# Center for Open Data in the Humanities

> Japan Research Institute

**Wikidata**: [Q123039470](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123039470)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/center-for-open-data-in-the-humanities

## Summary
The Center for Open Data in the Humanities (CODH) is a Japanese research institute established to promote open data initiatives in the humanities. Founded on April 1, 2017, it operates under the Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research and focuses on advancing digital humanities through collaborative projects and data accessibility. Based in Tachikawa, Japan, CODH develops tools and datasets to support research in history, literature, and cultural studies.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: April 1, 2017.
- **Parent Organization**: Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research.
- **Headquarters**: Tachikawa, Japan.
- **Chairperson**: Asanobu Kitamoto (since 2017).
- **Focus Areas**: Humanities research, open data, digital scholarship.
- **Key Projects**: Historical document analysis tools, open datasets for cultural heritage.
- **Online Presence**: Website (http://codh.rois.ac.jp/), Twitter (@rois_codh), YouTube (UCD_RQdMon7gz1E2AQUSDtcA).
- **Coordinates**: 35.7122° N, 139.4078° E.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Center for Open Data in the Humanities established?
A: The center was founded on April 1, 2017, as part of Japan’s efforts to integrate data science into humanities research.

### Q: What is the main purpose of CODH?
A: CODH aims to promote open data practices in the humanities by creating accessible datasets, developing analytical tools, and fostering collaboration among researchers.

### Q: Where is CODH located?
A: The institute is headquartered in Tachikawa, Japan, and operates under the Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research.

## Why It Matters
The Center for Open Data in the Humanities plays a critical role in bridging traditional humanities research with modern data science. By digitizing historical materials and developing open-access tools, CODH enables scholars to analyze cultural and historical data at scale, fostering new insights and collaborations. Its work addresses the challenge of preserving and interpreting humanities data in the digital age, supporting education, research, and public engagement with cultural heritage. As a pioneer in Japan’s digital humanities landscape, CODH contributes to global efforts to make humanities research more transparent, reproducible, and interconnected.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering Digital Tools**: Developed AI-powered systems to analyze historical documents, such as handwritten texts and classical literature.
- **Open Datasets**: Created accessible datasets for cultural heritage materials, including maps, manuscripts, and artistic works.
- **Interdisciplinary Collaboration**: Serves as a hub for researchers, engineers, and institutions to integrate data science methods into humanities scholarship.
- **National Leadership**: Recognized as a key player in Japan’s efforts to advance open data practices in the humanities.

## Body
### Organization
- **Establishment**: Founded in 2017 as part of the Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research.
- **Mission**: To promote open data utilization in the humanities through technical innovation and collaboration.
- **Structure**: Operates under the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS) in Japan.

### Leadership
- **Chairperson**: Asanobu Kitamoto, appointed at the institute’s inception in 2017.
- **Affiliations**: Partners with domestic and international research institutions to advance shared goals.

### Digital Initiatives
- **Tools and Platforms**: Developed AI-driven platforms for analyzing historical texts, such as the "Historical Document Image Processing" system.
- **Open Data Resources**: Provides curated datasets for research, including geospatial data linked to cultural heritage sites.
- **Public Engagement**: Hosts workshops, contests (e.g., AI-based transcription challenges), and online resources for scholars and the public.

### Technical Details
- **Coordinates**: 35.71222222222222° N, 139.40777777777777° E.
- **Social Media**: Active on Twitter (@rois_codh, launched 2016), YouTube (channel ID UCD_RQdMon7gz1E2AQUSDtcA, created October 21, 2019), and Facebook (ROIS.CODH).
- **Language Support**: Website and resources available in Japanese and English.

### Recognition
- **Official Names**: Known as 人文学オープンデータ共同利用センター in Japanese and abbreviated as CODH.
- **Academic Contributions**: Publishes research on digital humanities methodologies and open data best practices.

## References

1. [CODHの概要](http://codh.rois.ac.jp/about/)
2. [CODHの概要 | 人文学オープンデータ共同利用センター](http://codh.rois.ac.jp/about/)
3. [Source](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/k10012173121000/k10012173121000.html)
4. YouTube API