Back to Intelligence Hub
For University

University: a course on writing report properly

243 resources available

Recommended inquiry route

1
Start from prior research in Japanese on CiNii Research and J-STAGE
2
Bring the same question to international open-access bases (arXiv / PubMed / CORE / DOAJ)
3
Data: e-Stat / Geography: KSJ / Sources: National Archives
4
For treaties and international law: read UN Treaty Collection against the Diplomatic Archives
Filter by type

First learning (a little nervous, a little excited)

3 resources

Google Maps

The standard map service that lets you cut across maps, routes, Street View, and reviews worldwide. With Gemini AI–powered "Ask Maps" you can do natural conversational searches, and the 3D immersive navigation lets you confirm a route with on-site feel. A starting point for places, facilities, and traffic — usable at any age.

Search a town you know → walk around in Street View → try "what did this place look like long ago?" by overlaying the GSI Map or old maps
MapStatisticsOverview
Kids' EntryMultilingual

GSI Map (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)

Layer topographic maps, aerial photos, elevation, and disaster information to read the "why of place".

Toggle layers → write 1 noticing → confirm a landform term (terrace, alluvial fan, etc.) as evidence
MapStatistics
GISOpen Data

Kahaku Channel (Official, National Museum of Nature and Science)

Learn ways to see natural history and science from real examples of exhibits and research.

Define terms → set 3 observation points → memo while asking "what is the evidence?"
VideoOverview
Kids' EntryNatural ScienceOfficial Video

Widening learning (wonder)

17 resources

NHK High School Lectures

Build the "skeleton" of inquiry within the framework of high school subjects.

Make a debate-points table from the unit headings → fact-check terms with primary sources/statistics
VideoOverview
Official Video

Kotobank

Strengthens the "definitions" that often weaken inquiry reports.

Note the source (dictionary name) → compare definitions across sources → write your own working definition
GlossaryOverview

National Archives of Japan | Learning Content

A friendly entry to primary sources. Move from exhibitions straight into the originals.

Get the flow from the exhibition → note the names of sources of interest → take the evidence from the originals
OverviewVideoPrimary Source
Cultural Heritage

NDL Digital Exhibitions

"Exhibition-style overviews" you can read by theme. The way to look at sources naturally develops.

Drill down from the exhibition's references/citations into the primary sources → always record figures and dates
OverviewPrimary Source
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

e-Stat Statistics Dashboard

An entry to grasp overall trends intuitively with "graphs and maps" rather than statistical tables.

Find top/bottom → confirm the indicator's definition → return to the source table on e-Stat if needed
StatisticsOverview
Open Data

National Film Archive of Japan | Online Service (FIAD)

An entry into "how society of the time was seen" through film and video sources. Easy to use as inquiry material.

Year/place/photographer → guess "what video wants to show" → cross-check with other sources
VideoPrimary SourceOverview
Cultural Heritage

Great Kanto Earthquake Film Archive

Read damage, reconstruction, and urban change with the documentary footage of the Great Kanto Earthquake as material.

What is shown / not shown → consider the photographer's intent → locate the place on a map and cross-check
VideoPrimary Source
DisasterCultural Heritage

Itsuka Yaru (YouTube)

Catch the inside stories of historical decisions in Japan and the world in 15–30 minute videos.

Memo "options/grounds/result" of a decision → fact-check with other sources and update your conclusion
VideoOverview
Official Video

Iseki Masaomi's International Japanese Training Course (YouTube)

Understand Japanese and world history with people at the center.

Organize each person's "position/interests/constraints" → look for the opposing view → confirm with primary sources
VideoOverview
Official Video

Smithsonian Open Access (U.S.)

The Smithsonian — one of the world's largest museum complexes — publishes its images, 3D models, and audio under CC0 Open Access. Young readers and researchers alike can reach world-class primary materials through the same door.

Search by theme → pick one image or 3D object → extract "who / when / where it was gathered" from the caption → place it side by side with a Japanese-museum counterpart and describe the difference (images and numbers carry you even when the text is English)
OverviewPrimary SourceInternational
Kids' EntryCultural HeritageOpen DataEnglish

Encyclopedia of Life (EOL)

A free, collaboratively built encyclopedia of living things, compiled by public institutions, museums, and researchers worldwide. Photos, taxonomy, and distribution maps make it easy to trace "what is this creature?" from a name. English text, but readable even at elementary level through images and maps.

Search a familiar plant or animal → read the taxonomy and distribution map → ask "why does it live here?" and link the answer to landform and climate
OverviewInternational
Kids' EntryNatural ScienceOpen DataEnglish

National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) | Database List

Official database collection from a Japanese national museum holding ethnographic records, audio, video, and photographs from around the world. A strong entry for comparative-culture inquiry across clothing, food, housing, and festivals.

Pick a database by region or theme → choose one artefact and record "maker / place / year" → view the same theme in a database from a different region → articulate the commonalities and differences
Primary SourceOverviewInternational
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Metropolitan Museum of Art | Open Access

The Met's official Open Access collection, releasing out-of-copyright works under CC0. High-resolution images can be used without permission, making it a shared entry point for children through researchers to handle real art objects.

Search by period / region → filter to Open Access → note maker / date / technique → compare with Japanese collections to put the differences into words
OverviewPrimary SourceInternational
Cultural HeritageOpen DataEnglish

Google Arts & Culture

A cross-cultural hub that brings together collections from museums and cultural sites worldwide, including Street View tours inside institutions. Accessible for children, but since it is privately operated, always trace each work back to its source institution.

Read a "Story" by region or theme → open a work of interest → follow the "Collection" link back to the source museum and confirm provenance
OverviewInternational
Cultural HeritageMultilingual

The Open University of Japan | OpenCourseWare

The Open University of Japan publishes selected broadcast lectures as OpenCourseWare, viewable without registration. Covers geography, history, social and natural sciences at university level — a sturdy base for self-study from high school through teachers.

Pick a lecture in your area of interest → grasp the whole via the syllabus → after viewing, jot down "main claim / evidence / lingering question" in 3 lines
VideoOverview
Official Video

UTokyo OCW

The University of Tokyo's OpenCourseWare publishing actual course materials and videos. University students, graduate students, and teachers can use it as a reference model for how research-grade arguments are built.

Pick a course close to your topic → check target readings via the syllabus → mimic how the argument is built and reflect it in your own inquiry report
VideoOverviewResearch
Official VideoEnglish

Our World in Data

Oxford-based public data visualization covering poverty, climate, education, and more.

Check the definition and coverage → get the same indicator for Japan from e-Stat → compare the gap and explain it
StatisticsInternational
EnglishOpen Data

Learning in the field (uplift)

7 resources

TokyoNationalMuseum (YouTube)

Official commentary by the national museum. A useful entry to works, eras, and techniques.

Note the title/era/material → also seek related works → compare with contemporary sources to deepen interpretation
VideoPrimary SourceOverview
Cultural HeritageOfficial Video

Nabunken Channel (Official)

An official channel that teaches the perspective of excavation and cultural property research.

Grasp the survey procedure (who/what/how) → drop down to the primary report to confirm
VideoPrimary SourceOverview
Cultural HeritageOfficial Video

3D DB Viewer (Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties)

Observe cultural properties in 3D. Good practice for forming hypotheses about form, use, and making.

Observe (form/material/marks) → propose 1 hypothesis on use → screenshot the parts that became evidence
Primary SourceOverview
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Cultural Properties WebGIS (Nabunken)

Browse cultural properties and ruins nationwide overlaid on a map. Use the relationship between place and era to form questions.

Narrow to a region → toggle layers → hypothesize the reason for clustering → fact-check with reports/terrain
MapStatisticsPrimary Source
Cultural HeritageGISOpen Data

Cultural Heritage Online

Search by place name and the "layers of regional culture" become visible.

Search by place name → list types/eras of cultural properties → form questions from biases in distribution
OverviewPrimary Source
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Japan Arts & Culture Digital Library

Video archive and reference database for traditional performing arts — noh, kabuki, bunraku, and more.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
VideoOverviewGlossary
Cultural HeritageOfficial Video

Bura Tamori (NHK Official)

NHK's geography exploration program where terrain shapes history and culture are revealed.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
Teacher
Video
Cultural HeritageOfficial Video

Weather and clouds (a sense of wonder)

12 resources

JMA | Weather Statistics

Observation data of temperature, precipitation, etc. For analyzing climate change and torrential rains.

Align points/period → look at deviations from the normal → cross-check extreme days against disaster records or news
Statistics
Earth ScienceDisasterOpen Data

Himawari Weather Satellite

When you can see clouds moving, weather and torrential-rain inquiry becomes concrete.

Track cloud development in time series → identify torrential-rain areas → confirm with JMA rainfall data
MapStatistics
Earth ScienceDisasterOpen Data

Met Office (UK)

The UK's official weather and climate agency. Publishes historical observations, climate research, and reanalysis data. Paired with JMA (Japan), lets you read differences between North Atlantic climate and Japan's monsoon climate.

Pick an indicator (temperature / precipitation / wind) and pull UK observations → confirm definitions and station locations → re-pull the same indicator in JMA with the same definition, and explain climate-zone differences
StatisticsInternationalResearch
Earth ScienceEnglish

DWD (Deutscher Wetterdienst)

The English portal of Germany's federal meteorological service. Observations, climate data, and warnings. An official reference for continental European climate, useful for climate comparison with Japan.

