1. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
2010-03-25
Government2010
Introduction
[Slide #1]
Overview of Trends
in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts
since the Change of Government
Committee on Japanese Materials 2010
Council on East Asian Libraries,
Association for Asian Studies
2010-03-25
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel
Makoto Okamoto
President / Producer,
Academic Resource Guide, Inc.
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Thank you for your kind introduction, Ms. Haruko Nakamura. Hello,
everyone, and good to see you again. It’s a great pleasure for me to give you
my report from Japan again this year. Today, I’m going to outline the trends
in Japanese libraries and their impacts after the change of government. Let’s
begin with a simple question: how many people know the change of
government in Japan in the last summer? Raise your hand, please. Thank
you. Last summer, Japan experienced the change of government from
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to Democratic Party. Since then, there have
been so many changes in various areas.
Of course, libraries are not free from these changes. However,
changes are not limited to these. Japanese libraries have been facing many
other changes already. For example, Google is the source of the most
widespread and significant impact on Japanese libraries. Google have an
impact not only on libraries but also on Japanese publishers. As you know
well, publishing industry and libraries are deeply connected to each other. In
short trends in Japanese libraries are partially trends in Japanese
publishing industry. Today, from this point of view, I’ll give you an overview
of trends in Japanese libraries and its impacts after the change of
government. My topic is not limited only to libraries and covers publishing
industry.
First year of e-book
This year is referred to as the first year of e-book in Japan.
[Slide #2]
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2. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
2010-03-25
Government2010
First Year of e-book #1
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Actually, first e-book summit (e-book summit 2010) was held in Tokyo
in this February. Last year, Amazon began to sell Kindle in Japan and at the
beginning of this year Kindle DX was also released in Japan. These devices
are not popular in Japan yet because Japanese books are not yet available on
Kindle Store. But it is true that Kindle shows Japanese reality of e-book.
Through Kindle, Japanese are beginning to feel that e-book is upcoming to
us gradually. iPhone plays the same role. According to Mr. Nobuyuki
Hayashi, a famous journalist who have investigated Apple for years, sales
volume of iPhone is now over 3M in Japan.
Based on such trends, some publishers began to sell e-book on Apple
Store. For example, Pot Shuppan starts to publish a book from this year
through media like electronic book, as well as through paper book.
[Slide #3]
First Year of e-book #2
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Now you can read their books like “What is Chiyoda Library?” and
“Archives in Japan” on your iPhone. However, the reality is that this is still
just trial. Great majority of publishers, especially large companies like
Kodansha, Shogakukan, do not take a step into the stage of e-book. They are
waiting and seeing for now.
Large scale digitization by National Diet Library (NDL)
At the same time, National Diet Library, NDL, is in the spotlight
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3. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
2010-03-25
Government2010
because of its plan for large scale digitization. This plan aims to digitalize
their collection, including copyrighted works. For implementation of this
plan NDL did 2 actions. One is law revision and the other is obtaining
budget.
[Slide #4]
Large Scale Digitization
by National Diet Library (NDL) #1
Extra Budget Approved
(2009-05-29)
Copyright Law Revised
(2009-06-19)
NDL Law Revised
(2009-07-10)
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At the first day of this year, revised copyright law (issued in
2009-06-19) became effective and revised NDL law (issued in 2009-07-10) is
going into effect this April. Revisions to these 2 laws mean that NDL can
digitalize their collection without permission of authors based on revised
copyright law and that NDL can collect, copy and archive governmental
websites.
[Slide #5]
Large Scale Digitization
by National Diet Library (NDL) #2
140M $
0.9M Books
Until 1968
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In tandem, extra budget of year 2009 was approved by National Diet
(2009-05-29). This budget includes approximately 140M $ for digitization by
NDL. Fortunately, this budget is reserved by the new government, though
originally the budget was approved by the former government. By this
budget, it is estimated that NDL can digitalize approximately 0.9M
Japanese books published before 1968. NDL has already digitalized about
156k modern books and published them on the Web. However, it should be
noted that NDL can’t publish these 0.9M books on the Web like modern
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4. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
2010-03-25
Government2010
books even under revised laws.
Nagao vision and Nagao scheme
Yes, I know you think it is ridiculous situation because
newly-digitalized books are not distributed on the Web and we can read them
only in NDL. But, as you know, there are some conditions. Especially,
publishers of these books can’t accept distribution on the Web easily.
Publishers have to maintain their own business and they have some
concerns about digitization and distribution by NDL.
Then Nagao vision and Nagao scheme have gotten a lot of attention.
This is a tentative proposal by Dr. Makoto Nagao, Librarian of NDL and well
known researcher of natural language processing and digital library. In his
plan, he is proposing new ecosystem of books. To sum up his idea in my
understanding, Nagao vision and scheme consists of 3 parts.
