Repatriation of World War II Artifacts

2016/12/8

World War II Artifacts

The Government of Japan, with the recognition that World War II Artifacts would be most appreciated by the original bearer or surviving kin of them, is promoting return of those artifacts. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, in this connection, will attempt to locate the original bearer of a WWII artifact or surviving kin of the original bearer provided the party requesting the investigation agrees to tender the item to Embassy or Consulate General of Japan without demand for compensation, if and when the search is successfully completed. Putting up WWII artifacts with names of war dead for internet auction would offend feelings of war bereaved and your cooperation will be much appreciated. The procedure for the return of such artifacts is as follows:
 

1. Request

Email, mail, or fax the completed REQUEST FORM ( MS WORD , PDF ) to Consulate-General of Japan in Boston along with photos or photocopies of the artifact. Any identifying markings should be enlarged and clearly legible. Complete details, including how and where the item was recovered, are crucial to the success of the investigation and should therefore be described in full on the REQUEST FORM. In the absence of inscriptions indicating the name and address of the original bearer of the artifact or aforementioned details, reaching a conclusive outcome will be highly unlikely. Please be advised that all photos and photocopies of the artifact(s) cannot be returned.
  • Email: repatriation@bz.mofa.go.jp

  • Mailing Address:
    ATTENTION: WWII Artifacts
    Consulate-General of Japan in Boston
    Federal Reserve Plaza, 22nd Floor, 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02110

  • FAX: 1-617-542-1329  

2. Investigation

The materials will be forwarded to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for investigation. Investigation typically take several months, but in some cases may take a year or more to complete.
 

3. Repatriation

You will be notified as soon as the investigation is conclusive. You will then be asked to send or bring the artifact(s) to Consulate-General of Japan in Boston . The consulate will only receive the actual items at this stage of the process and only if the item has been traced back to its origin. Due to rigid legal codes, military swords must be sent directly from the individual requesting the investigation to the original bearer of the artifact or their surviving kin.
 

4. Jurisdiction

Consulate-General of Japan in Boston can only accept requests from individuals residing within its jurisdiction, which includes MA, RI, CT, NH, VT, ME. Those residing in other areas are asked to contact their regional Consulate office (https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/consulate-guide.html) Should you have any further questions, please contact Consulate-General of Japan in Boston by phone or email.
 

Inquiries

Phone: 1-617-973-9772
Email:repatriation@bz.mofa.go.jp

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