4.1.5 Japan

Since 1950, Japan has implemented the Law on the Protection of Cultural Property.In 1975, it was amended to designate the important preservation district and historic building groups as national properties, including historic personalities’ former residences.^[21]In Japan, these former residence management agencies are divided into state management, regional management, and community management levels.Some associations and social corporations can also manage these historic houses.For example, the former residence of Japanese novelist Shiga Naoya is managed by an educational institution Nara Gakuen University.^[22]In the process of protecting former residences, original condition restoration is the most important work.For instance, to protect the former residence of the famous educator Yukichi Fukuzawa in the city of Nakatsu in Ōita Prefecture, it spent three years removed the elements added in later periods, trying to restore the original condition of his living place.Yukichi Fukuzawa’s former residence where Fukuzawa grew up until 19 years old.It is now a registered National Cultural Heritage Site (Fig.4-11).In order to obtain funds for the maintenance and development of the residence, tourism economy related to the famous former residence is an effective means.Many admirers of historic personalities travel around Japan, visiting their idols’ former residences, thereby experiencing the details of their lives.Because this residence is a thatched dwelling which visitors can only enjoy the view of outside instead of stepping into the interior space, next to Fukuzawa’s former Residence, Fukuzawa Memorial Museum was established to display this personality’s culture and accommodate the tourists.^[23]

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Figure 4-11.Yukichi’s Residence in Nakatsu