Dr. Nobuko INABA trained as a conservation architect and architectural historian; she received her doctoral degree from the Tokyo Institute of Technology on the theme of the 19th century traditional architectural history of Japan dealing with the particular social phenomena of Europeanization, modernization and nationalism in that century.
She gained her practical knowledge and experience in heritage policy development and management while serving in the Japanese government's Agency for Cultural Affairs and its affiliated research institute from 1991 to 2008 including the period from 2000 to 2002 while she worked for ICCROM seconded by Japan.
In April 2008 she took up her current position as professor of heritage theory and policy studies, while continuing her advisory role to the Japanese central and local authorities on heritage matters including those of the World Heritage Convention.
She is currently a member of the committee on Cultural Landscapes of the Council for Cultural Affairs and a member of ICOMOS; she is a former member of the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO.