National Museum of Ethnology Transitions to Direct Management System Following National Museum Corporation Dissolution

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced the transition of the National Museum of Ethnology to direct national management following the dissolution of the Inter-University Research Institute Corporation National Museum of Ethnology. This reorganization, effective from April 2025, transforms the museum from an independent administrative corporation to a facility under direct ministry supervision. The museum, established in 1977 in Osaka, houses approximately 345,000 artifacts and 700,000 multimedia materials documenting global cultural diversity. The transition aims to strengthen governmental support for ethnological research and cultural preservation while maintaining the museum's role as Japan's premier ethnological research institution. Under the new structure, the museum will continue its dual mission of academic research and public education, with enhanced coordination with national cultural policies. The reorganization includes provisions for maintaining current research programs, international collaborations, and public exhibition activities. Staff employment conditions and research funding mechanisms will be adjusted to align with national civil service standards while preserving the institution's academic autonomy and research capabilities.