Fundamental Research (S) and Research Progress for 2001
Representative Researcher Yasunaga Hisashi
　　　　　　　　

1. Introduction

　Our fundamental research (S) has, with this year's new scientific research grant, gained "the needed amount of time to complete sound research" and "obtained research funding needed and sufficient to further research", allowing us to follow up on our past progress and pursue more creative and innovative research. The time allotted for research is generally five years, and funding can be requested within the bracket of 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 yen.
In June, 2001, our fundamental research plan (S) "Organization and Transmission of Japanese Literary Research Information through International Collaboration" was selected. We were approved a five year grant of a total of 101,100,000 yen. The overall rate of acceptance was 2.9%, and approval was earned amongst tough competition as one project in the area of the humanities. While taking in fully the importance of the mission given us, we took immediately to create the acceptance documents and prepare an overall research plan, along with the plan for this year.
We immediately began a meeting involving the entire research group, prepared research and execution plans, and also began actual research. The research group involves seven people, including the representative researcher, and also has included three joint researchers from overseas. Even as such, given the scale and scope of the topics to be handled for research, we asked for help from numerous cooperative researchers. As of the end of this year we have a total of fifteen researchers working together on this project.
Here is a summary of our research topics.

Topic 1: Preparation of internationally usable content for use in the study of Japanese literature and history
(1) Directories of researchers and research organizations
(2) Research thesis directory database
(3) Database of translated works of Japanese literature

Topic 2: Joint construction of a collaboration system for researching Japanese literature and history
(1) Development of a collaboration system
(2) Development of archives
(3) Promotion of collaboration

Topic 3: Construction and utilization of metadata databases
(1) Mutual management of a database for general-use institutes of the humanities
(2) Development in other nations



２．Research Plans

2.1　The purpose of this research
　Due to the expansion of the internet, it has become comparatively easy to gain access to digital resources in the Japanese language from anywhere in the world. However, there are still few resources and materials that meet the needs of academic research in terms of quality and volume. In addition, many issues regarding resources have yet to be dealt with. In particular, the enhancement and dissemination of digital content for use in Japanese literary and historical research and education has fallen behind.
　At the National Institute for Japanese Literature, we have made progress in the construction of a digital resource center system for Japanese literary and historical research. This system is to offer a variety of information while being easy to access from anywhere in the world using the internet.
　As a part of this project, we have begun a new five year research project which starts this year. This is one of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports' Basic Scientific Research Projects (S), and is titled "The Organization and Distribution of Japanese Literary Research Materials and Information through International Collaboration". The project is scheduled to receive funding totaling 120,000,000 Yen, and almost the same amount for content creation. This project aims to enhance on-line resources related to Japanese literature and history through collaboration with researchers overseas, eventually creating and making available a digital archive.
　In particular, we are hoping to establish research bases in North America and Europe and work towards the gathering and archiving of content which matches the needs and desires of each country using the system. Ideally, most of the work and research will be performed as much as possible using an on-line environment. For this purpose, it will be necessary to develop, install, and utilize an actual collaboration system (a server and client system).
　The three main areas for research being considered are as follows.

2.2 Three Research Areas

Area 1: Preparation of internationalized content for Japanese Literary and Historical Studies

(1) Researcher Directory
　In Europe and North America there are numerous domestic and international societies devoted to Japan studies research. Unfortunately, it is difficult to gain information on the shape of research and research progress in any given country from outside its borders. To solve this, a directory listing the universities, research institutions, researchers, scholastic societies, etc. in each country is needed. We hope to gather the needed information, organize it, and construct a unified database which is accessible freely from anywhere in the world.
　Similarly, as international scholastic societies and symposiums are also widely active, the creation of a meeting directory is called for. In particular, organization of information regarding developments to date and plans for the future is needed. Again, this will become a part of a unified database which will be freely accessible.

(2) Research Thesis Directory Database
　Along a similar line, what kinds of research theses are being written in each country is something difficult to grasp from the outside. The first thing to do is create a database of the content of already published research thesis directories. Data collection starting with older works is thought desirable, but more thought is needed on how to do this. Additionally, preparation of a system that allows for the real time on-line entry and correction of recent research thesis data also needs to be considered. Likewise, the collection and digitization (through images or text) of major research theses is required.
　At the same time, collection of the proceedings of international symposiums and other meetings and their inclusion into a database is being looked in to. The main issue to be dealt with here is how to create a cooperative relationship with these organizations and societies.

(3) Translated Works Database
　More and more translations of works of Japanese literature are appearing around the world. The first step will be to create a directory. Directories of works already presented and in print will need to be collected, followed by examination of how they are organized, and finally the collected information will be put into database form. We are currently requesting aid from those researchers involved in such work, and hope to be able to construct an up to date database.
　In addition, we want to gather a variety of translations and create a full text database of translations of major literary works. This, in the end, will take the shape of a parallel database of translations and a database of the original Japanese texts. Collaboration with researchers who have been connected with creating accurate translations will be required, and we are now considering the best method to make this happen.
　For the time, we hope to create a bilingual system based on Japanese, but hope to expand it to include translations of major works in multiple languages. For example, it is now possible to offer the Kokin Wakashu in English, Italian, French, and other languages.
　
Area 2: Joint Creation of a Collaboration System for Japanese Literary and Historical Research

(1) System Development
　This will involve expansion of the variety, scope, and function of the content made available through the present digital resource center system at the NIJL, and study the possibilities of an internationally usable archive system which can be universally manageable through collaboration. Although system development research will be carried out at the NIJL, demands for how the system will operate will be examined with each country. We hope to have the basic server up and running soon. Also, we will research and implement a computer collaboration client. System implementation will be carried out in the countries that need it, making quick and easy access via the internet possible.

