Factbook

A Dynamic Compendium of Interesting Japanese Literary and Publishing Facts

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Japan’s oldest publishing house, Hozokan, is more than 400 years old[UPDATED: 3-22-2018]

Hozokan, the Kyoto based Buddhist publisher can trace its roots back to 1602 and is considered to be Japan’s oldest publisher. It publishes books on Buddhism, targeting both specialists and general readers. Hozokan’s longevity, and the nature of its subject specialism, has not stopped it embracing… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
- Industry
- Religion
Japan’s oldest publishing house, Hozokan, is more than 400 years old Posted January 4th, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Encyclopedia, known as dictionaries of a hundred subjects, have been published in Japan for more than a thousand years[UPDATED: 3-22-2018]

In Japan encyclopedia are called hyakka jiten (百科事典), which literally means “dictionary of a hundred subjects”. They have been compiled and published since Japan’s Heian Period (794-1185). The first Japanese encyclopedia is said to be the Wamyo ruijusho published in 938. Other Japanese encyclopaedia are considered its descendants. It… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Book production
- Culture
- Dictionary
- History
Encyclopedia, known as dictionaries of a hundred subjects, have been published in Japan for more than a thousand years Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Three books written by English speaking non-Japanese female writers have had a massive impact on creative writing in Japan[UPDATED: 3-11-2018]

According to industry experts and academics, the three most important books in Japanese publishing history written by non-Japanese women are: Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte; Anne of Green Gables, by LM Montgomery and JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series. After a false start in Japan’s Meiji Period (1868-1912), the… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
- Women Writers
Three books written by English speaking non-Japanese female writers have had a massive impact on creative writing in Japan Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Two Japanese magazines, launched in the 1920s, played a critical role in the development of Science Fiction writing in Japan[UPDATED: 3-8-2018]

Two magazines in the 1920s Shinseinen (New Youth) and Kagaku Gaho (Science Pictorial) played pivotal roles in the development and establishment of the modern Science Fiction genre in Japan. New Youth, launched in 1920 was packed full of short stories targeting “urban modern men”, and quickly… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Culture
- History
- Magazines
- Science
- Science Fiction
Two Japanese magazines, launched in the 1920s, played a critical role in the development of Science Fiction writing in Japan Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
The translation of the play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) in 1923 led to a robot literature boom in Japan[UPDATED: 3-5-2018]

The play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by Karel Čapek (1890–1938), written in 1920 and first performed in Prague in 1921, had a major impact in Japan in the 1920s and 30s after its arrival in translation. The play not only popularised the word robot worldwide, but… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
- Prizes
- Science Fiction
The translation of the play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) in 1923 led to a robot literature boom in Japan Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
The Long Winter, the sixth book in the Little House series, was the first book approved for translation and publication in Japan after World War II[UPDATED: 3-5-2018]

During the American occupation of Japan, after the Second World War (1945-1952), all publications were reviewed by General Douglas MacArthur’s team at GHQ (General Headquarters). MacArthur, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP), recommended The Long Winter, the sixth book in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s series for publication…. Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Book production
- Culture
- History
- translation
- Women Writers
The Long Winter, the sixth book in the Little House series, was the first book approved for translation and publication in Japan after World War II Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Since 1947 the Japanese government has approved and paid for all Japanese school level student textbooks[UPDATED: 3-2-2018]

The Japanese government pays for all student textbooks for the millions of students participating in its compulsory education system. It sets guidelines for certified publishers and approves textbooks before publication. Schools, teachers and local educational boards, depending on the type of school, are free to… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Educational
- Industry
- Textbooks
Since 1947 the Japanese government has approved and paid for all Japanese school level student textbooks Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Japan’s publishers not ranked as global players[UPDATED: 3-1-2018]

No Japanese publisher features in the ranking of the top ten publishers by revenue produced by the International Publishers Association (IPA). Despite Japan being the world’s 4th largest publishing market, according to the IPA.Publishers from all of the largest five country markets, except Japan, appear in the IPA’s… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
- IPA
Japan’s publishers not ranked as global players Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Richard Nathan

Factbook

Japan’s oldest publishing house, Hozokan, is more than 400 years old[UPDATED: 3-22-2018]

Encyclopedia, known as dictionaries of a hundred subjects, have been published in Japan for more than a thousand years[UPDATED: 3-22-2018]

Three books written by English speaking non-Japanese female writers have had a massive impact on creative writing in Japan[UPDATED: 3-11-2018]

Two Japanese magazines, launched in the 1920s, played a critical role in the development of Science Fiction writing in Japan[UPDATED: 3-8-2018]

The translation of the play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) in 1923 led to a robot literature boom in Japan[UPDATED: 3-5-2018]

The Long Winter, the sixth book in the Little House series, was the first book approved for translation and publication in Japan after World War II[UPDATED: 3-5-2018]

Since 1947 the Japanese government has approved and paid for all Japanese school level student textbooks[UPDATED: 3-2-2018]

Japan’s publishers not ranked as global players[UPDATED: 3-1-2018]

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