The year 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of The Physical Society of Japan, and 2027 marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the organization from which it originated. To commemorate this occasion, the Society has decided to begin recognizing "The Physical Heritage of Japan. We will certify experimental apparatuses, books, drafts, notebooks, and other written materials, places, and buildings related to achievements in the history of physics as Physical Heritage and cooperate in their preservation, as well as develop a digital archive.

What is Japan Physics Heritage?

The term "JHPH" refers to any of the following

1. Items of particularly high academic value that represent important results in physics research accomplished in Japan or mainly by Japanese nationals.
2. Particularly important ones that are indispensable for understanding the transition of the state of research, education, etc. of physics in Japan.

In addition, there are two categories of physical heritage in Japan

1. Historic site/traditional site: Remains of places where important research, education, etc. was conducted.
2. Historical materials: Documents or equipment, devices, etc. related to important research, education, etc.

Certification Process

Recognition of the Physical Heritage of Japan is made by the Board of Directors based on the candidates recommended by the Physical Heritage Committee. The Physical Heritage Committee may solicit proposals from its members regarding the candidates to be recommended. The committee also requests the Subcommittee for Physical Heritage Research to conduct a detailed survey of the proposed properties.

The first accreditation will be conducted in 2026 and 2027, the Memorial Year, and will be announced at each annual conference as Phase I and Phase II, respectively. The second and subsequent annual accreditations will be held once a year beginning in 2028.

The deadline for the first phase of the call for proposals is November 30, 2025. Proposals should be sent using the dedicated form. Proposals for the first phase of the Call for Proposals are limited to three per member. In addition, please check the email sent to members to submit proposals.

Accreditation System and Structure

The Physical Society of Japan has established the Regulations for the Physical Heritage of Japan, the Regulations for the Physical Heritage Committee, and the Regulations for the Physical Heritage Survey Subcommittee, as of September 12, 2025 (all effective October 1, 2025). The members of the Physical Heritage Committee are as follows (as of the end of October 2025).

Member of the Physical Heritage Committee

Shuji Hasegawa (The University of Tokyo) [Chair]
Naoo Hayakawa (Kyoto University) [Vice Chair]
Aya Aya Ishihara (Chiba University)
Nobumichi Aruga (Hitotsubashi University) ^*
Hiroshi Watanabe (Keio University) ^**
Takuji Okamoto (The University of Tokyo)

*Chair of the History of Physics Resource Committee
**Chair of the Public Relations Committee
***Director in Charge