OUR MISSION
Cultural heritage has been protected by particular groups of people as a source of the identity they inherited from their ancestors. It is also an irreplaceable testimony to the history of mankind that should be referred to in building man’s future. On the other hand, it is also a fact that much cultural heritage is facing the risk of degradation, destruction, and disappearance without being given sufficient protection for different reasons. Cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage is becoming increasingly important as a means of facilitating cultural exchange and mutual understanding among various countries.
The Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation, the national center for promoting international cooperation in terms of conservation and restoration as well as research of cultural heritage, continues to conduct cooperation projects in various parts of the world actively. The Center’s activities range over diverse areas related to the protection of cultural heritage, such as the collection, study, and dissemination of international information, the implementation of cooperation projects, and capacity development in conservation.
The Center consists of three sections, namely Resource and Systems Research Section, Conservation Design Section, and Conservation Practice Section. It also coordinates activities with the International Cooperation Section of the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, connecting the two research institutes for cultural properties based in Tokyo and Nara, for effective implementation of the Institutes’ internationally-related activities.
News & Column
- Behind the Scenes of Conservation: Colour Matching
Conservators usually do some practice and undertake tests before actually implementing conservation treatment, but they are not something that can be observed by looking at a treated object. This column will focus on colour matching, which I practised repeatedly while I was studying cultural materials conservation. Areas of loss, for example a chip of a… Read more: Behind the Scenes of Conservation: Colour Matching - [Application Closed] JPC 2025 - International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper
Japanese paper is internationally recognized as a superior conservation material. It is also the support material used in Japanese artworks found in many collections worldwide. However, it is difficult outside of Japan to gain in-depth, holistic knowledge and experience in traditional conservation techniques dealing with Japanese paper. The JPC course offers a unique opportunity for… Read more: [Application Closed] JPC 2025 - International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper - Closing of the Study Tour on AR & VR Applications and Workshop on 3D Digital Documentation
Following the completion of technical training in 3D digital documentation, the workshop participants embarked on a five-day study tour from October 26 to 30, focusing on practical case studies involving 3D digital content (primarily in AR and VR). The main highlights of the tour included the Peace Park Tours at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the… Read more: Closing of the Study Tour on AR & VR Applications and Workshop on 3D Digital Documentation - Workshop on 3D Digital Documentation of the Cultural Heritage and Its Application is Underway
We launched the "Workshop on 3D Digital Documentation of Cultural Heritage and Its Applications" on October 21, 2024. This workshop is organized as part of the Network Core Centers for International Cooperation on Conservation of Cultural Heritage Project, commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Seven experts from Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt… Read more: Workshop on 3D Digital Documentation of the Cultural Heritage and Its Application is Underway - Closing of International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper 2024
International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper 2024, which began on 26th August, concluded on 13th September. Co-organized by ICCROM and Tobunken, this course hold as significant place among ICCROM's programs due to its long-standing history. Ten participants from overseas acquired traditional Japanese conservation skills by creating a handscroll. During the third week, they learned… Read more: Closing of International Course on Conservation of Japanese Paper 2024