The Regional Network on Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources for East Asia (EA-PGR) was established at the first East Asia Coordinators Meeting held in 1991, with 5 member countries including China, Japan, DPR Korea, R. Korea and Mongolia. The national coordinator was appointed by each member country and is serviced as focal point for contact. All the national coordinators were from the national genebanks of member countries. The coordinator meetings were organized every three years. At the coordinators meetings, the progress of activities on conservation and use of plant genetic resources were reported. The priority activities with common interests were identified and workplan for joint activities were developed. Since its establishment, the joint activities have been carried out on germplasm exchange, collecting and characterization of underutilized crops, and information dissemination through meetings, trainings and visits. The member countries worked closely together and developed the regional conservation strategy for East Asia, which is a component of SSEEA strategy for the Global Crop Diversity Trust. Under the EA-PGR, the collaboration among the members has been strengthened. Japan, as a member of the network, has played a very important role in the sustainable operation of the network by providing financial support to the joint activities.