# International Research Center for Japanese Studies

> inter-university research institute in Kyoto

**Wikidata**: [Q6052724](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6052724)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Research_Center_for_Japanese_Studies)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/international-research-center-for-japanese-studies

## Summary
The International Research Center for Japanese Studies (commonly known as Nichibunken) is an inter-university research institute located in Kyoto, Japan. Established in 1987, it serves as a centralized hub for scholarly research on Japanese culture. Since 2004, it has operated under the parent organization National Institutes for the Humanities.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: Founded in 1987.
- **Location**: Kyoto, Japan; coordinates 34.98805556°N, 135.66694444°E.
- **Classification**: Inter-university research institute (instance of: research institute).
- **Parent Organization**: National Institutes for the Humanities (relationship established in 2004).
- **Official Website**: http://www.nichibun.ac.jp/en/
- **Aliases**: Nichibunken, Kokusai Nihon Bunka Kenkyū Sentā, 国立国際日本文化研究センター, 日文研, 國際日本文化研究中心, 国际日本文化研究中心.
- **Identifiers**:
    - GRID ID: grid.458432.c
    - ROR ID: 04861vz74
    - ISNI: 0000000403766706
    - VIAF ID: 130465135

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main purpose of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies?
A: The center is an inter-university research institute dedicated to the study of Japanese culture. It facilitates research and collaboration across universities, serving as a primary hub for the field.

### Q: Where is the International Research Center for Japanese Studies located?
A: The institute is located in Kyoto, Japan. Its geographic coordinates are 34.98805556 latitude and 135.66694444 longitude.

### Q: When was the center established and who oversees it?
A: It was established in 1987. Since 2004, it has been a constituent organization of the National Institutes for the Humanities.

## Why It Matters
The International Research Center for Japanese Studies plays a critical role in the academic infrastructure of Japan as a specialized inter-university institute. Unlike standard university departments, its inter-university status allows it to serve as a shared resource facilitating collaboration among scholars from different institutions, both domestically and internationally. By centralizing research efforts on Japanese culture, the center promotes a deeper, more integrated understanding of the field. Its establishment in 1987 and subsequent integration into the National Institutes for the Humanities in 2004 further solidify its role as a key body in preserving and interpreting Japanese cultural heritage for a global academic audience.

## Notable For
- **Inter-University Status**: Operating as an inter-university institute, it provides a collaborative infrastructure that transcends the boundaries of single universities.
- **Parentage**: Being a constituent organization of the National Institutes for the Humanities (since 2004), linking it to a broader network of humanistic research.
- **Global Identification**: It is registered in numerous international academic databases and authority files, including VIAF, ISNI, GND, and the Library of Congress.
- **Location**: Situated in Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, providing direct geographic context to its research focus.
- **Multilingual Aliases**: Recognized internationally by various names, including *Nichibunken* (Japanese abbreviation), *Kokusai Nihon Bunka Kenkyū Sentā*, and its Chinese and Korean character equivalents.

## Body
### Overview and Mission
The International Research Center for Japanese Studies is a research institute classified as an inter-university facility. Its primary objective is to conduct and facilitate research into Japanese culture. The institute is commonly referred to by its Japanese abbreviation, "Nichibunken."

### Organizational History
The institute was founded in 1987. A significant structural change occurred in 2004 when it became part of the National Institutes for the Humanities. This placement aligns the center with other key humanities research bodies in Japan.

### Geographic Location
The physical facilities of the center are situated in Kyoto, Japan. The precise coordinates of the location are latitude 34.98805556 and longitude 135.66694444.

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
The center maintains a robust digital footprint for academic citation and public engagement:
- **Website**: The official English portal is located at http://www.nichibun.ac.jp/en/.
- **Social Media**: The center operates a Twitter account with the handle `nichibunkenkoho`, which was created on September 17, 2015.
- **Academic Identifiers**: To facilitate accurate attribution and linking in global databases, the center holds the following IDs:
    - **GRID**: grid.458432.c
    - **ROR**: 04861vz74
    - **ISNI**: 0000000403766706
    - **VIAF**: 130465135
    - **GND**: 5015578-7
    - **Library of Congress**: no90003987

### Nomenclature
The institute is known by several names and aliases in different languages and contexts:
- **Japanese**: 国立国際日本文化研究センター (Kokusai Nihon Bunka Kenkyū Sentā); commonly abbreviated as 日文研 (Nichibunken).
- **Chinese**: 國際日本文化研究中心 / 国际日本文化研究中心.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
3. Japan Search
4. BnF authorities
5. CiNii Research
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [日文研とは > 沿革](https://www.nichibun.ac.jp/pc1/ja/about/history/)
8. GRID Release 2015-12-14
9. GRID Release 2016-12-06
10. GRID Release 2017-01-10
11. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
12. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aipro.php)
13. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
14. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File