The Japanese government recognises that cultural properties are essential for people to accurately understand their history and culture. In addition, it is deemed extremely important to appropriately preserve and utilise cultural properties since they serve as the basis for enriching and developing Japanese culture in the future.

In this context, the national government promotes the designation, selection and registration of cultural properties as National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, Important Intangible Cultural Properties, Important Tangible/Intangible Folk Cultural Properties, Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monuments in accordance with the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties (1950).