Government Information and Roles of Libraries and Archives: Recent Policy Issues in Japan

Government information is an important part of the “knowledge infrastructure” of a government’s citizens, in the way such information provides a reliable knowledge base relating both to laws and to everyday life. In addition, government information forms part of the historical and cultural heritage and serves as a means of accountability for current and future generations, provided that this information is archived and that its long-term accessibility is ensured. Recently, central and local governments in Japan have developed a variety of policies concerning government information, including: (1) development of e-government and (2) promotion of archival systems. This article reviews these policies and discusses the challenges faced by libraries and archives in Japan in maintaining government information as part of the nation's knowledge infrastructure.