Report by Review Committee of Agency of Cultural Affairs for Preservation and Utilization of Mural Paintings of Tumuli

On March 24, the Agency of Cultural Affairs Review Committee for Preservation and Utilization of Mural Paintings of Tumuli (Chair: NAGAI Yorikuni, Adjunct Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies), which had been investigating the causes of deterioration of the murals of Takamatsuzuka Tumuli, submitted its report to TAMAI Hideo, Commissioner of the Agency of Cultural Affairs. The report identified multiple factors, including natural causes, inadequate preservation measures, and a lack of monitoring systems by the Agency. It stated that delayed countermeasures following mold growth also led to a vicious cycle that further exacerbated the damage. (Japanese)