Center for Collections

• As the core research institution for natural history and the history of science and technology in Japan, the Museum's primary collection targets are specimens, materials, and living collections related to natural history, as well as historical materials for science and technology concerning the history of science, technology, and industry. This collection spans a wide range of categories, including animals, plants, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, human skeletal remains, and materials on the history of science and technology.
• The primary collection areas for specimens, materials, and living collections related to natural history are Japan, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Marine collections are primarily from the waters around the Japanese Archipelago and the western North Pacific. In terms of historical materials for science and technology, the focus is mainly on Japan, but overseas materials are also acquired as needed.
• Collection activities are primarily carried out by curators and research assistants in their respective fields, in accordance with research plans for basic and integrated research.
• To build on the Museum's strengths and address its weaknesses, the Center for Collections collaborates with each research department to collect materials from regions and periods not previously represented in the collection and to enrich its holdings with taxonomic groups it currently lacks. We also accept donations from museums, universities and other research institutions, researchers, and individual collectors through the Natural History Specimen Safety Net.
• In terms of historical materials for science and technology, we accept donations from museums, universities and other research institutions, companies, and individuals. The Center for the History of Japanese Industrial Technology collaborates with industry associations, academic societies, and companies to collect information on historical materials on industrial technology. The information obtained through these activities is shared with the Department of Science to facilitate the conservation of socially important materials and the acquisition of new collections.
• Academically valuable specimens, materials, and living collections that are for sale are purchased after an evaluation of their academic merit and price by curators in the relevant fields and the Center for Collections. For materials related to science, the Center for the History of Japanese Industrial Technology also participates in the evaluation process where necessary.

1. Collection Policy for Each Research Field

1) Zoology

• To build an inventory of organisms in Japan, we collect specimens primarily through fieldwork, focusing on animals that inhabit Japan and its surrounding regions and seas.
• We prioritize collecting specimens from underrepresented taxonomic groups and localities not yet represented in our collection. For taxonomic groups in which we have no in-house experts, we acquire specimens by collaborating with museums and research institutions in Japan and abroad, working with external researchers and accepting donations.
• We aim to compile information on all species native to Japan, including their classifications, phylogeny, and DNA, while also expanding our collection of images and other materials.
• We will also build our collection by acquiring specimens from around the world—primarily from neighboring Asian countries—to better understand Japan's fauna and biodiversity, explore their origins, and contribute to their conservation.

2) Botany

• To build an inventory of organisms in Japan and surrounding Asian regions, we collect specimens and materials from all eukaryotes other than animals and some prokaryotes—namely seed plants, ferns, mosses, algae, lichens, and fungi.
• Through field surveys and specimen exchanges, we prioritize collecting specimens from unrepresented taxonomic groups and localities. In collaboration with museums and universities both in Japan and abroad, we also aim to compile data on the classification, phylogeny, DNA, and metabolic products of species in Japan and surrounding Asian regions.
• To deepen our understanding of the biodiversity and co-evolution of organisms including plants and fungi in Japan and surrounding Asian regions, we collaborate with museums, universities, and botanical gardens in Japan and abroad to collect plants and fungal specimens from all taxonomic groups.
• For seed plants and ferns, we study the biological characteristics of our living collection, particularly those that are endangered and endemic species from Japan, to gather fundamental information for their conservation.

3) Geology and Paleontology

• We focus on collecting rocks and minerals from the Japanese archipelago, while also extending our scope to include surrounding regions. We actively collect specimens of new species and those from unrepresented localities. In collaboration with museums and universities in Japan, we also aim to understand information on all mineral specimens from Japan.
• To elucidate the relationship between biotic evolution and paleoenvironment and paleoecology throughout geological time, we collect fossils of flora and fauna, as well as microfossils, from the Japanese archipelago and its surrounding regions. We also actively accept fossil collections held by individuals and universities.
• We serve as the primary Asian hub for the international organization, the Micropaleontology Reference Center (MRC), and collaborate with universities and research institutions in Japan to systematically collect microfossils and related materials.

4) Anthropology

• We collect important fossil specimens to understand human evolution, origins, and expansion. For foreign specimens with export restrictions, we also collect intricate replicas and 3D data obtained using equipment such as CT scanners.
• In collaboration with boards of education across Japan, we collect ancient human skeletal remains from the Paleolithic to the Edo period to clarify the formation process and life history of the populations of the Japanese archipelago.

5) Science

• To preserve the legacy of Japan's science, technology, and industry and contribute to their sustainable development, we systematically collect relevant materials and information. For historical materials on industrial technology, we promote initiatives for the conservation of socially important materials, such as by conducting location surveys in addition to their collection.
• In collaboration with domestic stakeholders and related organizations, we systematically collect historical materials for science and technology and related information in Japan, as well as relevant materials and information from overseas. We also collaborate with science and engineering museums and other relevant institutions in Japan and abroad to build a network for sharing information on materials.

