Japan's museums facing storage crisis

TOKYO, Aug 07 (News On Japan) - Serious concerns have arisen over insufficient storage space for materials and specimens in museums across Japan.

The National Museum of Nature and Science expresses a growing sense of crisis that its fundamental roles of collection and preservation are becoming unattainable.

Kazukazu Shinoda, Director of the National Museum of Nature and Science, one of Japan's foremost museums, located in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, said valuable collections that no longer fits in the storage rooms are stacked in the corridors. "Items that we can't seem to store adequately are piling up. In reality, the storage facility itself is already full."

According to a survey conducted by the Japan Museum Association in 2019, approximately 60% of museums and art galleries reported that they either have "materials that cannot fit" or that they are "over 90% full."

In some cases, researchers who wish to donate collected materials are forced to dispose of them themselves due to the lack of space in museums to accept them.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Japan's Academics Demand Independence

Scholars affiliated with the Science Council of Japan formed a symbolic human chain in front of the National Diet building on May 8th, calling for revisions to the government’s proposed reform bill targeting the council’s structure, as deliberations enter their final phase in the Diet.

Inside Japan’s Failing Sewers

Across Japan, road collapses have been occurring with increasing frequency, often blamed on aging infrastructure. In one recent incident in Ashioshi, Saitama Prefecture, a truck was swallowed by a gaping sinkhole.

Two Men Arrested for Breaking Into Tokyo School

Two men who were arrested for forcibly entering an elementary school in Tachikawa City, Tokyo, and assaulting staff members have been identified as friends of a student's mother. One of the suspects denies the charges, claiming he was only brushing people off after being restrained.

Cherry Blossoms Reach Final Stage, Six Days Earlier Than Average

Cherry blossoms have begun to bloom in Wakkanai and Kushiro, marking the near completion of Japan's cherry blossom front for 2025.

Lack of Sleep After Golden Week May Signal Sleep Disorder, Experts Warn

As many in Japan returned to work or school on May 7th following the Golden Week holiday, a growing number are reporting post-holiday fatigue and sleep deprivation—conditions that experts warn may point to deeper sleep-related issues.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

First and Second Grade Report Cards to Be Discontinued at Gifu Elementary Schools

Gifu’s Mino City has announced that elementary schools will no longer issue report cards for first and second graders starting this academic year, citing concerns over unnecessary feelings of inferiority and the difficulty of report card language for young children.

Tokyo International School to Relocate to Takanawa Gateway City in 2026

Tokyo International School has announced plans to relocate to a new, purpose-built campus in Takanawa Gateway City, with the move scheduled for August 2026. The relocation marks a major milestone in the school's growth strategy, aimed at expanding its educational offerings and embracing Tokyo’s emerging innovation district.

Number of Children in Japan Falls for 44th Straight Year

Japan’s child population has declined for the 44th consecutive year, reaching the lowest level since comparable records began in 1950, according to government estimates released ahead of Children's Day on May 5th.

Head Lice Are Spreading Again in Japan's Schools

Head lice, small parasitic insects that feed on blood from the scalp, are once again spreading among children in Japan as physical contact increases following the COVID-19 pandemic. In Sapporo, where outbreaks have been reported in schools, local officials are urging caution.

Everything You Need to Know About Medical Certificate Online 2025

A medical certificate, which is frequently a straightforward document, has several vital functions and is important. It mainly certifies a person's health and is essential in several circumstances, including school enrollment, employment applications, and even acquiring legal licenses.