Comparison of the 2021 International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) guidelines for “laboratory-based human stem cell research, embryo research, and related research activities” and the corresponding Japanese regulations

This paper presents a comparison of the 2021 guidelines for stem cell research and clinical translation outlined by the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) with the current regulations in Japan regarding the performance of such research. This paper provides a convenient English-language summary of the Japanese regulations, and illustrates the difference between the ISSCR guidelines and Japanese regulations regarding the conditions of implementation of study activities using human embryos or stem cells, for researchers outside Japan. The regulations governing the performance of research activities using human embryos or stem cells in Japan are relatively complex and comprise a range of laws and guidelines; the specific rules applied depend on the characteristics of each study. Therefore, even similar research activities may differ in terms of not only the guidelines or laws implemented, but also the procedures required. Such situations may confuse researchers.