Set period and station → pull temperature / precipitation / wind data → align definitions with JMA (Japan) and Met Office (UK) to contrast east-coast / continental / west-coast climates
StatisticsInternationalResearch
Earth ScienceEnglishMultilingual

KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration)

Korea's official meteorological agency (English portal). Publishes observations, forecasts, and climate data. As a neighbour across the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan, one of the easiest meteorological datasets to compare with Japan.

Pick a shared phenomenon (rainy season / typhoons / cold waves) → pull with the same period and definition → compare with JMA (Japan) and explain differences via ocean conditions and topography
StatisticsInternational
Earth ScienceEnglishMultilingual

Climate-Data.org

Climate charts and monthly temperature/precipitation data for thousands of locations worldwide.

Specify period and location → read the climate chart pattern → compare with another region and explain the difference
StatisticsInternational
Earth ScienceEnglish

ClimateCharts.net

Generate climate charts by clicking on a world map. Walter-Lieth diagram available.

Specify period and location → read the climate chart pattern → compare with another region and explain the difference
MapInternational
Earth ScienceEnglish

WorldClim

High-resolution global weather and climate database.

Specify period and location → read the climate chart pattern → compare with another region and explain the difference
StatisticsInternational
Earth ScienceAPI AvailableEnglishOpen Data

NOAA Climate.gov

NOAA's climate maps and visualization tools.

Specify period and location → read the climate chart pattern → compare with another region and explain the difference
StatisticsMapInternational
Earth ScienceAPI AvailableEnglish

WMO International Cloud Atlas

The international standard for cloud classification by WMO. Definitions and identification flowcharts.

Specify period and location → read the climate chart pattern → compare with another region and explain the difference
Primary SourceGlossaryInternational
Earth ScienceEnglish

NICT Himawari Satellite Project

Satellite data archive and downloads from NICT's Himawari project.

Specify period and location → read the climate chart pattern → compare with another region and explain the difference
Statistics
Earth ScienceAPI Available

NASA Worldview

Global daily satellite imagery, updated within 3 hours of observation.

Specify period and location → read the climate chart pattern → compare with another region and explain the difference
MapInternational
Earth ScienceGISEnglish

Geographic primary data

40 resources

Google Earth

A geographic browser to fly around the entire planet in 3D. Visually grasp "the world now and then" through satellite imagery, terrain, 3D buildings, and Timelapse (year-by-year change of satellite photos). The "Voyager" feature also hosts 3D tours of World Heritage sites and stories on endangered species and the SDGs. An entry to geography, history, disaster prevention, and international comparison — usable at any age.

Observe places of interest in 3D → compare year-by-year change with Timelapse → fact-check "why did it change?" with terrain, climate, and statistics
MapStatisticsOverview
GISKids' Entry

Hazard Map Portal

Confirm nationwide disaster risks (flood, landslide, storm surge, tsunami, etc.) from MLIT via the "Layered Hazard Map" and "My Town Hazard Map". An entry for local disaster prevention and geography inquiry.

Identify 3 risk spots → explain the reason (terrain/river/land use) on the map → also confirm evacuation sites
MapStatistics
DisasterGISOpen DataKids' Entry

National Land Numerical Information (GIS data)

GIS data of administrative borders, transport, facilities, etc. Usable for mapping and analysis.

Search by desired layer name → confirm the year/extent of the data → overlay on the map and verify hypotheses
MapStatistics
GISOpen Data

J-SHIS (Seismic Hazard)

An entry to understanding seismic risk "with assumptions explicit".

Read the assumptions (probability period/model) → explain regional differences via terrain and ground
MapStatistics
DisasterGISOpen Data

Real Estate Information Library

Treats transaction prices, land prices, hazards, and city planning on the same map.

Show land prices with hazards/zoning → form a hypothesis → fact-check with statistics/maps
StatisticsMap
GISOpen DataDisaster

JAXA Earth Observation Use

A pathway for how to use satellite data.

Decide the variable (rainfall/vegetation, etc.) and period → compare → cross-check with ground statistics/observations
OverviewStatistics
Natural ScienceEarth ScienceOpen DataAPI Available

Seamless Geological Map (GSJ)

Browse Japan's geological maps seamlessly. Explain terrain, disasters, and resources from "differences in geology".

Decide the point to investigate → read geological unit/age → form a hypothesis tying to terrain, disaster, land use
MapStatisticsPrimary Source
GISEarth ScienceDisasterOpen Data

GeoNavi (GSJ)

A navigation hub to GSJ database groups on geology, terrain, and resources. Strong as a path to drop down to primary data.

Decide one purpose (geology/resources/disaster, etc.) → choose the relevant DB → confirm the source/measurement conditions and cite
OverviewStatisticsPrimary Source
Earth ScienceOpen DataGIS

Historical Map Database (LAPIS | Nichibunken)

A historical map DB that lets you cross-search early-modern to modern maps. Read the change of place names, territories, transport routes, etc. as primary sources.

Search by place name/region → confirm date and purpose (survey/administration/military) → overlay on modern maps and verbalize the difference
MapPrimary SourceOverview
Cultural HeritageGISOpen Data

Rekichizu

Overlay Edo, Meiji, and prewar old maps semi-transparently on modern maps. Visually read changes in place names, waterways, and roads. An entry to historical geography, usable from elementary to professional.

Switch the same place by era → verbalize changes in place names, roads, waterways → ask "why is the castle town/urban area here?"
MapPrimary Source
Cultural HeritageGISKids' Entry

National Q Map (Qchizu)

A site (independently run) that, with operations similar to the GSI Map, lets you overlay red-relief maps, contour lines, individually tiled old topographic maps, and detailed terrain maps. Supports two-pane display, measurement, drawing, and printing — works from middle-school regional / disaster-prevention / high school geography to university research and field surveys.

Open from "Open Map" → toggle ON layers of interest (relief/old/external tiles, etc.) → fix the view, then record the screenshot, URL, and viewing date in your report
MapOverviewResearch
GISDisasterCultural Heritage

Japan Coast Guard | Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department

Japan's official source for seafloor topography, tides, ocean currents, territorial seas, and 3D marine maps. A primary information source for reading the links between landform, safety, fisheries, and the marine environment.

Pick a sea area → choose one layer (seafloor topography / tides / currents) → overlay the adjacent land topography on GSI Map and explain how land and sea connect
MapStatistics
GISEarth ScienceDisasterOpen Data

NIED | Volcano Activity Visualization System (VIVA)

A volcano-visualization system from Japan's National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED). Seismic, tilt, temperature, and satellite observations are unified on a map so you can read "what is happening at this volcano now".

Pick a volcano → choose one signal (seismic / tilt / temperature) and read its time series → cross-reference with JMA volcano advisories and put the meaning of the observed values into words
MapStatistics
DisasterEarth ScienceGISOpen Data

KuniJiban (Borehole logs from MLIT / NEXCO and others)

An official database that lets you pull borehole survey logs (columnar sections) by location, published by Japanese public-infrastructure bodies. You can see, as a primary source, which layers underlie your own town.

Pick a point on the map → open the columnar log and read layer thickness and groundwater level → layer it with hazard maps and geological maps to explain "ground-shaking and liquefaction risk"
MapStatisticsPrimary Source
DisasterGISEarth ScienceOpen Data

Old Maps Online

An international portal that cross-searches historical maps held by libraries and archives worldwide, from a geographic location. Complements David Rumsey for reading the same place across multiple period maps.

Draw a box on your place of interest → compare historical maps by year → follow the holding-institution link for details (title / year / maker), then overlay with the GSI Map
Primary SourceMapInternational
Cultural HeritageEnglish

GEBCO (Global Bathymetry)

The official global bathymetric dataset jointly maintained by IHO and the IOC of UNESCO. The standard reference for "submarine topography" counterpart to the GSI Map, usable as the marine side of Create GBM's 3D terrain.

Pick a sea area → observe trenches, ridges, and seamounts → overlay with JMA and JCG ocean data to relate seabed form to currents / fisheries / earthquakes
MapStatisticsInternational
Earth ScienceOpen DataEnglish

Ordnance Survey (UK)

The UK's official mapping agency and one of the origins of modern cartographic surveying. Publishes precise topographic maps, administrative boundaries, and digital mapping. A strong comparison point for how "national maps" are made against GSI (Japan).

Pick a dataset by topic (urban / nature / boundary) → check legend and survey year → put it next to GSI Map data with the same theme and articulate "how each country maps itself"
MapInternational
EnglishGIS

British Geological Survey (BGS)

The UK's national geological survey. Publishes geological maps, subsurface, earthquake, and environmental-geology data. Paired with GSJ (Japan), gives an international lens on "reading the land through geology".

Pick a UK region of interest → read rock types and ages from the geological map → compare with GSJ's Seamless geological map and explain differences via plate tectonics and orogenic belts
MapStatisticsInternational
Earth ScienceOpen DataEnglish

IGN France | Géoportail

The official web map operated by France's national mapping agency (IGN). Layer topography, aerial photos, boundaries, and historical maps for all of France in the browser — a French counterpart to the GSI Map.

Pick a region → overlay multiple layers (topo / historical / aerial) → apply the same reading to Japan on the GSI Map and compare the "grammar" of maps
MapInternational
MultilingualGIS

Geoscience Australia

Australia's national geoscience and surveying agency. Provides comprehensive maps, landform, geology, and natural-hazard data. A Southern Hemisphere / continental-scale reference point for terrain inquiry.

