Sources of Japan's bekko imports prior to 1993 included Caribbean and Latin American countries, Asian countries, East African countries, and countries in Oceania and the Pacific regions. From 1970 to 1979, Panama, Indonesia and Cuba were major exporting countries. From 1980 to 1992, Cuba, the Solomon Islands and Jamaica were the major exporting countries. Membership in the JBA is voluntary. JBA had 108 formal members and 46 'supporting' members in 1998.
Formal members are members of six turtle shell industry associations.
Supporting members are mainly individual craftsmen and retailers. Most JBA members have registered with the government, but retailers are not required to register. The number of JBA members decreased from 148 in 1992 to 108 in 1998. The Osaka Association closed down about four years ago . The JBA provided production values for the domestic trade of all manufactured hawksbill products for the entire industry.