A Tokyo museum is hosting an exhibition of color photos of Japan taken around 70 years ago, soon after the country's defeat in the war, and is calling for information on some of the pictures, whose locations remain unknown.

The exhibition, titled, "A Journey Towards Hope: Photos of Early Postwar Japan from the Florida State University Archives," is being held at the National Showa Memorial Museum in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. The pictures depict the ravages of war, Japan's recovery and the lives of people at the time.

The images are from the collection of ornithologist Oliver L. Austin Jr. (1903-1988), who resided in Japan from 1946-1950 as a member of the Natural Resources Section of the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. Austin conducted a survey of Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa, capturing images on 1,000 color slides. A total of 70 of these photos are displayed at the exhibition.

Included among the pictures are images taken in Tokyo's Tsukiji, Shimokitazawa, and Marunouchi areas. One shows outdoor stalls in front of the Takashimaya Department Store in Tokyo's Nihonbashi area. In August 1949, GHQ issued an order to align these stalls, and the photos are believed to have been taken around this time. Another eye-catching photo shows the German Embassy that was destroyed in Tokyo's Nagatacho area.

There is also a photo from Tokyo's Aoyama area showing the Aoyama Apartments built by the Dojunkai housing corporation before World War II, in an area that was bombed in May 1945, just months before Japan's defeat in the war. The scenes seem a world away from the bustle of those areas today.

There are also photos of people gathered in a shopping area, at a festival, and working in a field and one of children playing with smiles on their faces -- bringing scenes to life in vivid color. The pictures were taken with expensive American film that was only available at the time to those associated with the occupation forces. The smiles of people at a time when Japan was occupied give a glimpse of hope for the future.

In many cases, however, it is not known where or when the photos were taken, though there are clues such as landscapes and signs.

"We're waiting to receive information from everyone," a museum representative said. "We don't mind if the tips are vague." People can provide information on special forms at the museum.

The exhibition will continue until May 6, and entry is free. Inquiries can be made (in Japanese) on (03) 3222-2577.