a new method where two or more of the organizations participate in the same collaborative trial and if at least two participating organizations accept the results, this method shall be accepted as IM. Co-participating organizations must provide results from at least two laboratories in order to qualify as co-owners of the joint venture. Relationships with Japanese local craft breweries In April 1994, the legal minimum manufactured quantity of beer decreased from 2,000KL/year to 60KL/year, which resulted in the emergence of small craft breweries. In July 1995, the "Japanese Craft Beer Association" and the "Japan Microbrewers Association" were organized. In March 1999, the "Japan Brewers Association," comprising 121 companies, which represented about half of the craft breweries, was established. BAJ (including BCOJ) has no direct relationship whatever with the Japan Brewers Association. However, the BCOJ published a number of documents such as the "Methods of Analysis of BCOJ" and the "BCOJ Microbiology Methods" in accordance with requests from the National Tax Bureau(s) and Public Health Center(s). These publications have largely contributed to the advancement of management technology of not only BCOJ member breweries, but also of the local craft breweries. |
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| 7. Annual Meeting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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