What does JPGS do?
            During the past 25 years the JPGS has published a series of directories and newsletters including the 
JAPAN ENGLISH BOOKS IN PRINT (1st ed 1980), the JAPAN ENGLISH MAGAZINE DIRECTORY 
(5th ed 1981), the SOUTHEAST/EAST ASIAN ENGLISH PUBLICATIONS IN PRINT (1st ed 1987), 
the JAPAN PUBLISHERS DIRECTORY (1986), the JAPAN DIRECTORY OF PROFESSIONAL 
ASSOCIATIONS (3rd ed, 1995), the JAPAN ENGLISH PUBLICATIONS IN PRINT (3rd ed 1998). The
focus is Japan, then the East Asian region, publishing in English or bi-lingual. Publications that have been 
published IN Japan or East Asia receive first priority in listing. Publications from other parts of the world but 
ON Japan or East Asia are also included. As the internet is vastly faster and getting better and better each
year, the JPGS has switched entirely from print to online.

How does JPGS differ from other online and print databases?
            Such resources as Bowker and Book Data are mainly focused on books published in or at least widely 
distributed in the USA and UK. Magazines and most other periodicals are not included. English books that do
not have major distribution in the USA and UK are not included. Most of what is published in English in Japan 
is not listed by Bowker, is not in the databases of Baker & Taylor or Ingram, is not in the catalogs of the Library
of Congress. The JPGS database covers the books of the big publishers such as Kodansha, but JPGS also 
covers both books and periodicals from thousands of small publishers, associations, government agencies and 
others. Increasingly JPGS is adding information on online publishing.

Can't I get all the information I need online?
            Sometimes you can, but we find that free online material is often old and outdated and filled with dead 
links. Or, sometimes great web pages are made but then they vanish when a website is revised. The internet
generally lacks the durability of the printed word and is not handily organized and searchable. You may love 
Google, but its results are based on popularity not quality. Research based on such sources lacks solid validity.

Can JPGS find the information for me?
            What JPGS definitely can do is update name, address, and contact information in our databases. If a 
subscriber tries to contact a publisher or association, but postal mail or email is undeliverable, JPGS will search 
out the current information and reply. No charge to JPGS subscribers. Of course, small publishers sometimes 
vanish and cannot be found. Recent government reorganization has changed many names and contact information. 
Useless associations have had their funding stopped and been disbanded, often without leaving any trace. These 
cannot be found but there may be a new organization that has absorbed the useful parts of the defunct group. 
JPGS is always on the lookout for these new organizations. We constantly scan the internet, newspapers and other 
databases for new publishers and associations.

Can I buy the publications I want from JPGS?
            No. We suggest that you buy through your regular source. Such companies as Japan Publications Trading 
Co., Kinokuniya, and Maruzen can supply most publications from Japan. Our associated company, kk imcbook 
(IMC) can often help with difficult to obtain publications.

Who started JPGS?
            JPGS was started almost accidentally by a young American working in Japan. He did not read Japanese 
and he needed all types of information in order to earn his living. There were no good resources, but there were many
small books, magazines (all of which eventually failed), proceedings, brochures, and other publications that contained 
useable information. He collected those publications. When the International Advertising Association held a conference 
in the old Imperial Hotel, he published a tiny booklet listing Japan's English magazines and sold it for $1. The sales were 
good and the JPGS was born.

Where can I get more information on JPGS products?
            The best way to get information is to go to http://jpgsonline.com. There you will see current products and 
prices. You may order through your usual supplier or through kk imcbook. (imcbook LLC 
for US$ payments). Subscribers will have full online access (username and password required) to the database 
they subscribe to. Databases are updated regularly.

Are there any restrictions?
            Yes. You are given access to the database for the purpose of research only. You may not allow non-
subscribers to use your username and password. You may not download all or a significant portion of a JPGS
database. You may not copy the database or a significant part and publish it as all or part of your own publication. 
If you have a project in mind that might require more extensive use of JPGS materials, tell us. JPGS wants to
cooperate and can probably work something out.

Do you offer a free trial?
            No. However, we do have JPGS eNews, a free subscription email newsletter announcing new titles. 
We also post a considerable amount of information on the JPGS and IMC websites, and this information is free 
and can be seen without any subscription. However, the only way to get easy and fast access to the best that 
JPGS has to offer is to subscribe.

What are your main products?
            We offer the Japan English Publications in Print-ONLINE [over 54,000 titles from/on Japan and 
East Asia; from over 12,000 publishers] and the Japan Directory of Professional Associations-ONLINE 
[over 10,000 Japanese associations, societies, institutes, centers and similar organizations]. Both are frequently 
updated. Subscribers may ask us to help with publisher or association contact information if online data is missing, 
incorrect or even when it seems your contact effort is being ignored. There is no extra charge for this extra service. 
In case of publications, JPGS and IMC are often able to find out-of-print and other hard to locate publications. 
JPGS will tell you how best to make contact. Being in Japan and knowing most sources, JPGS has telephone access 
to hundreds of Japanese libraries and other organizations that would be hard to reach, at best, from overseas.

Contract research.
     JPGS can do contract research. Generally the cost for a small project would be $5,000 or more. We have 
considerable experience in the fields of aerospace, defense, petroleum and general business.

Contacting JPGS
            If you are a publisher or distributor with publications to list, basic listings are FREE. Accelerated Listing
gets your titles listed in the database and online within 10 days at a one-time cost of just $10 per title. A Descriptive 
Listing allows a 100-word description for one-time cost of $20 per title. Accelerated + Descriptive, $30 per title.  
For all types of listings send samples, review copies and other materials to:

Editor

Japan Publications Guide Service

5-5-13 Matsushiro

Tsukubashi, Ibarakiken 305-0035

Japan

Email: jpgs(at)jpgsonline.com  URL: jpgsonline.com

Subscribing to JPGS services    (The below info is OLD and should not be relied upon.)
          Order through your regular supplier if you can. A printable PDF form is here. The IMC website has separate
online order forms for JDPA and for JEPP.