Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties

, also known as Tobunken, is a semi-governmental entity which focuses on the preservation of Japan's cultural heritage of objects, artworks and writings.
"Tobunken" is an Independent Administrative Institution (IAI).
History.
"Tobunken" was founded in 1930 as the Art Research Institute.
In 1952 "Tobunken" was reorganized into the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.
A department of restoration was added in 1973 and an archive set up in 1977.
A program for international cooperation was set up in 1993.
In 2001, the Tokyo Institute and the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties merged.
In 2007, the Research Institutes were merged with the Tokyo National Museum, the Kyoto National Museum, the Nara National Museum and the Kyushu National Museum.