# DNA Data Bank of Japan

> DNA sequence database

**Wikidata**: [Q1053553](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1053553)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_Data_Bank_of_Japan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dna-data-bank-of-japan

## Summary
The DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) is a national DNA sequence database operated by Japan's National Institute of Genetics, serving as a primary repository for molecular biology research data since its founding in 1990. It functions as part of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration, ensuring global accessibility to genetic sequence information.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1990 (website inception year, reference: Q328)
- Operated by the National Institute of Genetics (inception: 1949) located in Japan
- Official website: http://www.ddbj.nig.ac.jp
- License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.1 Japan
- Classified as a biological database and website instance
- Contains sequence data across immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, and health sciences
- Wikipedia coverage in 10 languages: Arabic, Catalan, English, Spanish, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Tamil, Turkish
- Freebase ID: /m/0269f9m (as of 2013)

## FAQs
### Q: What does the DNA Data Bank of Japan do?  
A: DDBJ collects, archives, and distributes DNA and RNA sequence data from researchers worldwide, providing free public access to genetic information for scientific analysis and discovery.

### Q: How does DDBJ differ from other sequence databases?  
A: While collaborating with NCBI (USA) and EMBL-EBI (Europe) through the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration, DDBJ uniquely handles Japanese-language documentation and focuses on regional Asian scientific data submissions.

### Q: Who can submit data to DDBJ?  
A: Researchers globally can submit nucleotide sequence data through standardized procedures, though the database is particularly accessible to Japanese scientific institutions due to its operator's location.

## Why It Matters
The DNA Data Bank of Japan solves the critical problem of centralized, accessible genetic data storage, enabling reproducible research across borders. Its role in the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration ensures data consistency and prevents duplication of effort in genomics. By providing open-access sequence information under Creative Commons licensing, DDBJ accelerates medical research, evolutionary biology studies, and biodiversity conservation efforts. Its position as Japan's sole national genetic repository makes it indispensable for regional scientific communities while contributing to global genomic databases essential for disease research and biotechnology innovation.

## Notable For
- One of the three foundational members of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration alongside NCBI and EMBL-EBI
- Implements Japanese-specific documentation standards for regional scientific submissions
- Operated directly by a government research institute (National Institute of Genetics) rather than a university or consortium
- Maintains unique multilingual accessibility (Japanese, English, etc.) for international researchers
- Uses the Creative Commons Attribution 2.1 Japan license specifically adapted for Japanese legal frameworks

## Body
### Foundation and Operation
- Established in 1990 under the National Institute of Genetics
- Fundamentally a biological database with website interface functionality
- Hosts 12 interlinked Wikipedia articles across multiple languages

### Data Scope and Classification
- Collects DNA, RNA, and amino acid sequence data
- Covers immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology
- Indexed in ScienceDirect under three distinct discipline categories

### Licensing and Accessibility
- Governed by Creative Commons Attribution 2.1 Japan license
- Operates under Japanese data protection standards while maintaining international accessibility
- All data publicly viewable via http://www.ddbj.nig.ac.jp

### Collaborative Structure
- Core member of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration
- Exchanges synchronized data with NCBI (USA) and EMBL-EBI (Europe)
- Regional node serving Asian scientific communities

### Technical Framework
- Maintains Freebase identifier /m/0269f9m since 2013
- Structured as both a digital resource and research database entity
- Supports multilingual documentation including Japanese (日本DNAデータバンク) and English terms

## References

1. [Nucleic Acids Research](http://nar.oxfordjournals.org/content/44/D1/D51.full.pdf+html)
2. [Source](http://www.ddbj.nig.ac.jp)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013