Doctor Masanari founded a fund for Safeguarding the Underground Cultural Heritage of Southeast Asia and contributed greatly to establishing the first communal museum in Vietnam. In November, 1998, Nishimura discovered a piece of a mould used to cast bronze drums dating back 2000 years. The unique piece is important evidence for the research of Vietnamese bronze drums. Vietnam Archaeologists' Association Deputy Secretary General Nguyen Lan Cuong said: "Doctor Masanari was a great friend of Vietnamese archeologists. After he passed away, we thought his significant contribution should be acknowledged by a Friendship Order. He deserves the honor and all archeologists are happy for him."