World Wide Diplomatic Archives Index: Japan
Legislation
According to a law passed in 1976, documents can be disclosed to the public after 30 years. In practice, the Diplomatic Record Office (opened in 1971) publishes collections of documents on a schedule that is supposed to follow that 30 year line, but in fact materials are published at an uneven rate. As of 2005, the DRO had published 19 sets of documents, with the latest set covering the years 1951-1976. Documents from the mid-19th century until 1945 are available to be viewed at the DRO, also according to law.
Location
The Diplomatic Record Office: 5-3, 1-chome, Azabudai, Minatoku, Tokyo, 106-0041
Procedures
No prior contact is needed to make use of the archives; application can be made upon arrival. Researchers should bring multiple forms of identification, including an institutional I.D. There are finding aids for all materials at the DRO. There is no fee to access the collections.
Published Documents
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the series, Nihongaikobunsho (Documents on Japanese Foreign Policy), and is currently at work on the post-Second World War period.