Cooperation Memorandum Signed Between the Archives of Lithuania and Japan
On June 8–11, the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, is on an official visit to Japan. He is accompanied by a large delegation of representatives from national institutions and businesses. Representing Lithuania’s state archival system is the Chief Archivist of Lithuania, Prof. Dr. Inga Zakšauskienė.
On June 10, in Tokyo, the Chief Archivist of Lithuania and the President of the National Archives of Japan, Mr. Kamata Kaoru, signed a historic Memorandum of Cooperation between the Lithuanian and Japanese archives.
This agreement marks a new stage in bilateral relations and establishes long-term institutional cooperation in the fields of document preservation, research, education, and cultural initiatives. The memorandum provides for knowledge exchange, joint academic conferences, archival research, and the sharing of best practices in document restoration and digitization.
The memorandum also serves as a symbolic gesture, affirming that in today’s world, the protection of historical memory and respect for democratic values remain fundamental principles of international cooperation.
“We live in times when international friendship is more important than ever. The world around us is unpredictable, full of geopolitical tensions and challenges to values. In this context, the partnership between Lithuania and Japan is not just geographical or strategic – it is grounded in shared values: respect for memory, a commitment to truth, and the belief that peace must be constantly nurtured.
Partnership does not mean the absence of challenges – it is the decision to move forward together despite them,” says Chief Archivist of Lithuania, Prof. Dr. Inga Zakšauskienė.
According to her, state archives are infrastructures of knowledge, values, and collective responsibility, capable of linking the past with today’s challenges and holding great potential to foster civic awareness – something increasingly relevant in today’s world.
