Social Welfare Corporation: Japan Braille Library

Social Welfare Corporation: Japan Braille Library

The Japan Braille Library was founded on November 10, 1940 (Showa 15) by Kazuo Honma, who lost his sight as a child due to illness.

What began with just 700 braille books has since grown into Japan’s largest braille library, currently housing approximately 23,000 braille titles and 24,000 audio titles, lending out about 180,000 titles per year to visually impaired people throughout Japan.

The library is operated and supported by dedicated staff and volunteers with the mission of delivering courage, hope, and comfort through the world of books.

Services for the Visually Impaired

■ Lending and Distribution Services

1. Book and Magazine LendingBraille books, audiobooks, and audio magazines are lent free of charge and shipped to visually impaired individuals across the country.

2. Digital DistributionThe library offers a service for accessing braille and audio book data online. By connecting a PC to the internet, users can access books 24/7 via the Sapie Library.

■ Personalized Braille Translation, Audiobook Reading, and Research

1. Specialized Face-to-Face ReadingThis service is for in-person visitors. Staff read specialized materials such as those on medicine, computers, music, language, and law directly to the user.

2. On-Demand Braille Translation and Audiobook Recording (Private Service)For users residing, studying, or working in Tokyo, non-cataloged books of interest can be brailled or recorded free of charge, based on individual requests.

3. Reference ServicesSupport for locating and recommending books and materials. Information on other related facilities and services for the visually impaired is also provided.

"Touch and Feel" Museum

A separate building features tactile exhibitions, allowing visitors to experience exhibits through touch. Special exhibitions are held 2–3 times per year and are reservation-based.

Example: 13th Special Exhibition – “From Edo to Showa: The Ideal Japanese Home”Dates: November 22, 2023 – March 16, 2024Open: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays (10:00, 13:00, 15:00, by reservation only)

Consultation and Training Services

Providing consultation and training for issues arising from vision loss, offering information on welfare services and independent living training to enhance quality of life by leveraging remaining senses. (For children and adults with visual impairments.)

1. Independent Living TrainingProvided under the Comprehensive Support Act for Persons with Disabilities, covering mobility, ICT use, braille, daily life skills, and reading/writing for low vision individuals.

2. IT ClassesClasses for visually impaired individuals who wish to learn how to use computers or smartphones.

Other Services

1. Assistive Device SalesJapan’s largest assistive device shop, offering over 1,000 items including braille tools, white canes, cooking tools, and magnifying reading devices. Online sales available. Eligible for public assistance programs for daily living equipment.

2. Braille Book SalesSales of around 1,000 titles, ranging from classical masterpieces to the latest bestsellers.

3. Okumura Collection – Print Materials on Visual ImpairmentCollects and provides access to printed works on visual impairment, including those authored by visually impaired individuals. Available to the general public with reference services.

Book Production and Server Maintenance

Because braille and audiobooks are not generally available in bookstores, the library produces its own books for lending.

1. Braille Book ProductionVolunteer transcribers create braille books at home using PCs. Transcriptions are proofread, printed using braille printers, and then bound for lending.

2. Audiobook ProductionVolunteer narrators record audiobooks in the library's studios. After proofreading and editing, the recordings are made available for lending. A system has also been developed to allow volunteers to produce audiobooks from home using the internet.

3. Uploading and Maintaining the Book Distribution ServerDigital data of braille and audio books are uploaded to the server for internet distribution to PCs. Equipment and network systems are maintained accordingly.(Supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.)

Braille & Audio Conversion / Universal Design for Information

1. Braille and Audio Versions of PublicationsCommissioned by governments and companies, the library creates braille and audio versions of public relations magazines, product catalogs, and more.Example: Kao Braille Stickers – Braille stickers for products that are hard to distinguish by touch, indicating usage instructions, colors, and dosage.

2. Universal Design for InformationCommissioned by local governments and companies to produce and supervise braille signage and tactile maps for public facilities. They also provide consultation on product planning and testing to ensure usability for the visually impaired.