[Slide #6]
Nagao Vision and Nagao Scheme
NDL -> Library
3rd Party -> Users
3rd Party -> Publisher
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First, NDL provides digitalized books to public libraries. We can read
these books inside each library. This is case 1. Second, NDL provides
digitalized books to new independent organization which tentatively called
“Center for e-book distribution”. We can read these books via Internet
directly. This is case 2. Case 3 is basically the same as case 1, but each public
library pay fee depending on usage. In case 2, each user pay fee. In both
cases, an independent organization collects fees and pays to publishers.
Following Dr. Nagao’s argument in these 2 or 3 years, framework for
practical discussion is now fixed up. From this year, several working group
started and government is now taking a positive stance toward these trends.
Expanding Digitalization
Not only NDL but other players also go on to digitization. Some of
them are very confident and some of them are very confused. Let me show
you some trends.
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5. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
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Government2010
[Slide #7]
Expanding Digitalization
 Magazine:
 Japanese Magazine Content Digital Promotion
Consortium
 Newspaper
 “Nikkei” (economic paper)
 Government
 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC)
1. Digital Cultural Enlightenment
2. Ubiquitous library platform
3. Digital distribution of magazine contents
4. Digital distribution of newspapers and magazines by
broadcasting
5. Hybrid digital publishing distribution
 NDL
 Round Table for Digital Information Resources
 Promotion Conference of Digital Archive in Public Libraries
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Publishers set up Japanese Magazine Content Digital Promotion
Consortium last summer (2009-08-05). This consortium are discussing and
experimenting a new magazine system like pay per view in the age of Web.
For a long time Japanese newspapers are not willing to use Web, but at last
most famous economic newspaper “Nikkei” started electronic version just 2
days ago. Still we don`t know whether these trials will succeed or not. And it
is true that not a few people, especially those who are familiar with internet,
view these challenges with negative eyes.
On the other hand, government has begun to focus on digitization.
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has run 5 projects
for promotion of digitalize books. 5 policies of MIC are as follows; (1) Digital
cultural enlightenment, (2) Ubiquitous library platform, (3) Digital
distribution of magazine contents, (4) Digital distribution of newspapers and
magazines by broadcasting, (5) Hybrid digital publishing distribution.
These trends not only aim at publishers. Among libraries, museums
and archives, digitization comes to be interested in. For example, “Round
Table for Digital Information Resources” and “Promotion Conference of
Digital Archive in Public Libraries” just started this year. In the
not-so-distant future, many libraries, museums and archives will establish
their own digital archive or repository, digitalize their collection and publish
them on the Web.
Change in collection
So far, I’m focusing on digitization in any fields. It is very clear that
most of traditional media are going to be digitized in the near future. As we
see so far in my report, these traditional media like books, magazines,
newspapers began to be published in both paper version and electronic
version. Moreover, although I don't mention the largest media, which is
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6. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
2010-03-25
Government2010
television, digitalization of broadcasting will be implemented in 2011. So,
sooner or later, it is inevitable for Japan to face the age of "being digital".
Then, what will happen in libraries? I think, libraries have to
restructure their collections in both ways. One is the revision of collections
accumulated as the result of their long efforts. Some of their collections will
be digitized by several players like NDL, Google, Amazon, Apple and can be
replaced to digitized version by libraries by themselves. In short, library has
the opportunity and the choice to do that.
The other is the reconstitution of collections using digital resources
and web-based technologies. Indeed, there are some digital resources which
help library to be digital library. For example, National Institute of
Informatics (NII) provides CiNii API which allows everyone including library
to use bibliographic information of CiNii, a national database of academic
papers and articles, on their website. Here is an actual example of using
CiNii API.
[Slide #8]
Change in Collection
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This is an indicator of related papers and articles with local area by
Yuki public library.
Not only NII but also other national institutes like NDL and JST
provide APIs of their databases. In these days, the words like "Government
2.0" or "Open Government" are spreading among our societies globally. It is a
way of thinking and behavior of governmental resources in this digital age,
which appeal and claim the free use of governmental resources like patent
information, weather information, tax information, law information, stats
information and so on. Release of APIs by the national library and national
institutes is a typical example of "Open Government". This movement is
rapidly spreading and becoming influential. Being affected by this
movement; it is required and prompted for library to change their collection
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7. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
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Government2010
and their role, and transfer traditional library to digital library.
Library as a “Place”
Over becoming digital library, what is the new role of libraries?
Before going on this topic, let me introduce 2 books and 2 persons.
[Slide #9]
Library as a “Place” #1
2 Books 2 Peoples
 Mr. Yoshitaka Haba
 a book director
 Mr. Shintaro
Uchinuma
 a book coordinator
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First, here are 2 books. One is “Library as a Place for Creating
Community – Challenge of Membership Library” by Ms. Mami Kobayashi,
she is a director of Roppongi Library of Academy Hills in Tokyo. Next book is
“What is Chiyoda Library? - Creation of New Public Sphere”, which I
mentioned before. Author is Mr. Yoshio Yanagi, former librarian of Chiyoda
Public library in Tokyo. These books describe their ideas and actions for
creating new library as a “place”, I mean, new role of library and real
meaning of “Public”. Next, 2 persons: they have a high profile in their job.
