Inter-University Research Institute Corporation National Institutes for the Humanities National Museum of Ethnology

The National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) was founded in 1974 to conduct research in cultural anthropology and ethnology, to collect and exhibit ethnographic materials, based on the results of that research, and through these activities to provide information on the societies and cultures of the many peoples of the world, thereby promoting a deeper awareness and understanding of them. It opened its doors in November, 1977.

Established in 1974 as an Inter-University Research Institute under the Law to Amend Part of the National School Establishment Act (No. 81, 1974), Minpaku made a fresh start in April, 2004, becoming instead one of three National Institutes for the Humanities, under the National University Corporation Act (No. 112, 2003).

Minpaku is also an Inter-University Research Institute. As a center for basic research, it is an institution at which researchers from universities and research institutions from abroad as well as Japan share access to large-scale facilities and scholarly materials and conduct joint research, supported by its community of researchers. The sixteen Inter-University Research Institutes in existence as of April, 2004, were reorganized under four newly founded institutes.

In 2004 and 2007, Minpaku celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of its founding and of the opening of the museum, respectively, with special events and the publication of a history of its first thirty years.

1935

A plan to establish an ethnological museum of Japan as an incorporated Foundation is developed under the leadership of SHIBUSAWA Keizo and SHIRATORI Kurakichi .

1964

The Japanese Society of Ethnology, the Anthropological Society of Nippon, the Japanese Archaeological Association, the Folklore Society of Japan, and the Japanese Association of Ethnology jointly submit a request to establish a national ethnological research museum to the Minister of Education and other relevant authorities.

1965

The Science Council of Japan submits a recommendation to establish a National Ethnological Research Museum (tentative name) to the Prime Minister.

1972

A research council (chaired by KUWAHARA Takeo) conducts a feasibility study on the establishment of a National Ethnological Research Museum. A basic concept plan for the museum is submitted to the Minister of Education.

1973

A preparatory council for the establishment of a National Ethnological Research Museum (tentative name) and a preparation office are set up.

1974

The National Museum of Ethnology is founded under the "Law to amend part of the National School Establishment Law" (No. 81, 1974), with an Administration Department, an Information and Documentation Center, and five Research Departments.

1977

The Museum buildings (28,778 m2) are completed and the surrounding area is landscaped. An opening ceremony is held.
Exhibitions on Oceania, the Americas, Europe, West Asia, Music, Language, Southeast Asia, and East Asia (Japanese Culture), as well as the Videotheque are opened to the public.

1979

The fourth Exhibition Hall (1,272 m2), which accommodates an additional exhibition on East Asia (Japanese Culture), is completed and opened to the public.
Exhibitions on Central and North Asia, and East Asia (Ainu Culture) are opened to the public.

1981

The auditorium (3,704 m2) is completed.

1983

The eighth Exhibition Hall and other facilities (4,816 m2) are completed. The exhibition on East Asia (Cultures of the Korean Peninsula and Regional Cultures of China) is opened to the public.

1984

The tenth anniversary of the Foundation is celebrated.

1987

The tenth anniversary of the Museum's opening to the public is celebrated.

1989

The School of Cultural and Social Studies, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Regional Studies and Comparative Studies) is established within the Museum.
The Special Exhibition Hall and the library stacks (5,292 m2) are completed.
The first special exhibition, “The Great Andes Civilization: Inca, the Reviving Empire of the Sun” is organized to celebrate the completion of the Special Exhibition Hall.

1993

The main Museum building is expanded and a joint research facility (891 m2) is completed.

1994

The twentieth anniversary of the Museum Foundation is celebrated.
The Japan Center for Area Studies is established.

1995

The Center of Excellence (COE) program is established: "Pioneering Research for the Development of New Ethnological Studies Using Multimedia in the Global Era."

1996

The seventh Exhibition Hall (6,439 m2) is completed.
Exhibitions on Language and Southeast Asia are renovated.
An audio-visual gallery, the Materiatheque, and the exhibition on South Asia are opened.

1997

The twentieth anniversary of the museum’s opening to the public is celebrated.

1998

The Kyocera Collection of British Parliamentary Papers is established.
Following the enactment of the Ministerial Ordinance to revise part of the administrative rules for the Inter-University Research Institute (Ordinance of the Ministry of Education No.24 of 1998), the five research departments are reorganized into four research departments and one research facility.

1999

The Minpaku Digital Guide and Study Area are opened.

2000

A renovated exhibition on the cultures of the Korean Peninsula are opened.

2001

The exhibition on Oceania is renovated and the first floor is opened as a free zone.

2002

A call for Inter-University Projects begins.

2003

The exhibition on the Americas is renovated; thematic exhibitions on Europe, Africa, and East Asia (Regional Cultures of China) are opened.

2004

Following the enactment of the National University Corporation Law (No. 112, 2003), the Museum, as an Inter-University Research Institute, becomes a member of the National Institutes for the Humanities, and its four research departments and one research facility are reorganized into three Research Departments and two Research Centers.
To facilitate joint research, a mechanism for screening by the Joint Research Committee, whose membership includes representatives from the research community is established and the scope of the call for joint research applications is expanded.

2006

The Japan Center for Area Studies (JCAS) is transferred to the Center for Integrated Area Studies (CIAS) in Kyoto University, and is no longer part of the Museum.
The Kyocera Collection of British Parliamentary Papers is transferred from the Museum to Kyoto University Library.
The Minpaku Collection Help Desk opens.

2007

Commemorative events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Museum are held, including a commemorative ceremony in November.

2008

Other recent developments included an agreement concerning collaborative programs with the Japanese Society of Cultural Anthropology (JASCA).

2009

The updated Africa and West Asia exhibits were opened to the public.

2010

New organizational structures were put in place, including the establishment of the Center for International Academic Exchange.