About the Program
What Is Physics Heritage?
Japan Physics HeritageThis program aims to preserve and pass on historical materials related to physics, as well as to promote public awareness of physics’ contributions to society and foster a sense of pride in the achievements of our predecessors. Here, we will introduce its definition, classifications, certification process, and organizational structure.
Science is culture.
The legacy of thought and activity left by Japanese physics,
into the next 150 years.
Japan Physics HeritageThis program aims to preserve and pass on historical materials related to physics, promote public awareness of physics’ contributions to society, and foster a sense of pride in the achievements of our predecessors. It covers various forms of “the memory of physics” related to research, education, and other fields.
Japan Physics HeritageItems defined as such are those that fall into one of the following categories.
- Research in physics that demonstrates significant achievements carried out in Japan or led primarily by Japanese researchers, and that is of particularly high academic value.
- Among the elements that are indispensable for understanding the evolution of physics research, education, and related activities in Japan, these are particularly important.
Japan Physics HeritageThere are two categories: “Historic Sites and Historic Landmarks” (Category 1), which are the remains of places where important research, education, and other activities took place; and “Historical Materials” (Category 2), which include documents, equipment, and devices related to those sites. Some heritage sites may fall into both categories.
Two Classes
Class 1 and Class 2
— Certification Categories
Class I
Category 1 — Historic Sites and Historic Landmarks
Historic Sites
Ruins of a site where important research, education, and other activities took place. They preserve the memories of the land.
Class II
Category 2 — Historical Materials
Historical Materials
Documents, equipment, and devices related to important research, education, and other fields. We preserve the actual artifacts that tell the story of history.
You can view the designated heritage sites by filtering them by category in the list of designated heritage sites.
Certification Process
Certification Process
For certification, the Physics HeritageCommittee selects and recommends candidates, and the Board of Directors then grants final certification. Candidates may be nominated by members, and the submitted properties are evaluated after a detailed review by the Physics HeritageSubcommittee.
Certification Schedule
The first round of certifications will be conducted in two phases—in 2026 and 2027, which are commemorative years—and the results will be announced at the annual conferences for each year as Phase 1 and Phase 2, respectively. Starting in 2028, the certification process is scheduled to take place once a year.
Call for Proposals
We are currently accepting proposals for the first round of the second certification cycle. The deadline is November 30, 2026.
For details on the recruitment, please refer to the “Announcements” section in the November issue of the association newsletter or the email sent to members.
*Only members of the Physical Society of Japan may submit proposals. (Each member may submit up to two proposals.)
*We also warmly welcome resubmissions of proposals that were not approved in the past.
Regulations & Committee
Certification System and Framework
On September 12, 2025, the Physical Society of Japan enacted three sets of regulations: the “ Japan Physics Heritage,” the “ Physics Heritage,” and the “ Physics Heritage” (all effective October 1, 2025). Accreditation will be conducted in accordance with these regulations under the auspices of the Physics Heritage, the Physics Heritage, and the Board of Directors.
Physics HeritageThe members of the committee are as follows (as of October 2026).
Physics HeritageCommittee Member
- Shuji Hasegawa (University of Tokyo) [Chair]
- Nao Hayakawa (Kyoto University) [Vice Chair]
- Nobutoki Ariga (Hitotsubashi University)
- Yasuno Ishihara (Chiba University)
- Masatoshi Namiki (Takachiho University) [Chair of the Committee on Materials for the History of Physics]
- Hiroshi Watanabe (Keio University) [Chair of the Public Relations Committee]
- Takuji Okamoto (University of Tokyo) [Executive Director]