Tokyo Metropolitan Archives

The Tokyo Metropolitan Archives (東京都公文書館, Tōkyō-to Kōbunshokan) is the archival institution established by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to preserve and provide access to the official records of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and its predecessors, the Tokyo Prefecture (東京府) and Tokyo City (東京市). It traces its origins to the Historical Materials Office (都政史料館) founded in 1952, which integrated the long-running historical compilation project begun in 1902 with the preservation of administrative documents inherited from the prefecture and city. In 1968, this office was merged with part of the Documents Section of the General Affairs Bureau to form the Tokyo Metropolitan Archives, which opened on October 1, 1968. The Archives holds a wide range of materials, including documents from the Tokyo Prefecture and Tokyo City (1868–1943), official documents of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government from 1943 onward, internal publications, books, historical records, maps, and audiovisual materials. Notable holdings include the Tokyo Prefecture and Tokyo City Administrative Documents, designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 2014. The Archives also continues the compilation of the Tokyo City Historical Materials (東京市史稿) and the Tokyo Historical Materials Collection (都史資料集成), a project with over a century of history. Originally located in Minato Ward, the Archives temporarily moved to Setagaya Ward in 2012 due to redevelopment, and in April 2020 relocated to its current purpose-built facility in Kokubunji City, on the former site of the Central Railway Academy. The new building, designed with a "thermos structure" for preservation and a central "Archive Wall" made of laminated Tama cedar, received the Good Design Award in 2021 and the BCS Prize in 2022. The Archives serves as a key institution for historical research and public access to Tokyo's administrative heritage.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Archives traces its origins to the historical compilation project initiated by Tokyo City in 1902. In April 1902, the Tokyo City Assembly passed a resolution to compile the history of Tokyo, and the first volume of the Tokyo City Historical Materials (東京市史稿) was published in 1911. In November 1952, the Historical Materials Office (都政史料館) was established to integrate the compilation work with the preservation of documents from Tokyo Prefecture and Tokyo City. However, the office's facilities were inadequate for document preservation, and in 1959 the Science Council of Japan issued a recommendation calling for improved preservation of public records by national and local governments. Consequently, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government decided to establish a dedicated archives. On October 1, 1968, the Tokyo Metropolitan Archives was founded by merging the Historical Materials Office and part of the Documents Section of the General Affairs Bureau. The Archives was initially located in Minato Ward, but due to the Shibaura/Takeshiba redevelopment plan, it temporarily relocated in April 2012 to the former Tokyo Metropolitan Tamagawa High School building in Setagaya Ward. On April 1, 2020, it moved to its permanent location in Izumicho, Kokubunji City, on the former site of the Central Railway Academy. The new building was designed with a "thermos structure" (a double-wall system utilizing the heat capacity of building materials) suitable for preserving documents and books, similar to the adjacent Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Library. It features an "Archive Wall" made of laminated Tama cedar, evoking the Kokubunji cliff line, and serves as an exhibition space for electronic content, open shelves, and important cultural properties. The building received the Good Design Award in 2021 and the 63rd BCS Prize in 2022. The Archives' holdings include documents from the Tokyo Prefecture and Tokyo City (1868–1943), official documents of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (from 1943), internal publications, books, historical records, maps, and audiovisual materials. The Tokyo Prefecture and Tokyo City Administrative Documents were designated a Tokyo Tangible Cultural Property in 2003 and a National Important Cultural Property in 2014. Since 1991, the Archives has been microfilming its holdings, and since 2003, it has digitized approximately 16.55 million frames, primarily from the Tokyo Prefecture and City documents and official gazettes. The Archives also continues the compilation of the Tokyo City Historical Materials and the Tokyo Historical Materials Collection (都史資料集成), with the latter covering the period from 1894 to 1945 in its first series (12 volumes, published 1998–2012) and the period from 1943 to the 1950s in its second series (ongoing since 2013).

• 2022

  New building receives 63rd BCS Prize from Japan Federation of Construction Contractors.

• 2021

  New building receives Good Design Award.

• 2020

  Permanent relocation to Kokubunji City, Izumicho (former Central Railway Academy site) on April 1.

• 2014

  Tokyo Prefecture and Tokyo City Administrative Documents designated National Important Cultural Property.

• 2012

  Temporary relocation from Minato Ward to former Tamagawa High School building in Setagaya Ward in April.

• 2011

  Act on Management of Public Documents etc. enacted in April.

• 2005

  In-house viewing via electronic images begins in November.

• 2003

  Digitization of microfilm begins in September; Tokyo Prefecture and City documents designated Tokyo Tangible Cultural Property.

• 1992

  Ordinance on protection of personal information enacted in October.

• 1991

  Full-scale microfilming project begins.

• 1985

  Ordinance on disclosure of Tokyo Metropolitan Government documents enacted.

• 1968

  Tokyo Metropolitan Archives founded on October 1 by merging the Historical Materials Office and part of the Documents Section.

• 1952

  Historical Materials Office (都政史料館) established, integrating compilation and document preservation.

• 1911

  First volume of Tokyo City Historical Materials (皇城篇 第一) published.

• 1902

  Tokyo City Assembly passes resolution to compile Tokyo city history; compilation project begins.

Official archival institution of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, dedicated to the preservation and public access of historical administrative documents and the compilation of Tokyo's official history.

1. 1東京都公文書館 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
2. 2Tokyo Metropolitan Archives - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Tokyo Metropolitan Archives Official Websitesoumu.metro.tokyo.jp