In 2010, the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre launched a joint research project that aims at studying the physical state of Medieval Georgian churches.
From 6 to 20 September 2011, the second stage of the project was conducted. Japanese scholars Shiro Sasano (head of the project), Yasuhito Fujita, Sachiko Hattori, Norio Yoshimoto, and Rika Fujita came to Georgia to carry out field survey and to collect technical data. Six researchers from the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre – Mariam Gabashvili, Giorgi Patashuri, Natia Natsvlishvili, Manon Liluashvili, Irina Mania, and Eter Edisherashvili participated in fieldwork together with the Japanese scholars. The work was coordinated by David Khoshtaria, the head of Medieval Department.
The joint group surveyed Cathedral of King Bagrat in Kutaisi, monasteries in Gelati, Martvili, Ateni, Ubisa, Katskhi, Kintsvisi, Timotesubani, Tsunda, and Zeda Vardzia, cathedrals of Nikortsminda, Samtavisi and Urbnisi, churches at Tsromi, Samtsevrisi, and Koreti.