One is Mr. Yoshitaka Haba, a book director, and the other is Mr. Shintaro
Uchinuma, a book coordinator. Although I’m not sure about the difference
between book director and book coordinator, it is true that they are doing
great job concerning books, bookstores and libraries.
You may be wondering why I’m giving these examples. The answer is
that I want to show you that the meaning of libraries is also changing in
Japan at least partially. Now a part of libraries and librarians are going to
seek out their role in providing public space and sphere. Especially in
academic library, learning commons just start a boom. I know, most of you
think those commons are very usual in US. That`s right. But Japanese
libraries are not geek but always followers unfortunately.
[Slide #10]
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8. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
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Government2010
Library as a “Place” #2
Library
Digital Library
Public Space/Sphere
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Anyway, library as a “place” will be the key issue in Japan for coming
several years.
[Slide #11]
Library as a “Place” #3
Including
New Articles;
by
Makoto Nagao
&
Makoto Okamoto
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Just a week ago, the book “Digital Library” is revised and published
for the first time in 15 years. This is the very important book that introduced
digital library to Japan for the first time. The author is Dr. Makoto Nagao.
You already know he is now a librarian of National Diet Library. This is very
symbolic. It shows us discussion about digital library half finished and now
we are facing new dimension which discuss and execute library as a “place”.
Conclusion – Who are the remarkable players?
I think, at last, we are reaching a temporary conclusion. Now
Japanese libraries are facing 2 challenges. One is to become digital library
against big impact like Google Books and others. The other is to explore
potential of the library as a “place”. Then, who are the players? Who are the
remarkable players? Now, I will offer you useful and practical information to
help you watch and track Japanese materials ahead in the coming days.
Based on some investigations and interviews, as well as on my anticipation,
let me give you an overview of trends in Japanese libraries and their impacts
after the change of government. I have 3 recommendations.
First, I recommend you to pay attention to the policy and actions of
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9. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
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Government2010
Dai Nippon Printing (DNP), in Japanese, Dai Nippon Insatsu.
[Slide #12]
Conclusion
- The remarkable players #1
Dai Nippon Printing (DNP)
TRC (2007~)
Maruzen (2008~)
Junkudo (2009~)
BOOKOFF (2009~)
CHI Group (2010~)
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After many alliances, now DNP retain TRC (2007), Maruzen
(2008-08-20), Junkudo (2009-03-18) and BOOKOFF (2009-05-20). And just 2
month ago, DNP established CHI Group (2010-02-01) that aims to integrate
TRC and Maruzen. Despite of these quick and extensive range of actions,
DNP`s intention is not very clear so far. Next month, however, executive
director of DNP is going to reveal their policy on publishing industry
reorganization. Mr. Yoshishige Onuma, the president of Bunsei Shoin
Booksellers and the president of union of rare book commercial cooperatives
in Japan, who is attending this meeting today, and I are planning to hold a
conference on the future of Japanese rare book on April, 14th in Tokyo. This
conference will be broadcasted through USTREAM. You can watch our
conference from USA.
Second, of course, NDL is the very important player. Moreover, Dr.
Nagao’s proposal drove other stakeholders and the government. Just a week
ago, “Council for Promotion and Utilization of Publications in Digital
Network Society” was held by 3 important government agencies, Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Ministry of
Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry (METI).
[Slide #13]
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10. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
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Government2010
Conclusion
- The remarkable players #2
Council for Promotion and Utilization of
Publications in Digital Network Society
MEXT MIC METI
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This council consists of many stakeholders like NDL, Japanese
P.E.N., publishing industry, IT industry. The council is going to draw a
conclusion this June. Based on Japanese governmental custom, I suppose
their conclusion will become the national policy of digitization and its
utilization.
Finally, I want to count those who are interested in not only books
and libraries, but also information and knowledge with high hopes and
expectations. Last year, I and more than 30 librarians organized a
nationwide library event called “U40 – Future Librarian”.
[Slide #14]
Conclusion
- The remarkable players #3
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What’s “U40”? U40 means “Under 40”. This event was held in
conjunction with annual meeting of Japan Library Association (JLA) last
October. It was not held in only Tokyo where annual meeting was held, but
held in more than 12 cities in Japan at the same time and about 330 people
gathered and talked about the future of libraries and librarians. Not all of
those 330 people were librarians. Like me, there were so many people who
are just interested in books, libraries, information and knowledge. This year,
we are planning to have large meetings at least 2 times. I think, even now,
they are discussing this year’s plan. So, I want to recommend you to take
notice of them. They are more important than anything, because people
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11. Overview of Trends in Japanese Libraries and its Impacts since the Change of
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inside libraries and people around libraries are the keystone for our future,
as far as “The library is a growing organism” as Ranganathan said.
[Slide #15]
Thank you!
This slide will be uploaded on "SlideShare".
Please, check my blog!!
Please, search "ARG" using Yahoo/Google.
Makoto Okamoto
President / Producer,
Academic Resource Guide, Inc.
15
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Thank you.
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