Japanese National Centre for ISSN

• Overview of International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
  • What is an ISSN?
  • Advantages of ISSN
  • ISSN and Key Titles
  • Outline of ISSN-L
  • The ISSN Network and the Japanese National Centre for ISSN
  • ISSN and Deposits of Online Publications
• Requirements and Procedure for ISSN Registration
  • Outline of the Requirements for ISSN Application
  • ISSN Registration Procedures
  • Displaying an ISSN
• ISSN and Bibliographic Data
  • Provision of the Bibliographic Data for Publications in Tangible Formats (formats such as print, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.) Published in Japan with ISSN
  • Provision of the Bibliographic Data of Online Resources Published in Japan with ISSN
  • Outline of the ISSN Portal
  • Outline of ROAD
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us

• To the Japanese version (日本語版ウェブページへ)

The ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is an international code number to identify "serials* and other continuing resources**". A particular ISSN corresponds to a particular media version of a serial or other continuing resource. The ISSN is defined by the international standard (ISO 3297) and its corresponding national standard (JIS X 0306).

The ISSN is a simple eight-digit identification number consisting of a seven-digit number plus a check digit. The eighth (last) digit number serves to prevent typographical errors and in some cases is replaced by the capital letter "X".

Unlike the ISBN (International Standard Book Number), the ISSN is a simple identification number without any meaning attached.

The National Diet Library (NDL), which acquires national serial publications exhaustively as the only national and deposit library in Japan, plays a role as the Japanese National Centre for ISSN.

* A serial is defined as a publication, in any medium, that meets all the following criteria:

• -Issued in a succession of discrete issues or parts (i.e., published continuously under a unique title and separately in volumes, etc.)
• -Bearing numbering (e.g., a volume, number, issue, month, year, etc.)
• -With no predetermined conclusion

Example： Periodicals, newspapers, monographic series, etc.

** A continuing resource is defined as a publication, in any medium, that is issued over time with no predetermined conclusion and made available to the public. Continuing resources include serials and ongoing integrating resources***.

*** An integrating resource is defined as a publication, either finite or with no predetermined conclusion, that is added to or changed by updates that do not remain discrete and are integrated into the whole and made available to the public in any medium version.

Example: Loose-leaf publications, databases, etc.

From the viewpoint of bibliographic records, serials and other continuing resources need continuous correction: i.e., they often undergo changes in their titles, publishers, frequency of publication, etc.

To gain accurate information on serials and other continuing resources in spite of their nature and vast number is an important but challenging task for users, libraries, publishers, publication distributors, and vendors alike. In response, publishers and libraries draw upon computers to manage information on serials and other continuing resources and facilitate the distribution and use of them.

Consequently, it has become necessary to identify serials by their code numbers, and the ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is a widely recognized numbering system for serials and other continuing resources. The foremost advantage of ISSN is that any serials and other continuing resources with an ISSN can be easily identified irrespective of its publishing country, publisher, language, or genre.

Online catalogs or databases of libraries and some platforms of online journals are equipped with a search field for ISSN and it helps users to find and obtain a specific serial or other continuing resource. Citations in an article can also include ISSN so that readers can easily find each cited work.

The ISSN is used to increase the efficiency of receiving, photocopying, lending, and indexing serials at libraries and placing orders, receiving and other business operations of publishers and book stores with a faster speed and greater accuracy. Furthermore, since ISSN are registered in an international database maintained by the ISSN International Centre, Japanese serials and other continuing resources will have greater opportunities for overseas circulation.

The assignment of an ISSN to a continuing resource does not imply any meaning or legal evidence with regard to the ownership of rights to that publication or its contents.

A key title is a unique title created for registration of an ISSN. It establishes an inseparable one-to-one correspondence between each serial or other continuing resource and its ISSN.

Like an ISSN which is a unique number, a key title is also unique: i.e., one key title cannot be shared by more than one publication.

Once assigned to a publication, an ISSN will never be reused in another publication even if the first publication becomes defunct.

If the key title must be changed, the ISSN of the publication is also changed irrespective of the reasons for change such as the merger or split of serials and other continuing resources.

Key titles are established by the ISSN Network in accordance with its cataloging rules.

Applicants are informed of the ISSN and the key title by the formal notice of ISSN (only in Japanese) sent by the Japanese Centre.

* The key title is the Romanized form of the title proper (=main title) of a serial or other continuing resource. In the case of a title proper in a Western language (Latin characters), in principle, the key title is identical with the title proper. If there are more than one publication which share the same title proper, the one which is registered later will have qualifying information.

Example:　 "国際子ども図書館の窓"

The key title of print edition: Kokusai Kodomo Toshokan no mado

The key title of online edition: Kokusai Kodomo Toshokan no mado (Online)

If a publication has its key title in a Western language, the abbreviated key title is also recorded. Abbreviations are made according to the List of Title Word Abbreviations maintained by the ISSN International Centre.

ISSN-L is an abbreviation for Linking ISSN. If a publication is published in more than one media format, they share the same ISSN-L though the ISSN assigned for each format differ from each other. An ISSN-L is the same as one of the ISSN for the publications which share the same ISSN-L.

Example:　"National Diet Library newsletter"

Print edition:　 ISSN 0027-9161   ISSN-L 0027-9161

Online edition: ISSN 1344-7238   ISSN-L 0027-9161

The ISSN Network* is an international organization promoting the exchange of information on serials and other continuing resources among ISSN National Centres with the ISSN International Centre (Paris, France) serving as the data bank.

The ISSN Network consists of the ISSN International Centre and ISSN National or Regional Centres located in various countries. The bibliographic data for publications with ISSN, which is assigned by each ISSN Centre, is finally registered to the database called the ISSN International Register. This database is maintained by the ISSN International Centre and contains all the authorized records. Bibliographic data for serials that have been registered ISSN are made available to the public via the ISSN Portal.

* The ISSN Network was created as part of the UNISIST (World Science Information System) which was established in 1967 through the resolution of the UNESCO general conference. In 1971 the ISO formulated a draft ISSN standard, followed in 1972 by the establishment of an international serials registration centre in Paris by the concerted effort of UNESCO and the French government.
UNESCO member nations were invited to create their own domestic or regional registration centres in order to expand the serials registration data to the world size. As of September 2023, the ISSN Network embraced 93 National Centres.

Here is the link to the ISSN Manual used commonly in the ISSN Network:

• To the page of ISSN Manual (opens in another window)

For the details of the ISSN International Centre and the ISSN Network, please refer to the web page of the ISSN International Centre (in English and five other languages).

• To the page of the ISSN International Centre (opens in another window)

The NDL took over becoming a Japanese National Centre for ISDS ("ISDS" is the former name of the ISSN Network, International Serials Data System) in 1973, and has actively served as the Japanese National Centre for ISDS since January 1976. The name changed to Japanese National Centre for ISSN in 2002. As of the end of 2022, the Japanese National Centre for ISSN manages about 48,000 bibliographic records for serials with ISSN. They are included in the over 2.2 million records registered in the ISSN International Register.

The Japanese Centre is in charge of the assignment and management of the ISSN for publications published in Japan. As its daily work, the Japanese Centre also corrects the data of the registered ISSN, for example, corresponding with changes to serials and other continuing resources (i.e., change of publisher or editor, suspension or end of publication). In addition, when a publication with a changed key title is found, the Centre also advises the publisher to acquire an ISSN. If a publisher fails to display their assigned ISSN, the NDL prompts them to do so.

The Japanese National Centre for ISSN cannot achieve its full mission of promoting the ISSN Network without the cooperation of publishers. It is essential that publishers actually display the assigned ISSN on their serials and other continuing resources and that, whenever planning to start a new publication or to change the title, the publishers notify the Japanese National Centre in advance. For this purpose, the NDL and publishers need to maintain close communication, and the NDL seeks all-out cooperation from government agencies, universities, academic societies, and other libraries.

After July 2013, similar to the legal deposit system but for print or packaged electronic publications, the National Diet Library collects and preserves online publications published by the private sector such as e-books and e-magazines. Online resources with ISSN fall into the category of e-periodicals "granted specific codes (ISBN, ISSN, DOI)," which are subject to the legal deposit system.

