Published: February 4, 2016 by Anna Maloney

In April of this year, Japan celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Public Records and Archives Management Act. Passed in the 2011, the act implemented a uniform management plan for administrative documents; introduced a records schedule; created requirements for reports on the management practice of government ministries; established a system of inspection and recommendation; and funds external professionals and the promotion of historical public records and archives. A recent editorial published in The Japan Times argues that the National Archives of Japan needs a budget increase to properly fulfill the promise of the public’s right to know. How do you think Japan’s law compares to similar acts in North America? What should national archives prioritize in the face of budget restrictions and cuts?