In order to hand down the history of Japan correctly to posterity, by preserving and providing government documents and records in accordance with the Public Archives Law and the National Archives Law for public use, the National Archives conducts extensive research and studies on the range of government documents and records to be preserved, modes of their preservation, and methods of making them available for public use. We make use of the results of such research and studies in operating the National Archives, while at the same time exchanging and sharing these results with other archives in and outside Japan. For these purposes, we promote the following activities.
We carry out research and studies required to evaluate the importance of government documents and records as historical materials, and to establish general standards regarding the range of, and the methods for preserving, the government documents and records to be kept at the National Archives.
We conduct research and studies on how to provide users with information on the location and other details of historical records preserved in the National Archives and other national institutions in charge of preservation and use of documents.
Regarding the unique historical records we hold, we conduct research and studies on the catalogs and their contents as well as on a catalog database, all of which are required to make them available for wider public use.
The National Archives conducts research projects and surveys on the newest systems being used in overseas public archives by exchanging ideas and opinions, collecting related materials, etc. The National Archives also regularly collects and stores archives-related information through the Internet and reference books.
The results of our research and studies on historical records are published in our research journal: "Kitanomaru," and information on recent policy measures we have adopted, or on archives in other countries, is published in our information magazine "Archives." Information on our specific operations during the year is published in the "Annual Report of the National Archives of Japan."
3-2 Kitanomaru Koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0091
TEL:+81-3-3214-0641