Bacillus paranthracis strain DB-4 was isolated from nukadoko in Japan. We report the draft genome sequence of this strain to provide insights into the survival mechanisms of lactic acid bacteria in fermented rice bran.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has reached a critical situation globally, prompting urgent national responses to this escalating crisis, including the prioritization of novel antibiotic research. In 2016, Japan initiated a national AMR action plan that promoted appropriate antibiotic use in the country and encouraged a national environment conducive to mitigation measures. However, tackling AMR remains difficult. From an epidemiological perspective, this challenge now extends beyond severe infections, impacting common community-acquired infections, including uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTls) and gonorrhea. In uUTIs, the rising prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing and fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli diminishes the effectiveness of current, routinely used oral antibiotics, necessitating an exploration into innovative solutions. Similarly, the growing resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antibiotics such as azithromycin raises concerns about the efficacy of current therapeutic options for gonorrhea, which is a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection. In Japan, since the removal of azithromycin as the recommended first-line treatment, there are no oral first-line antibiotics available to treat gonorrhea. Therefore, novel oral antibiotics are urgently needed for both serious and commonly occurring community-acquired infections. This narrative review discusses the limited availability of novel antibiotics in Japan, the distinctive features of the Japanese antibiotic repertoire and AMR epidemiology, and potential alternative oral treatments for community-acquired infections, including uUTIs and gonorrhea. Japan has been making significant advances toward tackling the AMR crisis through an updated national action plan, AMR policy changes, and innovative approaches to developing novel antibiotics. Substantial international cooperation and the engagement of diverse industry sectors are essential to address the pressing issue of AMR.

We analyzed the bacterial diversity of root nodule and rhizosphere soil samples of edamame collected in Ebina, Japan. The major population identified from the nodules belonged to the genus Bradyrhizobium , and the rhizosphere soil in the open field has a higher abundance of the Rhizobiales order bacteria than that in the greenhouse.

Weissella soli strain DB-2 is a lactic acid bacterium that was isolated from nukadoko in Japan. We report the draft genome sequence of Weissella soli strain DB-2 to determine the presence of the genes responsible for exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, with the aim of further probiotic evaluation.