Promotion of International Cooperation for Protection of Cultural Heritage Abroad

Outstanding Cultural Heritage is a precious legacy common to all humanity. We have a responsibility to overcome national borders and ensure that these treasures are passed along for the future. Out of an awareness of this responsibility, the Law on the Promotion of International Cooperation for Protection of Cultural Heritage Abroad was introduced in 2006. Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology created the Basic Policy on the Promotion of International Cooperation for Protection of Cultural Heritage Abroad in 2007 in order to make clear the basic direction of promotion, the roles of the country and relevant institutions and prescribe a basic policy to be adopted.

In addition, numerous specialists from Japan's universities and non-governmental research institutes have made great achievements abroad working with endangered sites of Cultural Heritage. Since the enactment of the Law on the Promotion of International Cooperation for Protection of Cultural Heritage Abroad, Japan has been mobilizing the power of these domestic bodies as one of the measures within its promotion of the law. The Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage was established in June of 2006. Through this consortium, those in the governmental and educational institutions that are engaged in cooperation for Cultural Heritage are brought together through a working network and established framework which allows for efficient cooperation among all.

(tentative translation)

Law on the Promotion of International Cooperation for Protection of Cultural Heritage Abroad

Article 1: Purpose

The purpose of this law is to endeavour to promote international cooperation on cultural heritage and to contribute to development of diverse cultures of the world and to the improvement of our international position, through formulating the basic principles and clarifying the responsibilities of the State and others as well as through establishing the basic matters of policy on the promotion of international cooperation on cultural heritage regarding the promotion of international cooperation on the protection of overseas cultural heritage that has been damaged, deteriorated, disappeared, been destroyed, or is at the risk of such (hereinafter "international cooperation on cultural heritage")

Article 2: Basic Principles

Bearing in mind that cultural heritage is the invaluable common property of humanity, international cooperation on cultural properties shall be those activities through which Japan makes an active contribution to the development of the diverse cultures of the world, playing a leading role in international society through the application of its store of knowledge, skills, and experience to safeguarding endeavours, and which at the same time promote increased mutual understanding internationally, while fostering a spirit of respect among the Japanese people for different cultures.
International cooperation on cultural heritage must be carried out on the principle of supporting the independent efforts of governments or related organizations in the foreign country where the cultural heritage is located, taking into account the importance of cultural diversity.
Policies related to the promotion of international cooperation on cultural heritage shall be carried out bearing in mind the basic principles of the Fundamental Law for the Promotion of Arts and Culture (Law No. 148, 2001).

Article 3: Responsibilities of the State

The State shall be responsible for the formulation and implementation of measures for the promotion of international cooperation on cultural heritage, following the basic principles in the previous article.

Article 4: Responsibilities and other matters of Educational and Research Institutions

Universities and other educational and research institutions concerned with international cooperation on cultural heritage (hereinafter "educational and research institutions") shall endeavour actively and independently towards the training of the human resources and the pursuit of research necessary for international cooperation on cultural heritage, and making the results of that research widely available.
Educational and research institutions shall endeavour to ensure the appropriate treatment for researchers and technicians, and the provision of well-equipped education and research facilities, so that the work and working environment of researchers and technicians involved in international cooperation on cultural heritage shall appropriately reflect the importance of that work.
In policies related to the promotion of international cooperation on cultural heritage, the State shall take into account respect for the independence of researchers, in addition to special features of research at educational and research institutions, when formulating and implementing matters related to educational and research institutions.

Article 5: Financial measures and other matters

The government shall endeavour to take financial and other measures as necessary for the implementation of policies related to promotion of international cooperation on cultural heritage.

Article 6: Basic Plan

The Minister of Education, Culture, Science, Sports, and Technology (MEXT), and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, shall establish a Basic Plan concerning the Promotion of International Cooperation on Cultural Heritage (hereinafter "the basic plan") in order to promote international cooperation on cultural heritage.
The basic plan shall establish basic matters for the promotion of policies related to international cooperation on cultural heritage, and other necessary matters.
When establishing or changing the basic plan, the Minister of MEXT and the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall consult with the heads of related administrative institutions.
When the basic plan is established or changed, the Minister of MEXT and the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall publicly announce the fact without delay.

Article 7: Strengthening of collaboration

Bearing in mind that harmonized international cooperation on cultural heritage can be effectively advanced by promoting collaboration and mutual cooperation among the State, independent administrative institutions (as established under Article 2 Paragraph 1 of the Law for General Rules for Independent Administrative Institutions (1999, Law No. 103); the same applies hereinafter) involved in international cooperation on cultural heritage, educational and research institutions, private organizations, and others, the State shall put in place necessary measures to strengthen ties among these bodies.

Article 8: Close mutual collaboration among related administrative institutions

In the promotion of international cooperation on cultural heritage, related administrative institutions shall work in close mutual collaboration in order to put in place appropriate measures as necessary for the promotion of international cooperation on cultural heritage.

Article 9: Support for Educational and Research Institutions and Private Sector Organizations

The State shall provide information and take other necessary measures in order to support activities related to international cooperation on cultural heritage carried out by educational and research institutions and private sector organizations.

Article 10: Securing of human resources and other matters

The State shall put in place measures as necessary to secure and to train human resources with expertise related to international cooperation on cultural heritage, and to improve their quality, while promoting close mutual collaboration and cooperation with Independent Administrative Institutions involved in international cooperation on cultural heritage, educational and research institutions, private sector organizations, and others in order to promote international cooperation on cultural heritage.

Article 11: Measures for International Cooperation

In order that international cooperation on cultural heritage be promoted on the basis of international harmony in the spirit of the various conventions and other agreements related to the protection of cultural heritage, the State shall endeavour to exchange information with governments or related institutions of foreign countries, or international institutions, and take other appropriate measures as necessary.

Article 12: Domestic and overseas collection, organization, and utilization of information

The government shall collect, organize, and utilize domestic and overseas information related to international cooperation on cultural heritage and to take other necessary measures, in order that international cooperation on cultural heritage may be effectively and appropriately implemented as necessary.

Article 13: Reflection of opinions

The State shall set up a system and take other measures so that government policy reflects the opinions of those involved in preservation and restoration in the field of international cooperation on cultural heritage, in order to contribute to the appropriate formulation and implementation of policies in relation to the promotion of international cooperation on cultural heritage.

Article 14: Increasing understanding and interest among the people

The State shall sufficiently publicize international cooperation on cultural heritage, promote education and take other measures as necessary, in order to deepen people's understanding of and interest in the importance of international cooperation on cultural heritage, and the role played by researchers and technicians involved therein.

Supplemental Provision

This law shall take effect as of the day of its promulgation.

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