Factbook

A Dynamic Compendium of Interesting Japanese Literary and Publishing Facts

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Japan’s ‘first modern novel’ was written by Futabatei Shimei in 1887[UPDATED: 2-5-2018]

Ukigumo, The Drifting Cloud, by Futabatei Shimei (1864-1909) is considered by academics as Japan’s ‘first modern novel’ due to its realism and focus on the psychology and personalities of the novel’s four characters, as opposed to being a chronicle of deeds and actions. An… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
- Industry
- translation
Japan’s ‘first modern novel’ was written by Futabatei Shimei in 1887 Posted January 1st, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Both of Japan’s Nobel literature prize-winners now have literary prizes named after them[UPDATED: 2-5-2018]

There are Japanese literary prizes named after both of Japan’s two winners of Nobel prizes in Literature. The Kawabata Yasunari Prize, was founded in 1973 using the Nobel Prize money. It is awarded once a year for the best work of short fiction. The winner receives 1 million… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Fuminori Nakamura
- Nobel
- Prizes
Both of Japan’s Nobel literature prize-winners now have literary prizes named after them Posted January 1st, 2018 by Richard Nathan
One bookstore in Tokyo stocks & sells only one book at a time[UPDATED: 1-25-2018]

Morioka Shoten located in Ginza in Tokyo, has a unique merchandising strategy. It only sells one book title at a time despite around 80,000 new books being published every year in Japan. The shop, which opened in May 2015, has a single book strategy of stocking… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Bookshops
- Industry
One bookstore in Tokyo stocks & sells only one book at a time Posted August 15th, 2017 by Richard Nathan
Japan’s public libraries have the highest lending rates of public libraries within the G7[UPDATED: 1-24-2018]

The number of public libraries in Japan is on the low side when compared to other G7 nations, the informal group of industrialized democracies (the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom) that meets annually to discuss issues such as economics,… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- G7
- Industry
- Libraries
- Retail
Japan’s public libraries have the highest lending rates of public libraries within the G7 Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Koji Chikatani
Book rental and lending schemes have a very long history in Japan[UPDATED: 1-24-2018]

Historically, book production and consumption in Japan was focused on the country’s aristocrats, Buddhist monks, Shinto priests and society’s upper classes not the mass market. However, in the early 1800s book lending shops started to appear. According to historians, their number grew from around 650… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Culture
- Industry
- Retail
Book rental and lending schemes have a very long history in Japan Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Richard Nathan
90% of Japanese people under the age of 30 still read books[UPDATED: 12-27-2017]

According to consumer surveys, despite what many might believe, the vast majority of Japanese people still read books, including people under the age of 30. However, 10 percent of Japanese people under the age of 30 say that currently they never read books. The most… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
- Retail
90% of Japanese people under the age of 30 still read books Posted November 22nd, 2017 by Richard Nathan
The most famous Japanese folk tales are: Princess Kaguya, The Grateful Crane and Urashima Taro[UPDATED: 12-20-2017]

Three famous Japanese folk tales are: Princess Kaguya (extra-terrestrial supernatural creature); The Grateful Crane (shape-shifting bird); and Urashima Taro (time travel). Perhaps, Princess Kaguya a story from the 10th Century, which is now very well-known outside Japan after the release of the Studio Ghibli animated… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Culture
- Folk Tales
The most famous Japanese folk tales are: Princess Kaguya, The Grateful Crane and Urashima Taro Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Koji Chikatani
Japan’s seven largest publishers collectively are 80% the size of the world’s largest[UPDATED: 12-10-2017]

According to the 2017 Global Ranking of the Publishing Industry, produced by BookMap, Japan’s seven largest publishers collectively are 80% the size of the world’s largest, Pearson. Japan’s seven largest publishers, measured by revenue, included in the 2017 Global Ranking of the Publishing Industry, produced by… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
- IPA
- Market Data
- Retail
Japan’s seven largest publishers collectively are 80% the size of the world’s largest Posted December 10th, 2017 by Richard Nathan

Factbook

Japan’s ‘first modern novel’ was written by Futabatei Shimei in 1887[UPDATED: 2-5-2018]

Both of Japan’s Nobel literature prize-winners now have literary prizes named after them[UPDATED: 2-5-2018]

One bookstore in Tokyo stocks & sells only one book at a time[UPDATED: 1-25-2018]

Japan’s public libraries have the highest lending rates of public libraries within the G7[UPDATED: 1-24-2018]

Book rental and lending schemes have a very long history in Japan[UPDATED: 1-24-2018]

90% of Japanese people under the age of 30 still read books[UPDATED: 12-27-2017]

The most famous Japanese folk tales are: Princess Kaguya, The Grateful Crane and Urashima Taro[UPDATED: 12-20-2017]

Japan’s seven largest publishers collectively are 80% the size of the world’s largest[UPDATED: 12-10-2017]

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