To protect Japan's cultural heritage, the country's government has established with the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties a "designation system"(指定制度) under which it selects important items and designates them as Cultural Properties, imposing restrictions to their alteration, repair and export. Besides the "designation system", there exists a "registration system"(登録制度), which guarantees a lower level of protection and support to Registered Cultural Properties. For details, see the article Cultural Properties of Japan.