A popular rather than official term, 'Living National Treasures' are the men and women declared by the government to be Bearers of Important Intangible Cultural Assets. This means that they have been identified as having particular skills in traditional crafts and performing arts that are considered to be of artistic and historical significance.

Laws were passed during the late 19th and early 20th century to protect and promote art objects held to be of national importance. After the war the preservationist effort was expanded to cover the more abstract skills involved in producing ceramics, lacquer, bamboo, textiles and metalwork, among others, and in performing traditional music and the theatrical forms of nô, bunraku, and kabuki. The first recipients of the title were announced in 1955, and more than sixty different cultural skills have been recognised so far. There is also recognition given to crafts or types of performance from specific regions, and in these cases groups are honoured rather than individuals.

These 'bearers' receive a stipend, to assist their activities and to help with the training of apprentices and successors. They often teach and provide public demonstrations. The scheme serves to support these craftspeople and performers, and to raise awareness of the cultural traditions of Japan.