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32 Early History of the Sophia University Angkor International Mission How did the team of the ‘Sophia University Angkor International Mission’ come to be organized? I have so far not explained much concerning its earlier history. The occasion for the formation of the international survey team was the fact that the project just mentioned dealt with the theme of conservation and restoration of the cultural heritage of Southeast Asia, and as over 30 years have elapsed since then, most of the participating professors have passed away. I wish to express my gratitude to them for their support, and I wish to convey to their spirits the fact that this archaeological site volunteer activity is still ongoing. The efforts of this research team (Sophia Mission) commenced with a survey of the current status of 4 major archaeological sites (specifically Angkor, Sukhothai, Borobudur, and Bagan), as well as the gathering of research information. It was the first global joint study group involving the 3 Southeast Asian nations of Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar, with Japan (that is, Sophia University) as a fourth nation. Cambodia, which was scheduled to be involved in this joint research, was unable to participate owing to the Civil War. Yet, information concerning the investigation and research of the Angkor ruins was transmitted by Mr. Pich Keo, the local director of the Angkor Preservation Office, via Sophia University. In 1983, Professor Yasushi Kono, who was chief of the Asian section at the Paris Headquarters of the UNESCO, was appointed a Visiting Scholar of the Institute of Asian Cultures of Sophia University, and consequently his friends in Southeast Asia who were experts in cultural heritage, took part in this joint study group. The structure and purpose behind the international joint research conducted on the four nations mentioned, was as follows. 1) To go over to the archaeological sites and conduct international symposiums.