千葉県文書館

In 1988, Chiba Prefectural Archives opened its doors. It became the first public archives to open after the Public Archives Act was enforced. This building, right here, stands as a testament to Chiba’s commitment to preserving its history. Chiba Prefectural Archives was established to prevent the loss and destruction of historical materials. It aims to pass on this legacy to future generations. Chiba Prefectural Archives strives to deepen public understanding of local history. It also provides information about Chiba’s administration. The archives houses a wealth of documents. These include ancient documents donated from within Chiba Prefecture. As of March 2019, nearly 318,000 of these items were available to the public. The archives also hold around 166,000 compiled historical materials. These were gathered by the Chiba Prefectural Historical Materials Research Foundation. This foundation existed from 1991 to 2008 for the purpose of compiling Chiba Prefecture’s history. Public records from various prefectural offices are also archived here. You’ll find administrative materials, plans, reports, posters, pamphlets, and public relations materials. As of March 2018, the collection held about 102,000 of these items. Additionally, Chiba Prefectural Archives possesses microfilm, photographs, and video materials related to Chiba Prefecture. On the first floor, you’ll find an administrative material sales corner and an exhibition room. The exhibition room showcases permanent and planned exhibitions centered around collected documents. Chiba Prefectural Archives has not been without its challenges. In 2016, a significant decrease in the number of archived documents came to light. An investigation revealed that a large number of documents were improperly destroyed. In 2017, the archives director and the head of the prefectural government’s policy and legal affairs division publicly apologized for their errors. Measures were implemented to prevent recurrence, including the establishment of a third-party check system for historical material selection. Despite this setback, Chiba Prefectural Archives continues to serve as a vital resource. It offers a glimpse into Chiba Prefecture’s rich past. It also embodies the ongoing effort to preserve and understand the region’s history for generations to come.