Using the Archives

• How to Use
• Reading Room Rules
• Obtaining Copies of Records
• Business Days and Hours
• Contact Us
• Visiting the Archives
• Access
• Conditions for Accessing Archival Records

How to Use

“Request for Use” and “Request for Use under Simplified Process”

1. 
   Step 1.Search by catalogs

   Please select the records (file numbers and file names) you wish to use from the 「歴史的公文目録」 “Catalogs of Archival Records” (available in Japanese), based on your research topic.
   You can efficiently search records by downloading the CSV catalog and using the filter function to narrow down the records.
2. 
   Step 2.Contact via email

   Please contact us in advance via email or phone, etc., providing the file numbers and file names of the records you selected in Step 1 and/or an outline of your research, including needs and purposes, etc. (Note that an outline of your work is not required when applying using the “Request for Use under Simplified Process”*.)

   * The “Request for Use under Simplified Process” is applicable when screening to determine whether there is any information to be restricted has already been completed and no further screening is required (in cases where the 「利用制限の区分」 “Restriction Classification” in the “Catalogs of Archival Records” is 「全部利用」 “Full Access” or 「一部利用」 “Partial Access”).

   Contact information

   Email : imes.archives(at)boj.or.jp
   Replace (at) with @.
   Tel : +81-3-3277-2151
   
3. 
   Step 3.Preparation period

   The Archives will search and specify records to be used.
   The Archives will contact you when we are ready.

• When screening to determine whether there is any information to be restricted is required (in cases where the “Restriction Classification” in the “Catalogs of Archival Records” is 「要審査」 “Review Required”).

  ⇒“Request for Use”

• When screening to determine whether there is any information to be restricted has already been completed and no further screening is required (in cases where the “Restriction Classification” in the “Catalogs of Archival Records” is “Full Access” or “Partial Access”*).

  ⇒“Request for Use under Simplified Process”

  *In cases where Archival Records classified as “Partial Access”are used under the“Request for Use under Simplified Process”, the records will be provided based on the results of the previous screening to determine whether there is any information to be restricted. No further screening (such as a new review of the presence or absence of information to be restricted) will take place.
  If you would like to request re-screening to check whether the records you want include any information that needs to be restricted, please submit a 「歴史的公文利用請求書」 “Request for Use Form” (available in Japanese). However, please note that even in such cases, there is no guarantee that the previous screening result will be changed.

Reading Room Rules

• An appointment is required.
• Photocopying is not permitted. Users are permitted to use their own cameras (including cell phones) without a flash to make copies.
• Pencils must be used at all times to prevent any damage to or contamination of the materials.
• No food or drink is permitted in the reading room.
• Bags or other belongings must be placed in a locker and are not permitted to be brought into the reading room.

Obtaining Copies of Records

As noted above, you can obtain a copy for a fee.
You can choose between the following two payment options.

1) Cash payment

Please pay directly at the Archives.

2) Payment by wire transfer to the Japan Post Bank account of the Archives

* If you wish to receive copies of records, the fee cannot be transferred from abroad.
The fee must be transferred within Japan.

• Please pay the fee by money transfer to the bank account stated in the “Request Form for Payment of Copying Fees for Archival Records”.
• The payer is responsible for paying any money transfer fees.
• Please keep the “Receipt of Transfer Payment” issued by the financial institution (proof of payment) until you receive copies of records.

Business Days and Hours

Available except for the following days.

• Saturdays and Sundays
• Holidays stipulated in the Act on National Holidays (Law No. 178 of 1948).
• December 28 to January 4
• Temporary closing days.
  The schedule of temporary closures will be announced on this website in advance.

Business Hours

• 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Contact Us

Address

Archives, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan
2-1-1 Nihonbashi-Hongokucho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo JAPAN 103-8660

Email

imes.archives(at)boj.or.jp
Replace (at) with @.

Tel

+81-3-3277-2151

Visiting the Archives

For security reasons, visitors are required to present valid photo identification.

Access

The Archives reading room (reservation required) is located on the 8th floor of the Annex Building.

Location　1-3-1 Nihonbashi-Hongokucho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
(This is different from the Contact Address above.)

Subway

1-min. walk from Mitsukoshimae Station on the Hanzomon Line (Exit B1)
2-min. walk from Mitsukoshimae Station on the Ginza Line (Exit A5)
6-min. walk from Nihonbashi Station on the Tozai Line (Exit A4)

JR

8-min. walk from Tokyo Station's Nihonbashi Exit
9-min. walk from Kanda Station's South Exit

Conditions for Accessing Archival Records

• Under the Public Records and Archives Management Act, which came into effect on April 1, 2011, all requested records will be screened beforehand to protect the confidentiality of information.
  Some records may not be made available if they include information such as personal information, sensitive information about corporations and other entities, or information posing a potential threat to national and public security, or if they are in poor physical condition or risk being damaged when handled.
  Regarding the availability of a specific record, you are advised to contact the Archives well in advance and before making travel arrangements.

Rules and forms

• Review Criteria for Decisions on Request for Use Archival Records etc. at Bank of Japan Archives, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies (Japanese) (509KB)
• Rules for Use of Bank of Japan Archives, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies (Japanese) (284KB)
• Detailed Rules for Use of Bank of Japan Archives by the Request for Use under Simplified Process, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies (Japanese) (108KB)
• Procedures and Precautions for Using Archival Records at Bank of Japan Archives, Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies (Japanese) (313KB)
• Related Regulations, Forms, etc. (Japanese)

Some of the Archival Records are available in the Online Gallery (Japanese).