Pick a theme (earthquake / minerals / coastline) → check resolution and observation year → compare with Japan (GSJ / JMA / JCG) to articulate differences in geographic conditions
MapStatisticsInternational
Earth ScienceOpen DataEnglish

LINZ (Land Information New Zealand)

New Zealand's official geo-information agency. Open topographic maps, aerial photos, cadastre, nautical charts, and place-name data. As an island nation on a plate boundary, comparable to Japan in geography.

Pick an NZ region → open topography / fault / volcano layers → pair with GSI Map and J-SHIS to relate island-arc topography to earthquakes and volcanism
MapInternational
EnglishOpen DataGIS

BKG (Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy, Germany)

The English portal of Germany's federal mapping and geodesy agency (BKG). Publishes national terrain, boundary, and administrative data. A model case for a continental European map-data system.

Pick a German region → take a first look via terrain / boundary / administrative layers → put it next to GSI Map and national land data, and read the cartographic differences between federalism and centralism
MapInternational
EnglishMultilingualGIS

Copernicus Open Access Hub

The official data hub of the EU / ESA Earth observation programme Copernicus. Sentinel optical and radar observations are available for free. The international standard for high-resolution satellite imagery inquiry on land use, disasters, and agriculture.

Set region and period → pick Sentinel-1 (radar) or Sentinel-2 (optical) as appropriate → respect licence terms and compare with JAXA data to evaluate observation differences
MapStatisticsInternationalResearch
Earth ScienceOpen DataEnglishAPI Available

Google Earth Engine

A planet-scale satellite-data analysis platform Google provides free for research, education, and non-profits. Landsat, Sentinel, and MODIS can all be analysed in the cloud. Since it is privately operated, confirm terms of use before applying it.

Apply for research / non-profit access → set region and period → start from existing tutorials and always cross-check results with official sources (GSI / JAXA)
MapStatisticsInternationalResearch
Open DataEnglishAPI Available

GHSL (Global Human Settlement Layer, EC JRC)

A global database of human settlement (cities / population / buildings) maintained by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. Combining satellite and statistics, it allows worldwide time-series comparison of urbanisation.

Pick an urban region → pull population distribution / building density / urban extent over time → pair with Japan's National Land Numerical Information and residents' registers to articulate urbanisation differences
MapStatisticsInternationalResearch
Open DataEnglish

WorldPop (High-resolution global population)

A high-resolution global population distribution dataset published by the WorldPop international project centred on the University of Southampton. Integrates censuses and satellite observations to compare small-area populations globally. Widely used for disaster, health, and education policy research.

Pick target country / year / resolution → take the population raster → cross-check with local statistical offices (e.g., e-Stat for Japan) to confirm model validity before drawing conclusions
MapStatisticsInternationalResearch
Open DataEnglish

GADM (Global Administrative Areas)

An international-standard dataset of administrative boundaries down to city / municipality level. Freely available as base layers for overlaying statistics in GIS. For commercial use, confirm the licence separately.

Pick the country and level (country / state / district) → fetch GeoJSON / Shapefile → respect the licence and overlay with WorldPop or national statistics on identical boundaries
MapInternational
Open DataEnglishGIS

David Rumsey Map Collection (Historical World-Maps Archive)

A public digital archive at Stanford University Libraries holding over 150,000 historical maps of the world, 15th century to present, at high resolution. Even young learners can enjoy "how people used to picture the world" as images.

Search by region or period → zoom in on one sheet and observe details → note 3 things that are shown and 3 things that are not → place it beside a Japanese historical map (e.g. Rekichizu, Imashi Map) to compare how each age pictured the world
Primary SourceMapInternational
Cultural HeritageOpen DataEnglishKids' Entry

PLATEAU (3D City Models)

MLIT's 3D city models. Buildings and features derived from aerial survey data, freely available.

Load the layers you need → read the spatial pattern → explain 'why' with related data
Map
GISOpen DataOfficial VideoAPI Available

G-Spatial Information Center

The national portal for distributing geospatial data from government and research institutions.

Load the layers you need → read the spatial pattern → explain 'why' with related data
MapStatistics
GISOpen Data

Hinata GIS

Overlay open data on GSI maps, aerial photos, geological maps, and 3D terrain visualizations.

Load the layers you need → read the spatial pattern → explain 'why' with related data
Map
GISOpen Data

Geological Survey of Japan — Geological Map Downloads

Download geological maps and data from the Geological Survey of Japan (AIST).

Load the layers you need → read the spatial pattern → explain 'why' with related data
MapStatistics
GISOpen Data

Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion

Long-term evaluations of active faults and subduction-zone earthquakes, and strong-motion predictions.

Confirm the current version date → look up the article number → trace amendments to understand 'why it changed'
Law & PolicyResearch
Disaster

Earthquake Research HQ — Active Fault Database

National database of active fault evaluations by Japan's Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion.

Specify the period and region → check definitions and footnotes → compare across primary sources
Statistics
DisasterGIS

AIST — Active Fault Database of Japan

AIST's comprehensive active fault database with GIS data and evaluation reports.

Specify the period and region → check definitions and footnotes → compare across primary sources
Statistics
DisasterGISAPI Available

MANDARA (Free GIS Software)

Free GIS software designed for education — create thematic maps from statistical data.

Load the layers you need → read the spatial pattern → explain 'why' with related data
Materials & Guidance
GIS

Hydrological and Water Quality Database

National database of hydrological and water quality data from rivers and lakes across Japan.

Specify the period and region → check definitions and footnotes → compare across primary sources
Statistics
DisasterEarth Science

GSI Map and Aerial Photo Browsing Service

Aerial photos from the 1950s onward, freely viewable and downloadable at 400 dpi.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Teacher
MapPrimary Source
GISOpen Data

GSI Map Channel (YouTube)

Official YouTube channel of the Geospatial Information Authority — tutorials, time-lapse maps, and geographic features.

Watch and note 3 key terms → record what caught your eye most → discuss 'Why?' at home or school
Teacher
Video
GISOfficial Video

City Roads (anvaka)

Type any city name and this visualiser draws every road it finds in OpenStreetMap as a single line-art plate. Lets you read the shape of a city at a glance — grid, radial, or organic where rivers and coastlines have reshaped it — and line up two cities side by side for comparison.

Render two cities on screen at once → put the pattern type (grid / radial / organic) into words → back up the reason (terrain, history, urban planning) on GSI Map or a historical-maps viewer
MapStatistics
GISOpen DataKids' Entry

Statistics & open data

17 resources

e-Stat (Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan)

Cross-search government statistics. The first stop for "numerical evidence" in your inquiry report.

①Search → ②table → ③definition/method → ④cite the source (table no., year)
Statistics
Open DataAPI Available

Statistics Bureau (MIC)

An entry to the background and disclosures of base statistics such as the National Census.

Read the survey purpose/definition → identify the necessary table → cite with source (table name, year)
OverviewStatistics
Open Data

RESAS (Regional Economy & Society Analyzing System)

Visualizes population, industry, tourism, and more by prefecture / municipality with maps and graphs. Strong for forming "why?" questions about regional differences.

Trends seen = hypothesis → confirm the same indicator on e-Stat etc. → look for reasons in maps/primary sources
StatisticsMapOverview
GISOpen Data

data.e-gov (Open Data)

A catalog to find ministerial open data at the "dataset level".

Dataset → confirm provider/update frequency → land on charts that can be reproduced with the same procedure
Statistics
Open DataAPI Available

MLIT Data Platform

Cross-search and visualize MLIT-related data.

Catch the trend with visualization → confirm indicator definitions/units → align conditions for regional comparison
Statistics
Open DataGIS

Bank of Japan | Statistics

Money, prices, foreign exchange, and flow of funds — core numbers for the Japanese economy, published officially by Japan's central bank with time-series search and an API. Sound evidence for tracing long-run change.

Pick an indicator (prices / FX / financial) → fix the period and series → align definitions with another central bank (FRED) or the IMF for comparison
Statistics
Open DataAPI Available

MAFF | Agricultural Statistics

A primary information source from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, covering the official statistics on food, agriculture, and fisheries. Crop-by-crop output, shipments, and self-sufficiency are available as maps, tables, and CSV — directly supporting local-industry inquiry.

Narrow down by crop / region / year → always read the definition (harvest vs. shipped volume etc.) → put it next to FAOSTAT's figures for the same commodity to explain "where Japan stands"
StatisticsOverview
Open Data

Agency for Natural Resources and Energy | Comprehensive Energy Statistics

Japan's official figures on energy supply and demand, published as primary information. Covers renewables, fossil fuels, electricity, and consumption — indispensable evidence for climate and energy-policy inquiry.

Pick an indicator (power mix / final consumption / CO2) → align units and years → place it against the same indicator in IEA to put Japan in perspective
Statistics
Open DataEarth Science

NIES | Environmental Numerical Database

Official numerical readings on Japan's environment — air, water, greenhouse gases, and chemical substances — published as a primary source. Operated by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) for research and education use.

Pick an environmental indicator (air / water / GHG) → fix the station and period → compare with JMA climatological data or international bodies (WHO / IPCC) to explain "how the environment is changing"
StatisticsResearch
Earth ScienceOpen Data

ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office think tank that officially publishes Japan's quarterly GDP, leading indicators, and the Annual Report on the Japanese Economy. Lets you verify the primary source behind policy discussions and serves as a starting point for policy-economy inquiry.

