Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > Japanese Government Policies in Education, Science, Sports and Culture 2000 > Part 2 Chapter 8 Section 6 3

The registration system of cultural properties is intended for buildings which were completed at least 50 years ago and articles not designated as cultural properties by national and local governments. Following a report submitted by the Council for the Protection of Cultural Properties, such cultural properties are recorded in the Cultural Property Original Ledger by the Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture.

In order to maintain this system, the national government provides subsidies to the owners of these registered buildings to cover half of the design and administration expenses incurred in performing conservation and repair work on the properties. In terms of tax-related support measures, in accordance with the municipality's circumstances, registered buildings are eligible for a reduction in property taxes, and can also receive low-interest loans from the Development Bank of Japan.

As of June 2000, 1,778 structures, including the Sendai Aoshita #1 Dam (Miyagi Prefecture), the Unyo Maru (sailing ship) at the Tokyo University of Fisheries (Tokyo), the Haneage Bridge at Nagoya Port (Aichi Prefecture) and the Kagoshima City Hall Main Building (Kagoshima Prefecture), have been recorded in the Cultural Property Original Ledger.