The assimilated organizational structure was brought about as a part of the national government's administrative reform program; and the clear goal was to provide higher quality and better educational services to the public.
These reforms are designed to bring keiretsu-like synergy and enhanced administrative efficiencies in the work of achieving the range of inter-related preservation, conservation, and education goals of each unique institution.
Short term planning focused on improving the efficiencies of operation, enhancing the range of services provided to the public, and consolidating the museums' financial position.
The range of research activities include:[5] The National Museum is involved in continuous efforts to collect tangible cultural properties by purchasing or borrowing them, and accepting donations.
[10] Since 1979, KNM has been systematically carrying out a comprehensive survey of the cultural properties of selected temples and shrines in Kyoto, to gather information to be used to promote museum programs.
[13] Decorated Tomb Data Base As the sophistication of advanced digitization technologies progresses, KNM has been posting a "Decorated Tomb Data Base" online, thus allowing the public to view precision images of burial sites which were extensive in the 5th-6th centuries throughout northern and middle Kyushu.
[14] Museum Science The temperature, humidity and air quality which may affect cultural properties are continuously determined and analyzed to maintain the optimal environments for display and restoration.
KNM is focusing on instrumental research such as X-ray photography which can help curators better appreciate and comprehend the various states of a variety of objects.