Citizen Science and Natural History Museums in Japan

In Japan, organized citizen science (public participation in scientific research) became widespread during the 1970s. Since then, natural history museums (NHMs) have played a significant role in supporting research activities by citizens and in promoting their own projects. In particular, the Friends of the Museum (FoM), a group of people who use museums as a base for learning and supporting museum activities, has functioned as a hub for amateur naturalist activities and has supported citizen science at both individual and organizational levels. Since the 1980s, the number of prefectural and municipal museums has increased, and citizen science has grown in close collaboration with local communities. The development of digital and internet technologies since the 1990s has revolutionized citizen science, and projects that utilize them are also being carried out in NHMs. The methods used, the results obtained, and the philosophy of citizen science embody the same regional focus and research and educational activities as NHMs, and many participants have been involved in collaborations. Future issues include opening data, securing funding, and fostering the next generation. The last in particular is a mission that NHMs are expected to fulfill.