Open the quarterly GDP or leading indicators → confirm the quarter and base year → align definitions with BOJ and MIC stats to check consistency of the business-cycle picture
StatisticsResearch
Open Data

Forestry Agency | Forest and Forestry Statistics

Official Forestry Agency statistics covering national / private forest area, forest resources, and mountain-village areas. Combined with MAFF statistics, gives a full picture of forests, timber, and mountain-village economy.

Pick a region (prefecture / municipality) → look at forest resource volume → check species and age-class distribution → relate to forestry output and timber supply to describe mountain-village economy
Statistics
Open Data

GBIF Japan Node (JBIF)

Japan's window for GBIF, the international framework for sharing biodiversity information. Publishes distribution and specimen data from Japanese museums and research institutions globally. Connects local nature observation to the same-species data worldwide.

Search the observed species' scientific name → view distribution points in Japan → trace from JBIF to GBIF global and compare the worldwide distribution
StatisticsResearch
Natural ScienceOpen DataAPI Available

NIID (National Institute of Infectious Diseases)

The national institute that officially publishes surveillance of infectious diseases, pathogen information, and outbreak predictions. A primary source for treating infectious diseases as "a social phenomenon checkable with data" rather than emotion.

Pick the disease of interest and view weekly surveillance → check trends by age and region → cross-reference MHLW statistics and WHO GHO to explain Japan's position
StatisticsResearch
Open Data

National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (IPSS)

The Japanese national research institute that publishes the official projections of future population, household structure, and social security. A primary reference when discussing aging, low fertility, or regional demographic change.

Open the latest population projection → read the assumptions (fertility / mortality / migration) → compare with other countries (e.g. UNDP) and put into words "which assumption differs and why"
StatisticsResearch
Open Data

OpenStreetMap Japan

Japan's node of the global open geographic database — editable maps built by community contributors.

Load the layers you need → read the spatial pattern → explain 'why' with related data
Map
GISOpen DataAPI Available

Wikimedia Commons

Free media repository — images, audio, video, and documents with verified licenses for reuse.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Overview
Open DataMultilingualEnglish

Japan Dashboard (Economy, Finance, Population, and Everyday Life)

An official dashboard jointly built by the Cabinet Office, the Digital Agency, and the Cabinet Secretariat that exposes about 1,000 indicators at the prefecture and municipality level. Indicators span population, economy, social security, education, living, social infrastructure, and local public finance — and can be viewed on a map, compared across regions, plotted as two-indicator relationships, or trended against four indicators side by side. Functions as a single entry point to Japan's regional differences that pairs well with e-Stat and RESAS.

Pick one indicator inside a theme that matters to you (population, healthcare, education…) → read regional differences on the map or the peer-comparison view → re-pull the same indicator on e-Stat or RESAS with matched definition and year, and cite it as the source of record
StatisticsMapResearch
Open DataGIS

Historical primary sources

65 resources

NDL Digital Collections

Old maps, classics, books, magazines. Direct access to primary sources.

Confirm "date / creator / purpose" → record citations with page numbers
Primary Source
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Japan Search

A national integrated platform, with the National Diet Library at its core, that cross-searches digital materials of museums, libraries, archives, and universities. Themed "Galleries" are also rich.

Narrow with search term + era/place → confirm metadata (holding/rights) → record the source
Primary SourceOverview
Cultural HeritageOpen DataAPI Available

NDL Search

For materials not in the Digital Collections, search "holdings" and head to a library.

Confirm holding institutions → decide how to obtain (browse/copy/Digital Collections) → reach the primary
Primary SourceOverview
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Research Navi (NDL)

A "how to research" guide by theme from the NDL. Bibliographies, field-specific guides, and reference lists are abundant — usable as a starting point for teachers researching materials for inquiry lessons.

Read the "how to research" of the relevant theme → extract keywords / references and execute
Teacher
Overview
Open Data

National Archives Digital Archive

Browse Japan's public records as primary sources. A basis for institutional and political history.

Confirm date/issuing authority → extract the citation → expand to related laws/minutes to follow causality
Primary Source
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (JACAR)

Modern records of Japan and Asian relations. The catalog is powerful.

Keyword → catalog → narrow by subject/year → record citation info (record ID, etc.)
Primary Source
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Kobe University Newspaper Article Library

Full-text search of newspaper articles from Meiji to early Showa. Trace public opinion, events, and social conditions in modern history.

Note the headline/date/tone → cross-check with the same day's gazette/public records → reduce interpretive bias
Primary Source
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

NHK Archives | Broadcasting Cultural Assets

An official archive that traces the history of broadcasting. From programs, chronologies, and themes, build an entry to background understanding and primary sources (footage).

Narrow by era → theme → program → extract "when/where/who/what happened" → cross-check with other sources
VideoOverviewPrimary Source
Cultural HeritageOfficial Video

NHK Archives | Japan News (primary)

Footage that recorded society of the time as a primary source. Read it including the perspective of reporting (what is shown, what is not).

Record date/place/narration → summarize the footage's claim in one sentence → fact-check with newspapers, gazette, statistics of the era
Primary SourceVideo
Cultural HeritageOfficial Video

Tokyo Metropolitan Archives | Digital Archive

An entry to primary sources (public records) on the administration, policy, and urban formation of Tokyo. Trace modern municipal/social/economic change with evidence.

Description of the record group → confirm date / issuing authority / use → record citation → cross-check with related sources, newspapers, gazette
Primary SourceOverview
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Comprehensive Database of Archaeological Site Reports in Japan (Nabunken)

Cross-search excavation reports and reach the primary source (the report) that provides the evidence.

Narrow by region × era × type → read survey overview / figures / find context → record citation
Primary SourceResearch
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

e-National Treasures (e-Museum)

Ideal for practicing reading images as primary sources.

Confirm production year/material/provenance → describe 3 elements of the image → compare with contemporary sources
OverviewPrimary Source
Cultural HeritageKids' Entry

National Archives | Digital Exhibitions

Catch the "flow of history" by themed exhibitions, then descend into primary sources.

Catch the flow with the chronology → identify source titles to cite → reach the originals in the digital archive
OverviewPrimary Source
Cultural Heritage

NDL Image Bank

Form questions from visual materials such as photographs and ukiyo-e.

Confirm date/place/captions → enumerate visible elements → cross-check with other sources to interpret
Primary SourceOverview
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Portraits of Modern Japanese Historical Figures (NDL)

An entry that broadens from individuals to social structure and the era's background.

Grasp the person's active period → memo related organizations/events → advance to primary sources such as newspapers/public records
Primary SourceOverview
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

National Museum of Japanese History | Web Gallery

View historical materials as "objects to think with".

Copy the question of the exhibition → memo the source titles that became evidence → access primary sources of the same theme
OverviewPrimary Source
Cultural Heritage

National Film Archive of Japan | Collection Search

Japan's sole national film institution, preserving domestic films and newsreels. Its official search makes the holdings available as a primary source for reading the "way society was seen" at the time of production.

Narrow by period / theme → record production year, maker, and material → ask "why was this footage preserved?" and cross-reference with same-period newspapers and the Official Gazette
Primary SourceVideoOverview
Cultural Heritage

National Museum of Japanese History (Rekihaku) | Databases

A cross-disciplinary database suite from an Inter-University Research Institute dedicated to Japanese history and folklore. Folklore, archaeology, old documents, and modern history are all searchable — use it together with integrated-resource-studies (khirin) for maximum depth.

Pick a database by theme / period → record creation date and holding information → expand to related primary sources (NDL, JACAR, National Archives)
Primary SourceResearchOverview
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

khirin (National Institutes for the Humanities | Integrated Resource DB)

The official cross-search portal centred on the National Museum of Japanese History, covering university, museum, and municipal historical resources. IIIF-enabled image comparison, combined with the Rekihaku DBs, makes it a core entry point for Japanese history research.

Cross-search by person / place / period → compare images in a IIIF viewer → trace back to the source institution's page to confirm provenance and rights
Primary SourceResearch
Cultural HeritageOpen DataGIS

Imperial Household Archives (Imperial Household Agency)

The Imperial Household Agency's official archive holding imperial and agency documents, gyobutsu (imperial treasures), and premodern records. A starting point for tracing the primary sources of the modern imperial institution and court rituals.

Decide the period (Meiji / Taishō / Shōwa) and theme → identify records via the catalogue → confirm access procedures and conditions in advance
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

NIJL | Kokusho (Japanese Classics) Database

The current entry point integrating databases such as the New Database of Pre-Modern Japanese Works, run by the National Institute of Japanese Literature. High-resolution images of manuscripts, printed books, and illustrated books — a shared base for classical Japanese literature and historical research.

Search by title / author / period → verify the text via images → check linked transcriptions / annotations and note overlap with other holding institutions
Primary SourceResearch
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

NWEC | Women's Information Archive (WINET)

A public archive aggregating women's history, gender policy, and related statistics. Lets you search primary sources, policy papers, and statistics in one place — essential entry point for gender and family-history inquiry.

Decide the period and theme (education / labour / policy) → pull primary sources and statistics in parallel → confirm rights at the original provider
Primary SourceStatisticsResearch
Open Data

Okinawa Prefectural Archives

A public archive holding records of Okinawa from the Ryūkyū Kingdom through the US administration and post-reversion periods. Easy to pair with US NARA holdings on Japan, making it a strong primary-source entry point for modern Okinawan history.

