'Japanese Arts Scene Monitor' has reported on the recent evaluation of Japan's four national museums, which were last year re-organised under the umbrella of the Independent Administrative Institution National Museum. The following article has been transcribed with permission from 'Japanese Arts Scene Monitor'. In an attempt to rein in spiralling costs and decreasing visitor numbers, Japan's four national museums were given a major shake-up last year when they were reorganised under the umbrella Independent Administrative Institution National Museum. One of the major changes was that in exchange for more financial autonomy, they would be subject to scrutiny by an independent evaluation committee. The evaluations would have a direct impact on the extent of future funding. Members of the arts community were immediately concerned that the evaluation committee would look only at economic viability and efficiency, and neglect qualitative concerns such as curatorial quality and unprofitable activities such as conservation. However, having just received their first reports, the museums are breathing a collective sigh of relief, as it seems the evaluation committees have proven far more considerate than first thought. The reports consisted of quantitative (A, B or C rankings) and qualitative (written comments) grades for categories such as 'acquisition', 'conservation', 'research' and 'management'. Each exhibition was also evaluated. Kyoto Craft, which took place at the Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, received a C ranking for visitor numbers after only achieving about half of its estimated 20,000 visitors, but the quality of its content brought it up to an overall B. Other exhibitions were faulted for attracting more numbers than they could handle, making it difficult for visitors to appreciate the exhibits. Most museums were instructed to give more attention to promotional activities. The overall impression from the report, however, is a tone of caution. The lack of harsh criticism or groundbreaking directives was probably a result of the methods of evaluation employed: hearings and meetings. However, the committee has a few years to improve. The annual reports are designed simply to monitor each museum's progress towards their three to four year 'mid-term plans'. It is the evaluation of these plans that will determine the fate of the nation's museums.