The subject areas covered are broad; major areas of strength 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 neighboring 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-Resource page
For scholars who do not have regular access to resources on Japan, the NLA is offering Japan Study Grant and Japan Fellowship annually. Please find out the details 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
- Kuchie (=Frontispiece colour illustration print) collection
- Sugoroku (Japanese board game) collection
- HIkifuda (advertising hand bill) collection
- Arts and crafts
Government publications
- censuses and surveys; collections of laws and statutes; diplomatic records; white papers; various ministerial reports, etc.