Decide the period (Ryūkyū / US administration / post-reversion) → search digitised materials → cross-reference with US-side records at NARA for the same period
Primary SourceInternational
Cultural Heritage

Kyoto Prefectural Library and Archives (Rekisaikan)

A prefectural archive that comprehensively handles Kyoto's old documents, historical maps, administrative records, and publications. A "place-rooted primary-source" starting point for regional history and cultural-heritage research.

Decide the area and period → identify old documents / maps in the catalogue → confirm on-site viewing or reproduction terms
Primary SourceOverview
Cultural Heritage

National Archives of Japan | Tsukuba Branch

A large-scale repository of the National Archives of Japan for modern public records. Alongside the Tokyo main branch, an essential archive for modern Japanese political and administrative history, used mostly by universities and researchers.

Identify records via the National Archives catalogue → confirm whether they are held at Tokyo or Tsukuba → book access and review rules in advance
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

NIDS (National Institute for Defense Studies) | Military History Research Center

The Ministry of Defense's official research institute preserving former Army / Navy war records and publishing contemporary security studies. With JACAR, lets you reach primary sources of military and war history.

Narrow by period and unit / region in the catalogue → build context with published war histories → cross-search digitised material in JACAR
Primary SourceResearch
Cultural Heritage

NARA (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)

The U.S. national archives. Publishes over 200 million digitised pages, including not only U.S. primary records but also documents on Occupation-era Japan and the U.S. military — vital for Japanese history research. Use the dedicated catalogue to search.

Decide the period and theme (Occupation / military / diplomacy) → find record IDs in the catalogue → cross-check with Japanese counterparts (JACAR / Diplomatic Archives)
Primary SourceInternational
English

Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archives)

Germany's federal archives. Holds federal-level records from the Imperial, Weimar, Nazi, East / West German, and contemporary periods. Essential primary-source entry for 20th-century German and international-relations history.

Decide the period (Empire / Weimar / Third Reich / post-war) → locate holdings via online catalogue → cross-reference with other national archives for a multilateral view
Primary SourceInternational
EnglishMultilingual

Archives nationales (France)

The national archives of France. Holds central-government records from the Ancien Régime through the Republic and modern period; invaluable for French Revolution, colonial, and diplomatic-history primary sources.

Decide the period and theme → locate holdings via the SIV online catalogue → for Revolution / colonial topics, also consult each overseas archive in parallel
Primary SourceInternational
Multilingual

National Archives of Japan | Related links (World archives directory)

The official directory of world national archives maintained by the National Archives of Japan. Cross-trace counterparts by country / region — a hub for international comparison and multilateral history research.

Pick the target country → check the archive's search language and classification → cross-reference with Japanese counterparts (NAA / Diplomatic Archives / JACAR)
OverviewPrimary SourceInternational
EnglishMultilingual

British Library

The national library of the UK. Holds a world-class collection including manuscripts, maps, and codices, and publishes many digitised materials. Strong as a primary-source entry point for world history, cartographic history, and bibliography.

Search by theme / material type → check high-resolution images → record shelf numbers and rights, and note overlap with other national libraries
Primary SourceInternational
Cultural HeritageEnglish

DigiVatLib (Vatican Library Digital Manuscripts)

The Vatican Apostolic Library's digital manuscripts and rare books. Medieval European, Byzantine, and Asian-related materials are viewable in high resolution — first-rate primary sources worldwide.

Search by shelfmark (MS number) → follow gatherings in the high-resolution viewer → read alongside related manuscripts and transcription editions
Primary SourceInternational
Cultural HeritageMultilingual

Trove (National Library of Australia)

A public cross-search portal centred on the National Library of Australia, covering AU / NZ records, newspapers, images, and maps. Rich in colonial, Pacific-War, and Indigenous-related primary sources.

Narrow by topic / period / media type → verify scanned image and OCR of newspaper articles → build a multilateral view alongside Japanese contemporaneous sources
Primary SourceInternational
English

DigitalNZ

Run by the National Library of New Zealand, this portal cross-searches cultural materials from NZ museums, archives, and libraries. Also handles Māori culture, settler history, and war-related materials.

Narrow by topic / provider → trace back to source institutions → build a multilateral view with Trove (AU) and US / UK counterparts
Primary SourceInternational
English

National Library of Korea

Korea's National Central Library. Digitisation of primary sources on modern Korean and Joseon history is advancing, with many Japanese-language materials as well. Essential for bidirectional inquiry into Japan–Korea relations.

Search by period and language (Hangul / Hanja / Japanese) → view digitised materials → cross-check with Japanese counterparts (NDL / JACAR / Diplomatic Archives)
Primary SourceInternational
Multilingual

HathiTrust Digital Library

A shared digital library run by U.S. research-library consortia. Makes public a vast body of full-text-searchable digital materials, mostly out-of-copyright books. A standard base for researchers worldwide to cross-reference primary and secondary sources.

Search by title / author → confirm whether full text is available → record place / year of publication and source library when citing
Primary SourceResearchInternational
EnglishOpen Data

Project Gutenberg

A pioneering project that digitises and freely publishes out-of-copyright books worldwide. Over 70,000 classics and landmark works available in full text. Useful for confirming originals when using scholarly translations.

Search by author and language → confirm the edition (first / critical) → read alongside modern Japanese translations to trace historical phrasings
Primary SourceInternational
EnglishMultilingualOpen Data

JSAI | Japanese Society for Archival Institutions

A meta-link list covering all of Japan's prefectural and municipal archives, records offices, and historical-materials repositories. The shortest path to your own region's archive.

Find your own regional archive from the list → check its holdings and opening hours → go directly to the primary sources of your local and municipal history
Primary SourceOverview
Cultural Heritage

ColBase (National Museums Cross-Search)

Cross-search of four national museums, two research institutes, and Sannomaru Shozokan.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural HeritageMultilingual

Tokyo National Museum — Image Search

Image search of artifacts held at the Tokyo National Museum.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

Intangible Cultural Heritage Database (TOBUNKEN)

Comprehensive database of Japan's intangible cultural properties from the Tokyo National Research Institute.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

National Designated Cultural Property Database

Official database of nationally designated cultural properties — historical sites, buildings, crafts, and performing arts.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

ADEAC (Digital Archive of Local History)

Local history digital platform covering 188 institutions, 1.11 million catalog records, and 300,000 content items.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

Linguistic Atlas of Japan (NINJAL)

300 maps showing geographic distribution of dialects, published as PDFs.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
MapPrimary Source
Cultural Heritage

Grammar Atlas of Japanese Dialects (NINJAL)

300 maps showing the geographic distribution of grammatical features in Japanese dialects, as PDFs.

Load the layers you need → read the spatial pattern → explain 'why' with related data
Map
Cultural Heritage

Historical Place Name Map (CODH)

CODH's GIS map linking historical place names to modern geography.

Load the layers you need → read the spatial pattern → explain 'why' with related data
Map
GIS

Historical Place Name Data (NIHU)

Historical place name dataset from the National Institutes for the Humanities.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Open Data

Kokugakuin — Kojiki Place Name Database

Database of place names appearing in the Kojiki, Japan's oldest chronicle, compiled by Kokugakuin University.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

GeoShape Repository — Historical Place Name Integrated Search

Integrated search across historical place name datasets using the GeoShape spatial data repository.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
GIS

Historiographical Institute (UTokyo) — Database

Scholarly databases from the University of Tokyo's Historiographical Institute — the core of Japanese historical research.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

Historiographical Institute — Japanese History Terminology Glossary

Japanese historical terminology with English translations, compiled by UTokyo's Historiographical Institute.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Glossary
Multilingual

Europeana

Cross-search digital archives of cultural institutions across the EU.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
InternationalPrimary Source
MultilingualOpen Data

Gallica (Bibliothèque nationale de France)

Browse printed works, manuscripts, scores, and maps from the French National Library — includes a kids' corner.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
InternationalPrimary Source
Kids' Entry

Library of Congress

The largest library in the world — primary sources, digital collections, and research guides.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
InternationalPrimary Source
English

DPLA (Digital Public Library of America)

Cross-search digital collections from US libraries, archives, and museums in one portal.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
InternationalPrimary Source
English

Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek (German Digital Library)

Germany's national digital library portal cross-searching cultural and scientific heritage institutions.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
InternationalPrimary Source

Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes

The largest online library of Hispanic literature and culture in Spanish-speaking history.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
InternationalPrimary Source
Multilingual

Classical Japanese Dataset (CODH)

Classical works including The Tale of Genji, Essays in Idleness, and Tales of Ise, released for elementary–high school education.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural HeritageOpen Data

Tale of Genji Illustrated Scroll (Gotoh Museum)

National treasure — the oldest surviving illustrated handscroll in Japan. Suzumushi, Yugiri, Minori chapters.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

Tale of Genji Illustrated Scroll (Tokugawa Art Museum)

National treasure — part of the Owari Tokugawa family collection, remounted as 15 handscrolls in 2020.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

Tale of Genji Illustrated Scroll (NDL Image Bank)

High-resolution images of the Tale of Genji Illustrated Scroll from the NDL digital archive.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

Waseda University — Classical Japanese Literature Database

Comprehensive database of classical Japanese texts from Waseda University Library.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

Kyoto National Museum — Collection Database

Search the collection of the Kyoto National Museum online.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural Heritage

Uchina Minwa no Heya (Okinawa Prefectural Museum)

Okinawan folktales recorded from 1973 by the Okinawa Prefectural Museum, in the Shima-kutuba dialect.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural HeritageOfficial Video

Ainu Folklore Library (Upopoy National Ainu Museum)

25 audio recordings in Saru Ainu dialect by speaker Ueda Toshi, with PDFs, MP3s, and picture books.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
Primary Source
Cultural HeritageOfficial Video

Civic primary information

13 resources

e-Gov Laws Search

Confirm laws and ordinances as primary information. Effective dates and revision history are crucial.

Article → effective date → revision history → also follow referenced/delegated provisions to construct the whole picture
Law & PolicyPrimary Source
Open DataAPI Available

Diet Records Search

Trace "who said what, on what basis".

Bill name/keyword → extract debate points → cite with speaker, meeting name, date and time
Law & PolicyPrimary Source
Open Data

Internet Edition of the Official Gazette (Kanpou)

Primary source for "when and what was officially announced" in Japan — notifications and public notices. Since April 2025 the electronic edition is the authentic, official version; recent issues are freely readable online.

Search by date → read the notification/notice → chronologize the "when" of institutional change → cross-reference with Diet Records and e-Gov Laws
Law & PolicyPrimary Source
Open Data

e-Gov Public Comment

From solicitation of opinions → results → laws and notifications. Trace the flow of policy formation.

Case → opinion summary → read results → connect to the final law/notification to grasp the flow
Law & Policy
Open Data

Courts of Japan | Case Law Search

Trace points of contention and reasoning.

Points of contention → judgment reasons → summarize the conclusion in one sentence → look for similar precedents to compare
Law & PolicyPrimary Source
Open Data

MOFA | Diplomatic Archives

Japan's official archive preserving diplomatic records and treaty originals from the Meiji era onwards. A primary source you can go to directly, for the evidence behind modern international relations, security, and treaties.

Narrow by theme (treaties / diplomatic negotiations / post-war settlement) → distinguish treaty text from annexes → cross-reference with Diet Records and the Official Gazette to reconstruct the policy-making trail
Primary SourceLaw & Policy
Cultural Heritage

UN Treaty Collection

The official database maintained by the United Nations for multilateral treaties and bilateral agreements. Adoption date, entry into force, and full state-party lists are available as primary information for international law. Mostly English, but navigable through treaty names and state-party tables.

Search by treaty name → record adoption date, entry into force, and ratification status → cross-reference against Japan's Diplomatic Archives and e-Gov Laws to trace domestic implementation
Law & PolicyPrimary SourceInternational
Open DataEnglishMultilingual

EUR-Lex (Official access to EU law)

The unified official portal to search EU law, treaties, and case law. Lets you trace how EU regulations and directives correspond to member-state domestic law — a starting point for comparative legal-system inquiry.

Search regulations by theme (data protection / environment / trade) → read preamble and operative text → align with Japan's related laws (e-Gov Laws) and organise the correspondence
Law & PolicyInternationalPrimary Source
EnglishMultilingualOpen Data

WIPO Lex (IP laws and treaties worldwide)

WIPO's official database that cross-searches national IP laws and international treaties. A primary source for international comparison of copyright, patent, and trademark.

Narrow by country and right (copyright / patent / trademark) → confirm treaty membership → contrast with Japanese law (Copyright Act / Patent Act)
Law & PolicyInternational
EnglishMultilingualOpen Data

ICJ (International Court of Justice)

The UN's principal judicial organ. Publishes judgments, advisory opinions, and filings in their original texts. Lets you read the intersection of inter-state disputes and international law in primary-source form.

Pick a case → compare the judgment with separate opinions → if Japan is a party or interested state, read alongside the Diplomatic Archives
Law & PolicyPrimary SourceInternational
EnglishMultilingual

UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies

The official database of the UN treaty bodies monitoring implementation of human rights treaties. Cross-search state reports, committee observations, and individual-communication decisions by treaty and country.

Narrow by treaty / country / session → contrast state reports, observations, and concluding observations → for observations on Japan, cross-reference MOFA / MHLW response documents
Law & PolicyInternational
EnglishMultilingualOpen Data

NDL — Japanese Law Index

The National Diet Library's index to historical and current Japanese laws and ordinances.

Confirm the current version date → look up the article number → trace amendments to understand 'why it changed'
Law & Policy

Nagoya University — Historical Law Database

Database of historical Japanese laws compiled by Nagoya University — for tracing legal change over time.

Confirm the current version date → look up the article number → trace amendments to understand 'why it changed'
Law & PolicyResearch

Academic

21 resources

CiNii Research

Build a "trail" from abstracts, keywords, and references.

Abstract → keywords → follow references → drop down to primary sources/statistics to verify
Research
Open Data

J-STAGE

Useful for academic verification. Cross-disciplinary.

Read the methods (data/method) → confirm conditions of the conclusion → consider whether you can apply it to your own question
Research
Open Data

CODH (Center for Open Data in the Humanities)

Learn the ideas of digitizing sources and metadata.

Read metadata (creation method/scope) → confirm terms of use → memo the procedure for re-analysis
ResearchStatisticsPrimary Source
Open DataCultural Heritage

Issue Brief (NDL)

High-quality issue summaries. From here, drop down to primaries.

Read the issue summary → reach primary sources from the citations → prepare your claim and counter-evidence as a set
ResearchOverview
Open Data

arXiv (Preprint Server)

A world-standard open-access preprint server for physics, mathematics, and computer science, where researchers post their latest papers directly. Operated by Cornell University, with free full-text access.

Search by keyword → check submission date / field / author → remember it is preprint, then compare with the final version in a peer-reviewed venue (J-STAGE / CORE etc.)
ResearchInternational
Open DataEnglish

PubMed (Biomedical Literature Database)

The world's largest literature-search system for medicine and life sciences, run by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Over 30 million records, freely searchable.

Narrow with MeSH terms → always check peer-review status and the journal → read the abstract and branch to related works → cross-reference with Japanese literature (CiNii / J-STAGE)
ResearchInternational
Open DataEnglishAPI Available

Zenodo (CERN Research Data Repository)

An international repository operated by CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), offering free preservation and sharing of research data, papers, and software — with DOIs automatically minted so the records are citable.

Search by keyword → always check the licence → record DOI and creators from the metadata → for citation, judge whether the form is reproducible
ResearchInternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishAPI Available

DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)

A non-profit, curated whitelist of peer-reviewed open-access journals from around the world. A reliable starting point that lets you avoid predatory journals when searching open-access literature.

Narrow by discipline / language → read each journal's peer-review policy → place it beside J-STAGE (Japan) to see your field's major open-access venues
ResearchInternational
Open DataEnglishMultilingual

NICT (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology)

A national research institute under MIC publishing research outcomes and official data on radio propagation, space weather, multilingual information, and cybersecurity. The space-weather forecast pages are also useful for earth-science inquiry.

Enter by theme (space weather / radio / multilingual) → check observations and publications → combine with JMA and NASA Earthdata to describe phenomena from multiple angles
ResearchStatistics
Natural ScienceEarth ScienceOpen Data

RIKEN | Research & Open Data

RIKEN, Japan's comprehensive science research institute, publishes research outcomes, press explanations, and open data. Lets you follow the frontiers of basic science through primary materials and official videos.

Check press releases and related papers in your field (physics / life / AI) → look for any open datasets → cross-reference adjacent research on arXiv / PubMed
ResearchStatistics
Natural ScienceOpen DataOfficial Video

Institute of Statistical Mathematics (ISM)

A core institution of Japanese statistical science. Handles research and published data on the Study of the Japanese National Character, statistical learning, and data science. An official reference for how statistical inquiry is structured.

Check the project list → explore long-term data such as the National Character Study → examine the validity of sampling and inference methods you plan to use
Research
Open Data

NINJAL (National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics)

The core institution of Japanese-language research. Publishes official data on corpora, dialects, and linguistic atlases. A research base for Japanese-language and linguistic inquiry into vocabulary, grammar, and usage.

Pick a theme (dialect / lexicon / grammar) and dataset → check corpus scope and caveats → cross-check with Kotobank and your own field observation
GlossaryResearchStatistics
Open Data

RIETI (Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry)

An independent administrative think tank under METI, publishing policy data, discussion papers, and statistical analyses. A first reference for policy and economic-history research.

Read recent discussion papers by theme → check whether underlying data is public → use alongside Cabinet Office ESRI and BOJ statistics as primary policy evidence
ResearchStatistics
Open Data

Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency (FRA)

Japan's official fisheries research agency, in charge of stock assessment, fishing-ground environment, and marine-biology surveys. Lets you read local fisheries and ecosystems as primary information from both ocean and food angles.

Find stock-assessment reports by sea area / species → confirm survey year and method → overlay with MAFF statistics and JCG ocean information to describe industry–ecosystem links
ResearchStatistics
Natural ScienceOpen Data

bioRxiv / medRxiv (Life-science & medical preprints)

The life-science preprint server bioRxiv (run by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) and the medical preprint server medRxiv (BMJ / Yale / Cold Spring Harbor). The international standard for fastest access to pre-peer-review papers.

Search by field → note explicitly that results are "pre-peer-review" → confirm the final version on PubMed / published journal before citing
ResearchInternational
Open DataEnglish

SSRN (Social-science preprints)

An international working-paper / preprint platform centred on social sciences (economics, law, policy, management). Lets you catch the global frontier of policy-oriented research early.

Pick a sub-network by topic → check the version (draft or post-peer-review) → prefer DOI and published version when citing
ResearchInternational
Open DataEnglish

CORE (Worldwide open-access paper search)

Run by the UK Open University, one of the world's largest open-access paper aggregators. Access to over 30 million full texts — lets you quickly find papers across disciplines with text available.

Search terms → filter to items with full-text PDF → confirm the source repository → trace the published version via DOI
ResearchInternational
Open DataEnglishAPI Available

ORCID (Researcher identifier)

An international registry that assigns a unique ID to each researcher, linking works and outputs to the person unambiguously. Lets you follow a researcher's record across name changes and common names.

Search by author name → confirm whether the ORCID matches the same person → read the works list and affiliation history to understand a paper's context
ResearchInternational
EnglishAPI Available

iNaturalist

Over 230 million biodiversity observation records worldwide. Citizen science platform linked to GBIF.

Confirm the current version → trace the original document or amendment → cross-reference with related primary sources
StatisticsResearchInternational
Open DataAPI AvailableMultilingual

Association of Japanese Geographers

Official academic society for geography in Japan — journals, research, and educational resources.

Identify the research question → read the abstract and keywords → trace references back to primary sources
ResearchMaterials & Guidance

Geological Society of Japan

Official academic society for geology — journals, field guides, and educational content.

Identify the research question → read the abstract and keywords → trace references back to primary sources
ResearchMaterials & Guidance

International comparison

34 resources

UNdata

A starting point for international comparison. Confirm definitions → re-pull Japan's figures from e-Stat.

Confirm indicator definition/unit → fix the countries and period for comparison → re-pull Japan with the same definition
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishMultilingual

World Bank Open Data

A representative source of national development indicators. Beware of missing values and estimates.

Read missing/estimate notes → see the same indicator across multiple years → fact-check causality with primary sources
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishAPI Available

OECD Data

Stronger when you can also explain "why these comparison countries".

Write the rationale for selecting comparison countries → confirm definitions/methods → compare with conditions aligned
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglish

IMF Data

The more you can read assumptions (currency, base year, etc.), the stronger your analysis.

Confirm assumptions (currency / base year / seasonal adjustment) → align indicator meaning before interpretation
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishAPI Available

NASA Earthdata

An entry to handle global-scale data.

Decide variable / resolution / period → confirm uncertainty → verify with ground observation or statistics
InternationalStatistics
Earth ScienceNatural ScienceOpen DataEnglishAPI Available

IEA Data and Statistics

The International Energy Agency (IEA) publishes official country-level data on energy supply and demand, the power mix, and CO2 emissions. A standard reference for comparing policies across developed economies, and strong evidence for climate and energy inquiry.

Pick an indicator (power mix / CO2 / final consumption) → align the compared countries and base year → bring it next to Japan's figures from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy using the same definition
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishEarth Science

FAOSTAT (UN Food and Agriculture Organization)

Official statistics run by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), covering global agricultural production, food security, land use, and forests. Commodity-by-commodity long-run time series let you compare food and farming across the world.

Narrow by commodity and country → check definitions (production / harvest / planted area) → put it next to MAFF (Japan) with the same definitions and units, and explain "where Japan stands"
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishMultilingualAPI Available

WHO Global Health Observatory

Official global data on health, disease, health workers, and infectious disease, published by the World Health Organization (WHO). Clearly mapped to SDG 3, making it the baseline for health- and medical-policy inquiry.

Pick an indicator (life expectancy / disease incidence / health-worker ratio) → compare across regions and income groups → match it against Japan's MHLW statistics and infectious-disease surveillance
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishMultilingual

ILOSTAT (International Labour Organization)

Official global statistics from the UN specialized agency ILO — labour, employment, wages, and gender. Lets you compare working conditions across developing and developed countries on a single platform.

Pick an indicator (unemployment / wages / hours / female-participation rate) → narrow down the compared countries → match definitions against MIC and MHLW Japanese statistics for comparison
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglish

UN Comtrade (Trade Statistics Database)

Official trade statistics compiled by the UN Statistics Division from member-state governments, covering trade volumes and values by country, commodity, and partner. Lets you verify bilateral relationships and global-economic structure as numbers.

Pick commodity (HS code) and target country → read export/import quantities and values → cross-reference with Japan's customs statistics (MOF) and the partner country's own statistics
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishAPI Available

UNDP Human Development Reports

The annual Human Development Index (HDI) database published by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), with related indicators. Lets you compare "well-being" internationally beyond income alone.

Rank countries by HDI → read the sub-components (income / longevity / education) → when you see a gap you care about, explain it using OECD or WHO data
InternationalStatisticsOverview
Open DataEnglish

IPCC Reports (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

The consolidated scientific assessment reports on climate change by the IPCC, published together with the governments-approved "Summary for Policymakers". The most trusted international evidence for climate-change inquiry.

Start from the "Summary for Policymakers" of the latest Assessment Report (AR) → descend into the figures in supporting chapters → link them to Japan's own observations from JMA and NIES
InternationalResearchLaw & Policy
Earth ScienceOpen DataEnglish

FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis — Economic Data)

The official database run by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, visualizing more than 800,000 economic time series. Lets you compare U.S. and world economic indicators across decades on one interface.

Search by indicator name (GDP / unemployment / CPI / interest rate) → fix the period → align with Japan (Bank of Japan / e-Stat) using the same definition for comparison
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishAPI Available

UNCTADstat (UN Conference on Trade and Development)

Official international statistics on trade, investment, and maritime shipping published by UNCTAD, covering developing countries as well. Enables international comparison that includes the Global South, not just advanced economies.

Pick an indicator (trade / maritime / investment) with country and year → align definitions with UN Comtrade → cross-check with Japan's trade statistics (MOF / JETRO)
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglish

IAEA PRIS (Power Reactor Information System)

The IAEA's official database of nuclear reactor operation, shutdown, and construction worldwide. Essential for international comparison of energy policy and nuclear safety.

Narrow by country / reactor type / operational status → take yearly operating records → put them next to IEA and ANRE data for international comparison of the power mix
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglish

UNHCR Refugee Data Finder

The UN Refugee Agency's central database of official statistics on refugees, IDPs, and stateless persons worldwide. An international baseline for handling refugee issues with numbers rather than emotion.

Pull indicators by country of origin / host / year → confirm causes (conflict / persecution / climate) with treaty-body documents → contrast with Japan's admission situation (ISA / MOJ)
InternationalStatisticsLaw & Policy
Open DataEnglish

Eurostat (EU Statistical Office)

The EU's official statistics office, publishing standard statistics with definitions aligned across member states. The standard entry point for intra-EU comparisons and for comparisons with the EU, covering economy, population, and environment.

Pick an indicator and member states → confirm the EU-standard definition → pair with e-Stat (Japan) using aligned definitions
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishMultilingualAPI Available

BIS Statistics (Bank for International Settlements)

Official statistics on international finance, FX, and credit published by the BIS, often called "the bank of central banks". Useful for visualising cross-border capital flows and financial imbalances.

Pick a theme (cross-border credit / FX / credit gap) → fix sample countries and period → cross-check with BOJ statistics, FRED, and IMF Data
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglish

ADB Open Data (Asian Development Bank)

Open data published by the ADB on economy, development, poverty, and climate in Asia-Pacific. A usable international-organisation dataset for comparisons across East / Southeast / South Asia.

Pick region / country / indicator → align definitions with World Bank data and national statistics → overlay with Japan's ODA and trade data to read relationships with neighbours
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglish

AfDB Data Portal (African Development Bank)

The AfDB's official data portal on Africa's economy, population, infrastructure, and climate. A starting point for international comparison of African countries.

Pick country / indicator → align definitions with World Bank / UNCTAD / UNDP → overlay with Japan's Africa-related ODA data to read the relationship
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglish

ECLAC / CEPALSTAT (Latin America and the Caribbean)

The official economic and social statistics database for Latin America and the Caribbean, published by ECLAC. Gives comprehensive coverage of data that is often missing when comparing Japan with LAC.

Pick country and indicator → check consistency with IMF / World Bank data → contrast with Japan's Latin-America-related statistics (JETRO)
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishMultilingual

U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. federal statistical agency in charge of population and economic censuses. Publishes the decennial census, the American Community Survey (ACS), and business statistics. A reference point for comparison with Japan's population and economic censuses (MIC).

Pull values at state / county level for your indicator → align definitions with Japan's census → be conscious of federal / state / county scale differences when comparing
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishAPI Available

UK ONS (Office for National Statistics)

The UK's official statistics office, publishing the census, labour, prices, and GDP in one place. A model of European-standard statistics, usable as a comparison point for Japan.

Search by indicator → read methodology → pair with e-Stat (Japan) and Eurostat for comparison using aligned definitions
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglish

Destatis (Federal Statistical Office of Germany)

The English / German portal of Germany's federal statistical office. Publishes official census, economic, population, and environmental data. Under the EU statistical system, consistent with Eurostat.

Pick indicators in the English edition → view state-level data under federalism → cross-check with Eurostat's same indicators and pair with Japan
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishMultilingual

INSEE (French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies)

INSEE's English / French portal. Publishes the census, labour, prices, and regional statistics. In addition to EU standards, handles social indicators specific to the French community.

