Optical astronomy in Japan

Main facilities of optical astronomy in Japan are briefly presented in three categories: 1) research institutes, 2) Subaru (Japanese National Large Telescope = JNLT) project, and 3) public observatories. The construction of Subaru telescope with 8.3 meter aperture is now going on at Mauna Kea and expected to be completed in 1998. Major efforts in optical/infrared engineering are now concentrated for the new development of instrument to be used on Subaru and other telescopes in research institutes, The present state of main public observatories equipped with large telescope ( 1 meter or more in aperture) is briefly presented. Collaboration between public observatories and research institutes is getting its importance, particularly, for observations of variable objects.