2017 Volume 52 Issue 2 Pages 160-168
The first edition of Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP), which is a normative public document containing specifications and standards on pharmaceutical quality and standard test methods, was promulgated in June 1886. After being published, it continued to be revised to include the latest scientific knowledge of that era. In March 2016, the 17th revised Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP17) was introduced and promulgated. In September 2016, to mark the 130th anniversary of the establishment of JP, as well as publication of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia 17th edition, the Japanese Pharmacopoeia 130th Anniversary Symposium - Challenges for the future- was held in Tokyo, hosted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. In this article, we review the past history and background of Japanese Pharmacopoeia, and describe the contents and results of the 130th Anniversary Symposium. In addition, we explain the Five Pillars for Revision described in the basic policies for preparation of the next major revised edition, JP18, and also consider future issues required for formulating JP18.