2. Genetic Resource Collection

• At the Center for Molecular Biodiversity Research, we comprehensively collect, store, and manage tissue samples, extracted DNA, voucher specimens, and DNA sequence data, focusing primarily on organisms found in Japan. Through these efforts, we aim to enhance our collection to promote DNA research and build a framework that makes these resources available to researchers in related fields.
• At the Tsukuba Botanical Garden, we utilize our cultivation fields and tissue culture facilities to promote ex-situ conservation, focusing on endangered and Japanese endemic plants, and strive to secure individual plants that can be used for purposes such as reintroduction into the wild.

3. Compliance with International Treaties

• When acquiring and utilizing specimens and materials, especially genetic resources (including biological specimens), we comply with all relevant treaties, laws, and regulations, such as the "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora," "Convention on Biological Diversity," and the "Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity."
• Any benefits arising from the use of genetic resources shall be shared fairly and equitably with their provider countries and other stakeholders. Further details will be stipulated separately.

4. Acceptance through the Natural History Specimen Safety Net

• For natural history specimens and living collections that require permanent storage as part of the national collection but have become difficult to maintain at their current universities or museums, we will actively work to accept them through the operation of the Natural History Specimen Safety Net—a collaborative network established with other natural history museums to prevent the loss and dispersal of these valuable materials.
• As an emergency measure, we will accept and work to conserve important collections, such as those of endangered species, that other botanical gardens in Japan have found difficult to maintain.

5. Acceptance through the Network of Science and Engineering Museums

• To prevent the loss and dispersal of valuable science and engineering materials, we will actively acquire those requiring permanent storage as part of the national collection—particularly from science and engineering museums, universities, research institutions, companies, and individuals that find continued storage difficult. This will be achieved through collaboration with networks of science and engineering museums, academic societies, and industry organizations.

• While preservation methods vary for different specimens and materials, all specimens and materials must be permanently preserved in good condition. For living collections, every effort must be made to prevent their death.
• Collection managers (Note 1) are responsible for managing and maintaining the proper environment in specimen and material rooms and cultivation fields. They must also implement various measures, such as incorporating the findings of preservation science research, and establish systems to ensure that specimens, materials, and living collections are readily available for use.
• To ensure the proper preservation of the national collection, which is extensive in both quality and quantity, we will secure the necessary storage space, taking into account the specific characteristics of each field. In doing so, we will also consider making the specimens, materials, and living collections accessible to the public, for example, by developing storage facilities that also serve as exhibition spaces.
• We will operate the "Natural History Specimen Safety Net" in collaboration with member organizations to prevent the loss of valuable collections in Japan.
• As the core of the "National Network of Botanic Gardens for the Conservation of Plant Diversity," we will collaborate with botanical gardens and other related institutions in Japan to systematically preserve the nation's important collections, including endangered species.

*Note 1: The term "collection manager" refers to the individuals responsible for collecting, organizing, and storing specimens, materials, and living collections, as stipulated in the Museum's regulation titled "Scope of Materials to be Collected, Organized, and Stored by Curators of the Independent Administrative Institution National Museum of Nature and Science."

• The Museum's collections shall be made available for research, exhibitions, and educational programs, both within and outside the Museum. When using the collections, all users must follow the instructions of the collection manager.
• Use of specimens, materials, and living collections may be restricted depending on factors like their condition and the quantity preserved.
• The procedures for the loan, exchange, and transfer of collections shall be stipulated separately.
• To promote the use and application of our collections, the Museum strives to acquire new knowledge through the examination of collected specimens and re-examination of existing ones, working to maximize the value of our specimens and materials. In addition to the morphology and collection data of specimens, the Museum will also strive to comprehensively acquire and utilize new types of data.

• Leveraging a wide range of data, we aim to build a leading national scientific digital archive that promotes the use of not only the physical specimens themselves but also their associated information. We will also disseminate information to the scientific community and society through external digital archives such as Japan Search and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), thereby contributing to the promotion of open science.
• We will advance the digitization of information on our specimens, materials, and living collections. We will also enhance our public web pages and open data, such as the Collection Database of Specimens and Materials, to actively disseminate this information. However, restrictions may be placed on the information disclosed, depending on the nature of the specimens, materials, and living collections, or for administrative reasons.
• In terms of the publishing of information on natural history specimens, in collaboration with science museums nationwide, we will work on developing a system that enables cross-searching of their location data through the operation of the Science Museum Net (S-Net), going beyond publishing information on specimens from the Museum only.
• For historical materials on industrial technology, we will conduct location surveys to identify the locations of those held by companies, individuals, and science museums, while also enhancing and publishing our databases. In coordination with other institutions and based on a clear division of roles, we will promote the preservation and use of these socially important materials.
• We will establish a framework to communicate the importance of specimens and to highlight our commitment to their proper maintenance, management, and use.

• The academic value of a specimen or material is considered significantly diminished if it is found to be severely damaged, if a living collection has died, or if it cannot be linked to essential information, such as collection data. In such cases, the collection manager may dispose of the specimens and materials after following the prescribed procedures.

• This basic policy will be reviewed as necessary in conjunction with the preparation of the medium-term plan.