Pick indicators in the English edition → be conscious of region / département divisions → use Eurostat in parallel for international comparison
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishMultilingual

ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics)

Italy's national statistical institute. Publishes official data on population, economy, and society. As a Southern European model case, it helps confirm diversity within Europe.

Pick an indicator → check regional (regione) differences → put alongside Eurostat and Japanese statistics to discuss the Southern European model
InternationalStatistics
EnglishMultilingual

Statistics Canada

Canada's official statistical agency (English / French bilingual). Publishes statistics on population, economy, labour, and Indigenous matters. A federal and multicultural country's data — suggestive when compared to Japan.

Pull indicators by province → pay particular attention to Indigenous-statistics definitions → use alongside Japanese counterparts
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishMultilingual

ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics)

Australia's official statistical agency. Publishes statistics on population, economy, society, and environment. As a Southern Hemisphere developed-country dataset, it helps read common ground and differences with Japan via geography and climate.

Pull indicators by state / territory → read the methodology → pair with Japan with geographical-condition differences in mind
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglish

KOSTAT (Statistics Korea)

Korea's official statistical agency. With a well-maintained English portal, it is an easy neighbour to pair with Japan for population, economy, labour, and family comparisons.

Pick an indicator → confirm definition in the English version → pair with e-Stat (Japan) and DGBAS (Taiwan) for East-Asian international comparison
InternationalStatistics
Open DataEnglishMultilingual

DGBAS (Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Taiwan)

Taiwan's official statistical agency. Publishes data on national income, labour, prices, and households. Usable for East-Asian comparison with Japan and Korea as official statistics.

Pick an indicator → confirm publication language (Chinese / English) → pair with KOSTAT (Korea) and e-Stat (Japan) to construct an East-Asian view
InternationalStatistics
Multilingual

National Bureau of Statistics of China

China's official statistical agency. The English edition publishes major macro indicators. A starting point for referencing the dynamics of a very large economy in primary form.

Pull macro indicators from the English edition → check consistency with IMF / World Bank data → be mindful of political and institutional differences in statistical practice
InternationalStatistics
EnglishMultilingual

MIC Statistics Bureau | Foreign-government statistical agencies (link directory)

A directory maintained officially by Japan's Statistics Bureau (MIC) linking to statistical agencies in countries around the world. Works as a comprehensive hub for navigating national statistical offices in international-comparison inquiry.

Pick the target country → open its statistical agency's English / local-language page → confirm definition alignment with e-Stat before comparing
OverviewInternational
Multilingual

GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)

An international public platform integrating over 2.3 billion species-distribution and specimen records provided by museums and research institutions worldwide. Used alongside the Japan node (JBIF), it lets you verify species distributions on a global scale.

Search by scientific name → view the global distribution map → cross-check with JBIF to read Japan's position and differences with surrounding regions
InternationalStatisticsResearch
Natural ScienceOpen DataEnglishAPI Available

IUCN Red List

The official Red List of threatened species worldwide, run by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Centralises assessment categories, distributions, and threat factors per species — the international standard for conservation inquiry.

Search by scientific name or region → record the assessment category and threat factors → cross-reference with the Japanese MOE Red List to compare global and domestic positioning
InternationalStatisticsResearch
Natural ScienceEnglish

Teachers' commons

14 resources

Rekijin Net

A friendly Japanese-history encyclopedia readable from elementary up. Clear explanations of figures, eras, and events. A vocabulary foothold new teachers can use right away as the opening reading or prompt material for a lesson.

Search by the unit's name / era / place → pick one passage to use in the lesson opening → bridge to related maps and primary sources with a question
Teacher
Lesson PlansOverview
Kids' Entry

NITS | In-school Training Video Series

A series of short training videos produced by the National Institute for School Teachers and Staff Development (NITS) for use in in-school training. Specialists explain class management, lesson design, and student guidance. New teachers can use them for self-study; experienced teachers use them as material for school-based professional development.

Pick one video by a concern you have → after watching, write down one action you can try in your own class → share it with a colleague and iterate with short reflections
Teacher
Lesson PlansMaterials & GuidanceVideoOverview
Official Video

MEXT | Special Needs Education

The Special Needs Education portal of the Ministry of Education. The official primary source that gathers the system, policy, handbooks, and practice cases. A set of resources that lets new teachers cover everything from classroom accommodations to individual instruction plans in one place — directly tied to daily practice.

Start from the overall framework → open the handbook for the relevant grade and type of disability → apply the individual education support plan / instruction plan template to your own case
Teacher
Lesson PlansLaw & PolicyOverview
Open Data

MEXT | Courses of Study (with commentaries)

Primary information containing the Courses of Study for elementary, middle, and high schools together with the official "commentaries". The essential resource for experienced teachers who want to re-read the big directions of instruction.

Open the "commentary" for the target grade and subject → extract the goals and contents → align them with your school's yearly plan and put gaps into words
Teacher
Materials & GuidanceLaw & PolicyPrimary SourceOverview
Open Data

NIER | Curriculum Research Center

The national educational research institute aggregating research outcomes and practical materials on curriculum, instruction, and assessment. New teachers learn from the practice case collections; experienced teachers use evaluation criteria and reports to situate their own teaching academically.

Search practice cases by subject × unit → extract integration of teaching and assessment → reflect in your own lesson design
Teacher
Lesson PlansMaterials & GuidanceResearchOverview
Open Data

Geography Education Toolbox (GSI)

An education-oriented hub that organizes "how to use the GSI Map in lessons and inquiry". Lesson plans, practical examples, and downloadable materials are gathered together — a direct fit for experienced teachers reworking their instruction in Geography (General) and inquiry learning.

Decide one unit → try the procedure as written → keep screenshots and explanations as "evidence", and replace with your school's local material
Teacher
Materials & GuidanceOverviewMap
GISOpen Data

MEXT | Textbook System (Authorization & Adoption)

The Ministry of Education's official explanation of how textbooks are produced and selected in Japan. Read authorization criteria, the adoption system, and research surveys as primary sources. A resource for experienced teachers to re-situate "the textbook I use now" from the standpoint of the system.

Pick one authorization criterion and read it → check which ones your own textbook satisfies → compare with the structure of another publisher's textbook to widen your range of instruction
Teacher
Materials & GuidanceLaw & PolicyOverview
Open Data

StuDX Style (MEXT | GIGA School Practice Collection)

The Ministry of Education's portal gathering classroom practice with 1:1 devices. Ideas are organized by subject and scene so new teachers can picture the first step of ICT use concretely.

Filter by subject and grade → pick one practice and apply it to tomorrow's lesson → jot a short note on how it went
Teacher
Lesson PlansOverview
Official Video

NIER | National Assessment of Academic Ability

Official questions, commentary, and analysis reports from Japan's national academic assessment. Experienced teachers can benchmark where students stumble against nationwide data and refine their own instruction.

Open the commentary for the relevant subject/grade → extract misconception patterns → mirror the item type on your own quiz and adjust instruction
Teacher
Materials & GuidanceResearchStatistics
Open Data

NIER | Education Research Information Database

A cross-searchable metadata database of educational research maintained by NIER — practice research, teaching materials, and survey reports. Useful for experienced teachers who want to rebuild instruction on top of prior knowledge.

Search by inquiry theme → narrow by year/institution → reach the primary source and secure one citable piece of evidence
Teacher
Materials & GuidanceResearchOverview
Open Data

Yamakawa & Ninomiya ICT Library (ywl.jp)

A textbook-aligned ICT teaching-materials library jointly operated by Yamakawa Shuppansha (Japanese history / world history) and Ninomiya Shoten (geography). Videos, slides, worksheets, and statistical materials are organised by subject and unit — a go-to teaching hub for social-studies teachers who need to quickly supply "the one extra resource" a daily lesson is missing.

Pick textbook publisher (Yamakawa / Ninomiya) and unit → grab the presentation materials and worksheets as a pair → swap in your own school's local material at one point for your grade level
Teacher
Materials & GuidanceLesson PlansOverview
Official Video

Teikoku-Shoin | Periodicals for Social-Studies Teachers

A group of free teacher-facing educational journals from Teikoku-Shoin delivering lesson-research examples, latest scholarship, and practice reports across geography, history, and civics. The family includes the education magazine "Kizahashi", the elementary-school "Children and Maps", the junior-high "Shakaika no Shiori", and the high-school "ChiReKo" — particularly strong support for geography teachers' materials research.

Read the journal for your school level first → imitate just one teaching sequence from a lesson-research example → note where each new scholarly topic fits in your annual plan and reuse it later
Teacher
Materials & GuidanceLesson PlansResearchOverview

Library of Congress | Teachers

The Library of Congress's teacher-facing page on using primary sources. Publishes primary materials for history, social studies, and literature together with questioning examples and lesson procedures. Useful both as source material for new teachers and as a reference model for experienced teachers designing inquiry-based lessons.

Pick a "Teaching with Primary Sources" case by grade and theme → mimic how questions pair with sources → redesign for your own unit and rebuild with Japanese primary sources (NDL / JACAR)
Teacher
Lesson PlansMaterials & GuidancePrimary SourceInternationalOverview
EnglishCultural Heritage

Meiji University — Geography Fieldwork Programs

Fieldwork programs and resources from Meiji University's geography specialization.

Open pages that interest you → note 3 words you understood → discuss and decide the next term to research
Materials & Guidance