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The Japanese collection comprises some 1.2 million monograph volumes that cover all fields in the humanities and social sciences, as well as diverse topics in science and technology. All of these Japanese-language books are available in the Asian Reading Room.
Please note that all publications pertaining to law and legal topics are housed and served in the Law Library, while works about Japan in English, French, German, and other European languages are accessible in the Library's Main Reading Room.
Among collection items published prior to 1946, a large portion come from the body of materials captured by the Allied Forces during the Occupation of Japan (1945-52) after World War II. During the Occupation, Allied Forces personnel gathered any documents or publications deemed to be of potential value for intelligence gathering purposes and sent them back to the United States for processing at the Washington Document Center (WDC). From there, government documents and records were sent to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), while published materials were directed to the Library of Congress.
Among scholars and librarians these materials have come to be known as "confiscated" or "requisitioned" literature (sesshū bunken 接収文献). The numerous varieties of printed material captured during and immediately after WWII represent some of the most unique items in the Library's Japanese collection. Many of these publications are the only ones of their kind available outside of Japan.
This collectively catalogued collection of 1,096 items contains reports (including serial publications) on China and the Inner Mongolian region issued by the Japanese government or Japanese controlled organizations, grouped together by issuing bodies, and consecutively numbered according to a list prepared by scholar Imura Tetsuo 井村哲郎.
Some of the major issuing bodies featured are listed below.
This collectively catalogued collection of 871 items includes reports (including serial publications) chiefly issued by the government of Manchuria (agencies and institutions, national and local), and quasi-governmental organizations in Manchuria, excluding the South Manchuria Railway Company, grouped together by issuing bodies or geographic areas and consecutively numbered according to a list prepared by scholar Imura Tetsuo 井村哲郎.
Some of the major issuing bodies featured are listed below.
This collectively catalogued collection contains nearly 6,000 titles related to various aspects of the former Japanese Imperial Army and Navy, as well as military topics more generally. Coverage begins with the Meiji period and extends through the immediate aftermath of World War II. All items begin with the call number CLC U21.
To search for specific works within this collection, combine the search term "CLC U21" with a keyword in romanized Japanese or an English term from a Library of Congress Subject Heading. For example, a search for CLC U21 torpedo? using the multiple-character wildcard "?" will return results for all items with "torpedo" or "torpedoes" in their subject heading.
The Library of Congress holds some 6,000 Japanese-language works published by the former South Manchuria Railway Company (SMRC), which operated from 1906 to 1945. These publications include hardbound books, paperback books, pamphlets, and periodicals. Also found in this collection are manuscripts consisting of drafts of published and unpublished works handwritten on official SMRC stationery. Many items are in fragile condition due to their age and require careful handling. Most of these items are housed in the Asian Division, but some can also be found in the Law Library and the Geography and Map Division. For further information, please consult the following research guide.