These associations act as intermediaries between industry and ministries, apart from stimulating mutual support between their members. The good relationship between these associations and ministries is illustrated by the many 'second careers' that are given to governmental bureaucrats in these associations. This association is closely linked with MITI and organizes around 190 companies. The Research Association for Biotechnology , for example, currently participates in several MITI programmes. This approach has resulted in several regional biotechnology research parks.
PERI develops basic technologies by studying model proteins.
This enables companies to design their own proteins for pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals development. PERI also files patents, for instance regarding thermostability of proteins, and licenses the results. 40 Institute researchers and 40 researchers from companies are working on molecular biology, enzymes and metabolisms, neuroscience and cell biology. Much of its research is related to Japan's vulnerable position due to its dependence on imported energy, especially oil from the Middle East. Hydrogen might become an alternative fuel, while successful results in atmospheric carbon dioxide fixation in dry areas might be of interest for Persian Gulf countries.