DRAFT
Dr. Seiichiro Takahashi
Chairman, Cultural Properties
Protection Commission
Education Ministry
No.4 3-chome, Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Dear Dr. Takahashi:
Your attention is invited to arrangements made by Civil Information and Education Section, General Headquarters, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, for a National Leaders Project titled "Museum Education" as part of the 1950 GARIOA Exchange of Persons Program.
The Museum Education Project will be sponsored in the United States by the Institute of International Education. Funds will be provided for three Japanese qualified by reason of experience in museum administration and having a knowledge of English to visit various types of museums in the United States over a 60-day, period to study the administrative organization and technical services of American museums in order that they may become better acquainted with modern American methods of museum administration. A secondary purpose of the project is to enable the participants to study the facilities of American museums for extension work, especially in connection with school programs and adult education.
Since the Museum Education Project was drawn up prior to establishment of the Cultural Properties Protection Commission, the Religions and Cultural Resources Division of Civil Information and Education Section invited three Japanese prominent in museum circles to form a committee for selection of participants. This committee consisted of the following persons: Mr. kinji Fujikawa, Chief of the Administrative Division, National Museum; Dr. Naoteru Ueno, President of the Fine Arts University; and Mr. Eiichiro Ishida, Director of the Institute of Ethnology. The above committee screened several candidates and recommended the following staff members of the National Museum as participants in the project: Mr. Kikuo Atarashi, Mr. Tomoyuki Yamanobe, and Mr. Ichiro Yawata.
In view of the recent establishment of the Cultural Properties Protection Commission, it is considered advisable to bring this project officially to the attention of your Commission in order to secure suitable accreditation of the proposed participants as well as information as to the manner in which they may serve upon their return to Japan so that their experience may be effectively utilized in the administration of Japanese museums.
It is therefore requested that you inform me at your earliest convenience regarding the suitability of the candidates selected by the above committee and regarding the use the Cultural Properties Protection Commission may intend to make of the participants upon their return to Japan.
Sincerely yours,
(for Col. Nugent's sig)
Memo for Record: