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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1993 > CHAPTER 4 �5 3 (3)

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Chapter 4 Culture Connects the World
�5 Cultural Policy in Foreign Countries
3 Cultural Policy in France
(3) Protection of cultural properties


Regarding the protection of cultural properties in France, it is characteristic of the French Government that it keeps many historic monuments in its possession, and that it carries out their protection under the nation's centralized system. The system of designating cultural properties also has a long tradition, but the present system is based on the 1913 law concerning historical monuments; the 1930 law for the protection of natural monuments and of artistic, historical, scientific, legendary or picturesque scenic beauty; the 1941 law concerning restriction of archaeological excavations and the 1973 law concerning urban planning. Under these laws, the protection of historical heritage is regarded as the most important task. Restoration and repair of historic buildings has been taking place under a five year plan since 1988.

The 1913 law concerning historical monuments prescribes as the objects of protection those movable and immovable properties which are in need of conservation from historic and artistic viewpoints. When an article to be designated is privately owned, it is stipulated that the article be designated by a ministerial ordinance when the owner's approval is obtainable, and by a governmental ordinance after agreement of the Conseil d'Etat (a compound organization combining the Cabinet Legislation Bureau and the Supreme Court of Administrative Litigation) when the owner's approval is not obtainable. In the case of a designated immovable property, restrictions are placed on alterations of current state, but repairs may be made at the government's expense. In the case of a designated movable property, alterations of current state are restricted and their exportation abroad is prohibited. In the case of an article which is not in need of immediate designation, yet is still worthy of pres!

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n, this article can be protected by being registered in a supplementary list in accordance with a ministerial ordinance, whose aim is to compensate for the present selective policy which s built into the designation process.

The 1930 law for the protection of natural monuments and of artistic, historical, scientific, legendary or picturesque scenic beauty stipulates that these properties, which are considered to have universal, value and to be worthy of conservation and maintenance are designated and adequately protected by such means as the placing of restrictions on altrations of their current state.

The aim of the 1941 law concerning restrictions of archaeological excavations is to protect buried cultural properties. According to this law, excavations other than those excavations and tentative excavations conducted5y the national government require permission, and must be carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Communication.

The 1973 law concerning urban planning has regulations corresponding to the Japanese system for the protection for Groups of Historic Buildings. Certain blocks or buildings situated within these blocks which are historically or artistically distinctive are to be designated as protected areas. The protected areas are conserved under long term plans, by governmental ordinance, and restrictions are placed on alterations of the buildings' or blocks of buildings' current state. This law is an effective means of preserving historical areas against city redevelopment. (Note) The exchange rate of a French franc is calculated at 23 yen.


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