National Museum of Nature and Science
Established in 1877, the National Museum of Nature and Science (Kahaku) is one of the oldest museums in Japan.It is also the only national museum in the country that offers a comprehensive exhibition of natural history and the history of science and technology.
Kahaku plays a core role among science museums in Japan and in the Asian region.It promotes three fundamental activities; conducting research studies, collecting and preserving specimens, and organizing exhibitions and educational programs. These activities are carried out mainly in three of our institution districts.The first is Ueno district, consisting of Japan Gallery, completed inside the Ueno Park in 1931 (designated as an important cultural property),and its adjacent building, Global Gallery. The second is Tsukuba district, consisting of Tsukuba Botanical Garden and the Research and Natural History Collection Wings.The third is Shirokane district, the site of the Institute for Nature Study (designated as a natural monument and historic site).
Independent Administrative Institution, National Institutes for Cultural Heritage
Independent administrative institutions were created independent of the national government in order to provide flexible administrative services that had previously been offered by the government. In order to collect and archive tangible cultural properties and make them publicly available for viewing, the Independent Administrative Institution, National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (NICH) established the National Museums in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Kyushu. Together with these four museums, the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in Tokyo and Nara, and the International Research Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region, the NICH conducts surveys and research related to cultural properties, in order to conserve and utilize these invaluable assets for the people of Japan.
The NICH continues to support the public administration in protecting cultural properties by promoting more efficient and effective conservation and utilization.
Independent Administrative Institution, National Museum of Art（Japanese）
The Independent Administrative Institution, National Museum of Art is tasked with implementing diverse activities to suit a range of people's curiosities and interests and in different situations related to contemporary art, with the objective of creating and developing arts and culture. For this purpose, the five museums — National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; National Museum of Western Art; National Museum of Art, Osaka; and National Art Center, Tokyo — collaborate and cooperate in collecting and exhibiting works of art, art education activities, and research activities, while making use of their respective unique characteristics. At the same time, these museums serve as a foundation for promoting the arts in Japan, implementing measures such as exchanges with overseas museums and artists, and offering advice to public and private art museums.
Independent Administrative Institution, Japan Arts Council
The Japan Arts Council aims to improve the arts and other elements of culture in Japan, by:
(1) Assisting cultural and artistic activities,
(2) Preserving and promoting the traditional performing arts of Japan, and
(3) Promoting and popularizing modern performing arts.
The Council has established the National Theatre, the National Engei Hall, the National Noh Theatre, the National Bunraku Theatre, the National Theatre Okinawa and the New National Theatre, Tokyo to function as theater facilities for traditional and modern performing arts. At each of these venues, the Council operates integrated programs to present public performances, train artists, and collect traditional and modern performing arts materials.
