The Cultural Affairs Agency has come under public criticism for slipshod preservation work on the Takamatsuzuka ancient burial mound in Asuka, Nara Prefecture, which is well known for its colorful painted frescoes. Not only has the agency failed to prevent the formation of mold in the mound -- which has caused the paintings to deteriorate -- but it also has been reported that the agency tried to cover up some destructive work habits of its preservation workers.

If the agency's true goal is to save this precious cultural asset for future centuries, it should publicly release all relevant information about its activities. Only through a public airing of such information will the agency be able to gain the sorely needed assistance, encouragement and advice from interested parties in various public as well as private sectors of society.

The Takamatsuzuka burial site is important because it is one of only two ancient burial mounds in Japan that have maintained colorful frescoes. The paintings inside Takamatsuzuka were discovered in March 1972. The mound, estimated to have had an original diameter of 23 meters, is believed to date back to between the late seventh and early eighth centuries. Kitora, the other burial mound containing colorful frescoes, dates back to the same period and is located about 1 km south of the Takamatsuzuka mound. It is about 14 meters across and its frescoes were first noted in November 1983.