Report on Japan Search Activities in FY2022
This article provides an overview of Japan Search's activities in fiscal 2022 (from April 2022 to March 2023).
Table of Contents
1. Japan Search Strategy 2021-2025
We designed "Japan Search Action Plan 2021-2025" to realize the goals set in the strategy, "Japan Search Strategy 2021-2025", which covers five-year period from 2021 to 2025.
2. Function
What's New in Image Search
The Image search function was improved in March 2023.
New multilingual "Text-to-image search" functionality has been released!
It enables you to explore images by entering any words or phrase in search box！
The new function is available in multiple languages such as French, German, Italian, Chinese, Korean, Thai in addition to Japanese and English.
Example of a search using the keyword "impressionist paintings depicting the countryside"
Image search performance improvement
In March 2023, we implemented performance improvements to our image search function, which searches for similar images from an image.
This improvement not only increased the search accuracy for identical content, but also resulted in higher matching search results for similar motifs, such as "picture of a bird perched on a branch" or "picture of an anthropomorphic cat." In addition, search response has been improved.
The performance improvement of the image search function is a further update of the previous performance improvement implemented in January 2022, reflecting the latest AI technology. Further functional improvements are planned at non-scheduled intervals in the future based on the progress of related technologies.
Release of search function by text in page
In August 2022, we implemented a function that allows users to highlight any text on a page on the search results and item details screens to re-search that text as a keyword.
Gallery/My Gallery Editing Functionality Enhancements
In August 2022, " tab parts" were added to switch between list views, and the mapping function was added to allow users to add coordinate information to the metadata and plot it on a map.
(1) Tab Parts Usage Example
With tab parts, you can create compact electronic exhibitions using the switching function.
(2) Adding coordinate information is available
Even if coordinate information is not included in the metadata, you can manually add coordinate information and plot it on the map!
IIIF function available
In February 2023, a basic IIIF API function was launched. In March 2023, images distributed via IIIF Presentation API 3.0 can also be viewed on Japan Search.
3. Cooperation
In fiscal 2021, we established new partnerships with 8 aggregators and 53 databases which were newly connected to Japan Search.
New database in fiscal 2021
As of the end of March 2023, Japan Search collaborates with 38 aggregators and approximately 28 million metadata from 198 databases are accessible from Japan Search. We will continue to further expand our cooperation in the future.
4. Conversion to JPS RDF schema
Japan Search converts aggregated metadata to Japan Search’s data schema, the JPS RDF schema, and publishes it as linked open data through an API. As of the end of March 2023, approximately 25 million metadata from 175 databases data providers agreed to provide through the API have been converted into the JPS RDF schema.
*You can check it by running a count query by data set on the SPARQL endpoint.
5. Gallery
As of the end of March 2023, a total of 440 galleries are available and we plan to add more galleries in the near future.
Cooperation with Overseas Archiving Organizations
We have created the gallery "Nature" in cooperation with Europeana and DigitalNZ, the major overseas digital archiving platforms.
6. Promote utilization of digitized content
Using Japan Search
FY2022
2022年度群馬県立女子大学文学部総合教養学科 フィールドワーク基礎2022「人文学資料をキュレーションする」の講義で作成されたギャラリーです。ジャパンサーチの「マイギャラリー」機能を活用し、受講生がキュレーターとなったデジタル展示です。
和歌山県田辺市立秋津川小学校では、「ジャパンサーチ」を活用した南方熊楠の学習に取り組みました。
連携機関が自由に作成・公開できるジャパンサーチのオンライン展覧会「ギャラリー」。これからギャラリーの作成を考えている連携機関や、プロジェクトアカウントをお持ちの方を対象に、ワークショップを実施しました。
GIF IT UP 2021
As an integrated portal in Japan, we cooperated in GIF IT UP 2022, a GIF animation creation contest held by Europeana in cooperation with the GIF animation sharing and search service GIPHY, assisting with PR in Japan and providing open licensed materials to make GIFs. There were 8 entries using the content of Japan Search, and one of them won the First-time GIF-makers Category.
The "User Guide" page informs you how to use Japan Search.
7. Events
- デジタルアーカイブフェス2022－ジャパンサーチ・デイ
2022年8月25日、国立国会図書館と内閣府知的財産戦略推進事務局の共催で開催しました。
- ジャパンサーチの連携機関向けギャラリー作成ワークショップ
2022年12月12日、国立国会図書館主催で開催しました。
- ジャパンサーチAPIハッカソン ―ミュージアム、図書館、地域で使えるサービスを作ろう！―
2023年2月11日と2月19日、国立国会図書館主催で開催しました。
- 地域アーカイブ関連イベント「ジャパンサーチで地域のコンテンツをつなぎ、人をつなぐ」
2023年3月24日、国立国会図書館主催で開催しました。
In June 2022, we sponsored an online forum titled "Digital Archive Festival 2022 - Japan Search Day -”.
Other past events are summarized on the "Archive" page.
8. PR
Lectures and Contributions
We hold lectures about Japan Search at events and academic conferences hosted by other organizations.
Past lectures and articles are summarized on the "Archive" page.
SNS
Opening of Instagram
In FY2022, we newly opened the official Japan Search Instagram.
- ジャパンサーチ公式インスタグラム
2022年8月22日、ジャパンサーチ公式インスタグラムを開設し、魅力的な画像とともに日本語と英語で情報発信しています。
Japan Search has been providing information on new databases, content, events and lectures and tips on how to use Japan Search through official Twitter (@ jpsearch _ go) and official Facebook (@jpsearchgo) and the official YouTube channel.
In FY2022, an official Instagram (@japansearch_go) was launched to introduce Japan Search's attractive materials.
Conclusion
Japan Search has been expanding its cooperation and utilization, thanks to our partners, users and supporters. In the future, Japan Search will continue to improve its functions, expand its cooperation with local archives, and promote the use of digital archives.
We deeply appreciate your continued support.