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List of libraries in Japan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of libraries (図書館, toshokan) in Japan.

Background

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Isonokami no Yakatsugu's Nara period Untei (芸亭) is held out to be Japan's first public library, but private libraries, such as Kanazawa Bunko, remained the norm until modern times. The Imperial Library, one of the predecessors to the National Diet Library, was established towards the end of the nineteenth century. In 1948, during the Occupation, the National Diet Library Act (ja) was passed, creating Japan's sole national library,[1] followed in 1950 by the Library Act (ja), the twenty nine articles of which cover both public libraries (公立図書館) (Chapter II) and private libraries (私立図書館) (Chapter III).[2]

National library

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Public libraries

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As of 2008, there were 3,106 public libraries in Japan, including: 1 regional library, 62 prefectural libraries, 2,433 city libraries, and 610 town libraries.[1]

Prefectural libraries

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Hokkaidō region

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Tōhoku region

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Kantō region

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Chūbu region

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Kinki region

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Chūgoku region

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Shikoku region

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Kyūsyū region

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Municipal libraries

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Special libraries

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1,761 institutions were listed in the 2009 Directory of Special Libraries in Japan.[1]

University libraries

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In 2007, there were 758 four-year universities in Japan: 86 national, 77 public, 595 private.[1]

It is also reported that almost all schools in Japan have libraries.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Brief Information on Libraries in Japan - Public Libraries". Japan Library Association. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  2. ^ 図書館法 [Museum Act] (in Japanese). elaws.e-gov.go.jp. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  3. ^ "図書館情報 - 妙高市". www.city.myoko.niigata.jp. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  4. ^ https://www.jla.or.jp/portals/0/html/libraries-e.html