Kozai, Shigeru; Kono, Toshiyuki --- "Japan" [2014] ELECD 288; in Nafziger, A.R. James; Paterson, Kirkwood Robert (eds), "Handbook on the Law of Cultural Heritage and International Trade" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2014) 257

Book Title: Handbook on the Law of Cultural Heritage and International Trade

Editor(s): Nafziger, A.R. James; Paterson, Kirkwood Robert

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781781007334

Section: Chapter 12

Section Title: Japan

Author(s): Kozai, Shigeru; Kono, Toshiyuki

Number of pages: 14

Abstract/Description:

In the confusion of natural disasters or armed conflicts, cultural objects are often subject to theft, illegal trafficking, and sale at a very high price especially in developed countries. In this connection, criticisms and legal claims have been leveled against developed countries including Japan. Against this background, Japan became a party to two important agreements and two related protocols related to the cultural heritage. On September 9, 2002, Japan became a party to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property [hereinafter the "1970 UNESCO Convention"]. On September 10, the day on which the Convention entered into force for Japan, two domestic laws to secure implementation of the Convention were enacted: the Act on Control of the Illicit Export and Import and Other Matters of Cultural Property (Act No. 81 of 2002) and the Act for the Partial Amendment of the Act for the Protection of Cultural Property (Act No. 82 of 2002). They came into effect on April 1, 2005. Later, in 2007, Japan ratified the 1954 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (hereinafter the "1954 Hague Convention"). In the same year, Japan also became a party to both of the two Protocols to the Hague Convention. Accordingly, the Act for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Act No. 32 of 2007), implementing the Hague Convention and two Protocols, was enacted in the same year.