For the details of deposits of online publications, please refer to the FAQ.

The Japanese National Centre assigns an ISSN only when there is a request from a publisher or an agent of the publisher who made some contribution for editing, production, printing, etc.

The Japanese National Centre is in charge of and accepts ISSN applications only for publications published in Japan.

The Japanese National Centre for ISSN is currently registering serial publications* and ongoing integrating resources** which are published in Japan:

* Serial publications include periodicals, newspapers and monographic series, etc.

** Ongoing integrating resources such as loose-leaf publications or databases can also be assigned ISSN.

Continuing resources eligible for registration can be published in any of the following media:

• -Printed publications
• -Packaged electronic publications (CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, magnetic discs, etc.)
• -Publications in other physical media (microfilms, braille materials, etc.)
• -Network electronic publications (online journals, databases, etc.)

• Publications in physical media (printed publications, packaged electronic publications, microfilms, etc.):
  Must meet the criteria for the legal deposit system in Japan and actually be held or will be held by the NDL.
  For details, please refer to "Request for Deposits" (in Japanese).
• Online journals which satisfy the following three conditions:
  
  1. be published in separate volumes
  2. show a place of publication in Japan
  3. display the ISSN and title of the online journal on its homepage or the page listing all the volumes of the journal
  In some cases, back issues must also be available online. Please contact the Japanese National Centre for ISSN for details.
• Databases which satisfy the following three conditions:
  1. currently published on a continuous basis
  2. indicate the frequency
  3. indicate the latest date of updating

ISSN are assinged only at the request of an applicant.

The Japanese National Centre for ISSN considers only the publisher or an agent of the publisher who has participated in the editing, production, and printing or otherwise contributed to the creation of a publication as qualified applicants.

When applying for an ISSN for an existing publication that has not yet been submitted to the NDL under the Legal Deposit system, the applicant is required to send all existing past issues with the application or separately.

After reading the description "Outline of the Requirements for ISSN Application", fill in the ISSN application form (web) to apply for an ISSN if your publication is appropriate for an ISSN:

• ISSN Application Form (web)

You can also send us the ISSN application form by e-mail, by fax or by postal mail:

• ISSN Application Form (RTF: 165KB)
• ISSN Application Form (PDF: 151KB)
• Instructions (PDF: 114KB)

In general, the applicants are informed of the ISSN by advance notice within about one week of receiving the application. In the case of publications already published but not yet possessed by the NDL, please send us the past issues as far back as possible for legal deposit. ISSN will be announced within about one week of receiving both the application and the past issues.

In Japan, ISSN are assigned and maintained free of charge.

The NDL welcomes inquiries on application and any other matters about ISSN.

Japanese National Centre for ISSN
Serials and Non-book Materials Division,
Acquisitions and Bibliography Department,
National Diet Library
Fax: +81-3-3581-1330
E-mail: issnjpn

The assigned ISSN should be displayed on the serial or other continuing resource.

For printed publications, packaged electronic publications, microfilm, or other physical media, please display the ISSN on the publication and send it to us as legal deposit.

For online journals, please display the ISSN on the web site and notify us of publication.

An ISSN consists of two groups of four digits separated by a hyphen and is preceded by the prefix ISSN in upper case separated by a space, as shown in the following example.

Example: ISSN 0914-6601

For serials and other continuing resources in more than one media that have separate ISSN for each media, the individual ISSN may be displayed together. Each ISSN must be displayed with qualifying information, as shown in the following example.

Example:
ISSN 1234-5678 (Print)

ISSN 1234-5555 (Online)

For print publications, the ISSN should be displayed in the top right-hand corner of the front cover. If this is difficult due to design considerations or for other reasons, the ISSN may be printed in another prominent position on the front cover, the back cover, the title page, or the colophon.

Example:

For CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and other packaged electronic publications, the ISSN should be displayed on the disc label, the disc case, the title screen, or other prominent position.

Example:

For online journals, the ISSN should be displayed with its corresponding title on the journal's top page or on a page containing a list of published issues.

Example:

Registered ISSN for publications in tangible formats are made available through the data in NDL Search or NDL Online.