(2) Storage in the Archive
　We will need to expand the content of the present digital resource center system to include resources not yet added. We will work on digitalizing materials each country needs, but there are limits to what can be done at the NIJL. What we can do we will according to the required parameters we have received, but for what we cannot do we would like to consider collaboration with researchers in each country. Through close discussion and examination, we will select materials of high quality and concrete relevance to Japanese literary and historical research and construct a database from them.

(3) Encouragement of Collaboration
　We will encourage research on Japanese literature and history through international collaboration. In order to do this, the environment discussed in (1) needs to be constructed. Next, research topics matched to the situation in each country will be set, and a proving experiment involving actual research utilizing international collaboration will be performed. This will involve the examination of an important, but uncomplicated topic.
　
Area 3: Construction and Use of a Metadata Database

(1) Joint operation of databases at joint-use research institutes for the humanities
　The first step will be to jointly construct metadata databases of information and resources concerning Japanese literature and history at joint-use research institutes for the humanities and other facilities inside Japan, such as the International Research Center for Japan Studies, the National Museum of Japanese History, and the University of Tokyo Historiographical Institute. We will then proceed to execute experiments to test the usability of the system using metadata constructed using an internationally recognized standard (Dublin Core) and a similarly recognized search system (Z39.50 Protocol) to search data held among the different research institutes. The NIJL is being considered as functioning as the server. Initially, this system will likely be used with the current Japanese bibliographical directory databases (OPAC) being operated at universities in Japan.

(2) Expansion to other countries
　Following the initial stage, an internationally usable archive system based on metadata for the purpose of collaboration will be constructed. We hope to see the basic research conducted by each country.

2.3 Research Plans for This Year

　In order to being the project, we first need to solidify concrete research plans with each country. Currently, we are looking to include researchers from the US, UK, France, Italy, and Holland. Italy, the UK, and France have almost completed their basic frameworks. We now look to begin discussions with the United States.
This year, as preparation, we will being the following research.

(1) System research
　We will introduce the basic server. We will expand the digital resource center system currently being operated at the NIJL and begin developmental research on the prototype for the archive system. We will also verify the demands for the shape of the collaboration system with each country. Also, we will being survey research to prepare for joint construction of metadata for Japanese literary and historical research resources held at museums and libraries.

(2) Content research
　Through working with researchers in each country, we will select extensive, high quality information for use in academic research, and explore methods for collecting and digitalizing this information. For example, we will look into ways to collect, digitize, enter, correct, and perform on-line entry of information from book-form directories.
　At the same time, we will research the following three pillars of content creation.
　[1] Conceptual Pillar: Organization of research information related to important topics, concepts, and themes in Japanese literature.
　[2] Works Pillar: Exhaustive collection of all research data related to famous works (for example, Genji Monogatari, Heike Monogatari, Kokin Wakashu, Manyoshu, etc.).　
　[3] Author Pillar: Choosing famous authors (for example, Murasaki Shikibu, Fujiwara no Teika, Ihara Saikaku, Matsuo Basho, Mori Ogai, Natsume Soseki, etc.) and researching ways to organize all information related to them.
　
2.4 Collaboration Plans and Topics for the United States
　
　The United Kingdom, Italy, France, and the United States are the most important research bases for the project. The Japan studies societies in these countries, such as the British Association for Japanese Studies (BAJS), Associazione Italiana per gli Studi Giapponesi (AISTUGIA), Societe Francaise des Etudes Japonaises (SFEJ), and American Association for Japanese Studies (AAJS), are particularly active, and it is believed that a firm base has been established for research.
First, Area 1 research will begin, i.e. the creation of a researcher directory as well as the organization of a research thesis directory. Also, we would like to begin putting together a database of works in translation. In other words, we will look to enhance digital content there. We must also look into listing and organizing important research information that is not currently included in the NIJL's digital resource center system.
　At the same time, we will being research in Area 2, specifically in (2) and (3). For example, we will try to create a mutual base for collaborative research into analysis of Youkyoku and how they adopted certain concepts, as well as the development of "mitate" and "mojiri". We will also look to promote the use of the products of this research. We look forward to receiving concrete proposals for research projects for collaborative research. This will involve collaboration from the level of choosing an actual theme with researchers at the NIJL and elsewhere.
　In executing these projects, no doubt many problems will arise. For a while, adjustments will need to be made through close meetings involving both sides. Before long, we will start a system which will allow for network communications (e-mail plus an electronic bulletin board system), and then proceed to hold meetings as needed.
　We are considering several universities as locations to move forward with concrete research at. We have made contact with them, and are working on coordinating research. The institutes and universities we are working on research coordination with are, in the UK, apart from the BAJS, include the British Library, London University, Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds, Shefield, etc., in Italy, Venezia, Firenze, Roma, and Napoli University, and in France, Paris University Seven, the College de France, etc.. Things are still being worked out in the US. Upon understanding the variety and scope of content that will need to be enhanced at these research institutes, we should be able to begin the digitalization process.
　Lastly, this is not a one-sided request for cooperation from the NIJL, and as such we would only ask that this be thought of as a way to establish a concrete base for research and education in each country, and where possible we hope to receive cooperation and hope to keep any and all joint research flexible.
　In particular, we hope that those researchers who will be involved in actual collaboration will be a part of such cooperation. Especially it is believed that the help of young researchers in the areas of data entry and retrieval is needed. We will need to look at ways of creating incentives for cooperation as well.