Molecular Biology Society of Japan
Code of Ethics
The Molecular Biology Society of Japan (MBSJ) aims to contribute to the advancement of the life sciences inJapan by promoting research and education in molecular biology through scientific research, knowledge
sharing, and awareness-raising activities. Members are strongly expected to: always act with integrity in thequest for truth; firmly recognize that research must be founded on public trust and mandate and that freedomof research and the independence of science cannot be maintained unless scientists themselves act
autonomously; and thoroughly internalize the morals and rules that must be followed in research. The rules
and morals of research are those that humankind has built up over the years as guidelines for applying thescientific method in directions that bring us closer to the truth. By complying with these guidelines, scientists
are able to discuss the validity of the results of research. For these reasons, the MBSJ has enacted the following
code of ethics for its members.
1. Social Responsibility
Members shall strive to disseminate accurate scientific knowledge across society. To do so, they shall endeavor
to maintain and expand their expertise, and honestly communicate to society the significance and functions oftheir research.
2. Research Integrity
Members shall always act with integrity in all aspects of their research, including proposals, planning,submission of applications, implementation, and reports. In publicly sharing the results of their researchthrough journal articles and other channels, they shall firmly bear the responsibilities that come with therecognition of their contributions to science. These responsibilities include, among others: rigorously recording
and safeguarding research data; refusing to become party to data fabrication/falsification, plagiarism, and otherforms of misconduct; and rejecting any improper research activities that could encourage such misconduct.
Members shall keep in mind that one of their key duties is to establish and maintain a climate of integritythat facilitates the responsible pursuit of research and the prevention of misconduct. They shall diligently andcontinuously strive to improve the quality of the research environment within their organizations and thegreater scientific community, and to engage in educational activities for preventing misconduct. To facilitate
their discharge of these responsibilities, they shall actively seek the understanding and cooperation of society.
Furthermore, they shall comply with all laws, regulations, and rules concerning research activities,including implementation and the use of funding.
3. Prohibition of Discrimination and Harassment
Members shall firmly oppose and never tolerate any improper conduct, including discrimination based on
attributes such as gender, age, race, nationality, and affiliation or based on disability, religion, or personalinformation. Members shall also prohibit harassment in all research, educational, and academic society
activities, and strive to develop, through their own responsible conduct, environments where harassment does
not occur.

4. Scientific Impartiality
Members shall engage in research, education, and society activities in an impartial manner based on thescientific method. They shall honestly evaluate the intellectual achievements and other accomplishments of
their peers, and respect the honor and intellectual property rights of others.
5. Conflicts of Interest
Members shall be mindful of all potential personal, organizational, and inter-organizational conflicts of interest
with respect to their roles as scientists, including activities such as research, review, evaluation, decisionmaking, and scientific consultation. Whenever such conflicts exist, members shall act in a proper manner thatserves the public interest of society.

This MBSJ Code of Ethics was set forth at the 19th/20th meetings of the Board of Directors held fromDecember 6, 2016 to January 6, 2017.

Supplementary Provisions
This Code of Ethics shall take effect from January 10, 2017.
Note 1: Item 3 was added by the 23rd meeting of the Board of Directors held from March 14 to April 4, 2024.