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Japanese collection

The subject areas covered  are broad ; major areas of streangth are shown below. As more and more scholars tend to take up inter-disciplinary approach of a topic, the collection here has been built to help readers with their needs in looking into various aspects of topics, as well as their neighbouring topics.

The focus on all subjects is strongly on modern and contemporary period; Meiji Restoration (1868) onwards to date.  The library is also aiming to collect both new and old publications, including various primary sources.

Another focus is to offer major reference sources to readers in distance, through remote access of NLA website.  For the list and the details of online resources available to registered users. visit Japanese E-Resources page

For the scholars who do not have access to resources they need on their researches related to Japan, the NLA is offering Japan Study Grant and Japan Fellowship annually. Please find out more by visiting Awards and Grants

The strengths of the collection

Social sciences

  • minorities
  • sex and gender studies
  • social movements
  • statistics
  • politics and government
  • Law

 History after 1868

  • history of migrants
  • Japan and Asian countries
  • Australia-Japan relationship
  • Japanese encounter with western countries

Fine and performing arts, popular culture

  • Woodblock prints
  • Sugoroku (Japanese board game) collection
  • HIkifuda (advertising hand bill) collection
  • Arts and crafts

 Government publications

  • censuses and surveys; proceedings of the Japanese Diet; the government gazette; collections of laws and statutes; Japanese diplomatic records; white papers; various ministerial journals, etc.