Comparison and Reference of Industrial Heritage Survey and Evaluation Researches in China and Japan

Modern industries in Asia were greatly influenced by the British Industrial Revolution, and the researches and protection of Asian industrial heritage also developed in the context of international industrial heritage protection. Japan’s industrial heritage researches began in the 1970s. China’s industrial heritage researches showed a clear upward trend in 2006 and is still in progress today. The researches and protection of industrial heritage in China and Japan have different characteristics. This article compares the similarities and differences in the research and development histories, survey and evaluation methods, and cultural relic designation between the two countries in order to examine the development of international industrial heritage protection in Asia from the case of Japan and China and strengthens academic exchanges and mutual learning of Asian industrial heritage. The author believes that: 1) basic research remains an important task for the next stage of China’s industrial heritage research in the next stage. 2) The nationwide census should be carried out as soon as possible. 3) China’s database construction and evaluation should be further deepened.