Bifidobacterium bifidum OFR9 that exhibits acquired resistance to rifampicin and fluoroquinolones was selected by MNNG and multi-step mutation method. To investigate the resistance mechanism to rifampicin in the strain, RNA polymerase from B. bifidum parent strain and rifampicin-resistance OFR9 was partially purified and its sensitivity to rifampicin was assayed. The profile of RNA polymerase preparation of B. bifidum parent and B. bifidum OFR9 is similar to that of E. coli RNA polymerase that includes the basic subunits of ${eta}$`, ${eta},;{sigma},;{alpha}$ but which are a little different in size when they are compared with E. coli RNA polymerase subunits. RNA polymerase isolated from the parent strain was inhibited by 1${mu}$g/ml rifampicin but that from B. bifidum OFR9 was not affected by 100${mu}$g/ml concentration of rifampicin. RNA polymerase activity of B. bifidum OFR9 was maintained over 90% through that rifampicin concentration. This result is consistent with MIC values of in vitro test. It can be concluded that the mechanism of rifampicin resistance in B. bifidum OFR9 is due to an alteration of RNA polymerase.