The National Assembly Research Service (NARS) recently signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Diet Library (NDL) of Japan to expand its cooperation and improve mutual understanding.

The National Diet Library was founded in February 1948 based on the National Diet Library Law. The Library has 890 staff members including the librarian. The Research and Legislative Reference Bureau of the NDL plays a similar role to that of the National Assembly Research Service. It provides legislative research and analysis to the Diet and the parliament members.

NARS and NDL signed its first MoU on November 19, 2009, which was valid for 4 years. After signing the MoU, the two institutions have successfully conducted a staff exchange program each year, showing close cooperation. The recently signed MoU will take effect from April 1 and will run for 4 years.

Thanks to the MoU, staff exchanges between the two institutions will continue so as to facilitate sharing of legislative research and policies. They will also hold joint seminars on important issues of mutual concern and benefit to both research services.

The parties expect this second MoU will reinforce cooperation between the NDL and NARS.