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National Museum of Nature and Science: Exhibition Announcement – Lapis Lazuli First Confirmed in Japan

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Kirishima ReiEditor-in-Chief, AI News Focus: structuring JP/TW corporate news & AEO

Published Jul 9, 2026 11:00 PM ・ Updated Jul 13, 2026 3:11 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

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National Museum of Nature and Science: Exhibition Announcement – Lapis Lazuli First Confirmed in Japan — Image: PR TIMES

⚡ Key Points

The National Museum of Nature and Science will host a special NEWS exhibition from July 14 to September 6, 2026, showcasing lapis lazuli confirmed for the first time in Japan.
The exhibition features comparative displays with Afghan-origin specimens and scientific analysis of their differences.

The National Museum of Nature and Science will host a special NEWS exhibition from July 14 to September 6, 2026, showcasing lapis lazuli confirmed for the first time in Japan. The exhibition features comparative displays with Afghan-origin specimens and scientific analysis of their differences.

PRIMARY SOURCE Original source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001226.000047048.html Distributor: PR TIMES
Published: Jul 9, 2026

The National Museum of Nature and Science (Director: Shin MANABE) will host the 'NEWS Exhibition: Lapis Lazuli First Confirmed in Japan' from Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to Sunday, September 6, 2026.

On Friday, February 27, 2026, the museum issued a press release titled 'Lapis Lazuli Discovered in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture,' announcing the first confirmed discovery of lapis lazuli in Japan, found within Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture.

This press release received extensive media coverage, leading members of the public who viewed the reports to discover over ten additional lapis lazuli samples.

This NEWS exhibition will display the actual specimen of the first lapis lazuli discovered in Japan, alongside a world-famous specimen from Afghanistan, for comparative viewing. The exhibition will also explain the differences between the two, revealed through chemical composition analysis and other scientific methods.

Left: Appearance of the Itoigawa-origin lapis lazuli; right: Polished cross-section of the same specimen.

【Exhibition Period】 July 14 (Tue), 2026 – September 6 (Sun), 2026

【Venue】 National Museum of Nature and Science (7-20 Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo)

Corridor, 3rd Floor, Japanese Gallery

The lapis lazuli found in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture, was discovered within local rock collections—primarily jade—that two individuals had gathered over many years as a hobby. After both collectors passed away, their rock collections were consolidated and acquired by Kotaki Bussan (representative: Kanako Ito), a company specializing in jade. During examination, a blue stone was identified within the collection, prompting the National Museum of Nature and Science to conduct chemical composition analysis and X-ray diffraction testing, which confirmed it as lapis lazuli.

This exhibition will display the actual specimen of Japan’s first confirmed lapis lazuli discovery alongside a specimen from Afghanistan for direct comparison. Differences between the two, revealed through chemical analysis and other scientific techniques, will also be explained.

Second specimen of Itoigawa-origin lapis lazuli Afghanistan-origin lapis lazuli

FACT BOX

Source: PR TIMES
Category: Event

AI 圖像理解（模型對圖片的判讀，非新聞原文事實） / AI image understanding / AI 画像理解

模型對圖片的判讀，非新聞原文事實 / Model interpretation of images, not source-article facts / モデルによる画像判読で、ニュース原文の事実ではありません

以下為AI對圖片的理解非新聞原文事實

The images display various lapis lazuli samples, including rough and cut specimens from Itoigawa, Japan, and a specimen from Badakhshan, Afghanistan. They highlight the visual differences between the Japanese and Afghan lapis lazuli.

An irregularly shaped rock with blue mineral patches, identified as Itoigawa lapis lazuli, is displayed on a dark background.
A cut and polished surface of the Itoigawa lapis lazuli specimen reveals vibrant blue minerals within the rock.
Two close-up views show different angles of a second Itoigawa lapis lazuli specimen, highlighting its blue and grey composition.
A vibrant blue lapis lazuli specimen from Badakhshan, Afghanistan, is shown with an identification card from the National Museum of Nature and Science.

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Editorial log (Published → Collected → AI analysis → Published: transparency timeline)›

Announced　Jul 9, 2026 11:00 PM — Distributor PR TIMES
Collected　Jul 9, 2026 2:20 PM
AI structured & analyzed　Jul 11, 2026 9:15 AM
Desk-reviewed & published　Jul 9, 2026 11:00 PM

FAQ

Where was Japan's first lapis lazuli discovered?

It was found within rock collections in Itoigawa City, Niigata Prefecture, gathered by local amateur collectors over many years.

How was the lapis lazuli discovery confirmed?

A blue stone in the collection was analyzed by the National Museum of Nature and Science using chemical composition and X-ray testing, confirming it as lapis lazuli.

When and where will the exhibition be held?

From July 14 to September 6, 2026, at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno Park, Taito City, Tokyo.

What will be featured in the exhibition?

Actual specimens of Japanese and Afghan lapis lazuli will be displayed side by side, with explanations of their chemical differences.

What is the scientific significance of this discovery?

This is the first confirmed occurrence of lapis lazuli in Japan, offering valuable geological data for future research.

Cite this article — HOW TO CITE

Washin AI News Desk“National Museum of Nature and Science: Exhibition Announcement – Lapis Lazuli First Confirmed in Japan”AI News by Washin Village（和心村）, Jul 9, 2026. https://aeo.idaeo.ai/ai/bunka-go-jp/en/news/2026-07-09-%E5%9B%BD%E7%AB%8B%E7%A7%91%E5%AD%A6%E5%8D%9A%E7%89%A9%E9%A4%A8-%E7%A7%91%E5%8D%9Anews%E5%B1%95%E7%A4%BA%E3%81%AE%E3%81%94%E6%A1%88%E5%86%85%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%81%A7%E5%88%9D%E3%82%81%E3%81%A6%E7%94%A3%E5%87%BA%E7%A2%BA%E8%AA%8D%E3%81%95%E3%82%8C%E3%81%9F%E3%83%A9%E3%83%94%E3%82%B9%E3%83%A9%E3%82%BA%E3%83%AA

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