The Conference to Consider the Genome Issue (representative Susumu Shimazono, Honorary Professor of the Graduate School of the University of Tokyo and currently professor at Sophia University, Tokyo), consisting of experts and citizens, submitted to the government and academic associations a "Request concerning the establishment of a forum to discuss genome editing of the human embryo with the participation of a wide range of researchers and citizens," holding a press conference in the Lower House Diet Members' Office Building No. 2 on 13 July 2020. Representative Shimazono stated that there is a huge ethical problem in the application of genome editing to human embryos, and, moreover, since the building of a social consensus is as yet insufficient, a forum for discussion in which citizens can also participate should be established. There is currently no forum for citizens to speak out on this issue in Japan.