ISSN assigned for online resources published in Japan, which have been registered and maintained by the Japanese National Centre for ISSN, are available in the bibliographic records contained in NDL Search and NDL Online.

NDL Online also contains the bibliographic data of online resources with ISSN published in Japan. They can be searched by putting the value "ISSN" into the "Call No." field in "advanced search" and filling in the fields for title, publisher, ISSN, etc. By clicking "Available Online" under "Refine Your Search" to the left of "Search Results," materials other than online resources are excluded from the results. The materials which have the icon of a cloud on the left of the title and contain "< ISSN>" in the list of bibliographic information are online resources with ISSN published in Japan. Though the URLs do not appear in "Search Results," these can be displayed by clicking each title in "Search Results". Bibliographic records contain a URL (or URLs) preceded by the word "Source".

To download retrieved data, display "Search Results," select "20 results per page," "50 results per page," or "100 results per page"* as a Sort option, and click "Apply" button.

* The maximum data that can be downloaded is 100. Search results should be refined or sorted in advance so that they can be less than 100.

To download all records displayed on the page, click the "Select All" checkbox and use the pull-down menu to select either "Download Bibliographic Record (tsv) " or "Download Bibliographic Record (BibTeX)" and click the "Submit" button. To download one or more records selected from the results, click the checkbox to the left of selected records, instead of clicking the "Select All" checkbox.

A list of online journals, etc. published in Japan with ISSN is also provided in CSV format.

• List of online journals, etc. published in Japan with ISSN (as of September 12, 2023. 5,920 records) (CSV: 1.61MB) (in Japanese)

Bibliographic records of online journals, etc. published in Japan are included in the list when they apply for an ISSN and the records are sent to the ISSN International Centre. Updated twice a year.

There are no restrictions on the use of the list of online journals, etc. published in Japan with ISSN. The NDL assumes no responsibility or liability for any actions taken as a result of using the list of online journals, etc. published in Japan with ISSN.

WARP (Web Archiving Project) and National Diet Library Digital Collections (Online publications) provide online journals collected by the National Diet Library based on the National Diet Library Law or permission from the publishers. The collection can be searched by ISSN, etc.

The ISSN International Centre holds all the bibliographic data of ISSN in the world in the ISSN International Register (the official registration database for ISSN) and provides them on the web via the ISSN Portal (https://portal.issn.org/) (opens in another window). As of the end of 2022, 2,287,852 ISSN are contained in the ISSN Portal.

After January 2018, essential fields of all the records for ISSN registered as standard numbers can be searched and utilized free of charge.

• Homepage of ISSN Portal (opens in another window)

Bibliographic data with ISSN is Romanized before registration in the ISSN International Centre.

As of January 2021, we have started to register data containing kanji and kana, but please understand that when searching from the ISSN Portal using keywords with kanji or kana will display only search results that contain kanji or kana.

ROAD (Directory of Open Access scholarly Resources) (https://road.issn.org/) (opens in another window) is a service provided by the ISSN International Centre with support from UNESCO. In July 2018, ROAD was integrated into the ISSN Portal.

ROAD provides free access to a subset of ISSN bibliographic records for scholarly resources in open access (online journals, conference proceedings, academic repositories, etc.) which have been registered in the ISSN Portal.

• Homepage of ROAD (Directory of Open Access scholarly Resources. Opens in another window)

The main purposes of ROAD are as follows:

• To provide a single access point to different types of online scholarly resources published worldwide and freely available.
• To provide information about the quality and prominence of OA resources, indicating by which services they are covered.
• To give an overview of the Open Access scholarly production worldwide (for statistics purposes for instance).
• To demonstrate new ways of using the ISSN for compiling information from various sources.

In March 2015, the Japanese National Centre for ISSN started to send bibliographic data to ROAD. Online journals published in Japan with ISSN which meet all the following requirements are registered:

• FREE content permitting any users to read, download, copy, print or link it
• The entirety of their resources are accessible
• Peer-reviewed academic journal

Japanese National Centre for ISSN
Serials and Non-book Materials Division, Acquisitions and Bibliography
Department, National Diet Library
Fax: +81-3-3581-1330
E-mail: issnjpn