Intangible cultural heritage is safeguarded in various ways in Japan. In this lecture, Mr. Shigeyuki Miyata showcases the broad range of initiatives that have been implemented at the national and local level to document, transmit and revitalize intangible cultural heritage. Under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, valuable intangible cultural heritage are designated as “intangible cultural properties” or “intangible folk-cultural properties”, while traditional skills and crafts that are essential for maintaining cultural properties are selected as “traditional techniques for conservation of cultural properties”.

This lecture outlines the Japanese system for protecting the intangible cultural heritage. Mr. Miyata also provides historical background about the enactment and amendments to the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, including designation, recognition, and selection procedures, as well as safeguarding measures. He concludes that the revitalization and respect for cultural heritage are vital for Japanese culture in the future.

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