Natural History Museum as a Center of Culture

Abstract

 As a researcher of paleontology and marine biology, i.e., natural history, I notice striking differences between natural history museums in the United States and Europe and those in Japan. In common with foreign natural history museums, basic tasks, such collecting specimens and conducting related research, should be done in Japanese natural history museums in order to keep the museums energetic and to support the future of natural history. Have recent government revisions to the Museum Act contributed to the future of natural history museums? Natural history museums can serve as cultural centers for their localities. Therefore, there should be increased involvement and contributions by local governments, national government, and general public to natural history museums, especially to support their basic functions.