JAPANESE LITERATURE PUBLISHING AND PROMOTION CENTER

J-Lit NEWS

The Japanese Literature Publishing and Promotion Center (J-Lit Center) is a non-profit organization (NPO) founded in 2004 for the purpose of introducing Japanese literature overseas.

Though Japanese literature published for readers abroad in their local languages has increased in recent years, it is a far cry from the overwhelming volume of foreign literature available in translation on the Japanese market.

Translated publication of Japanese literature not only introduces Japanese literature, history, lifestyle, customs and thinking, but also conveys moving sentiments to foreign readers and serves as part of an important cultural exchange endeavor. In that sense, for both Japanese and foreign readers, having only a limited opportunity to either offer or encounter marvelous Japanese literature is a loss far greater in impact than literary trade imbalance.

J-Lit Center has been entrusted with the Japanese Literature Publishing Project (JLPP) initiated in 2002 by the Japanese Government Agency for Cultural Affairs. By spring 2009 the Center had published 85 works translated into English, French, German and Russian.

The J-Lit Center plays an active role in promoting overseas publication of Japanese literature through the following activities:

• Building an international network of Japanese and overseas publishers;
• Promoting information exchange amongst translators, Japanese literature scholars and publishing house editors;
• Organizing literary events in Japan and abroad.

We aspire to work towards our aims with your support.