The first phase of a project to determine the quality of Japanese papers used in conservation treatments has recently been completed. Over a year ago four major U.S. Distributors of Japanese papers were contacted: Aiko, Andrews/Nelson/Whitehead, Light Impressions, and University Products. The companies sent samples of currently available papers they considered conservation quality Japanese papers. From those samples 49 papers were selected for examination. Papers were selected on the basis of descriptions provided by the distributors which promoted them as conservation products. In addition, 21 handmade and 14 machine-made papers distributed through a Tokyo-based company, Paper Nao, were added to bring the total number tested to 84. The first phase involved two analyses: pH cold water extraction and fiber content.