Welcome to the Book Loan Service

We have a collection of about 1,100 books and resources in the areas of Japanese-Language Education and Japanese Language Teaching and Learning, such as:

Hiragana, katakana, and kanji workbooks
Picture books and story books for young learners
Japanese language textbooks including practice tests for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
Illustrations of Japanese cultural activities and seasonal events
Ideas for communicative language activities
Reading and listening materials for intermediate and advanced learners

They are available to members through our postal loans service*. Teachers of Japanese language who teach Japanese at schools or in out-of-school settings, parents and guardians of young learners including those who learn Japanese as a heritage language, and learners who study Japanese Language or Japanese Studies at a UK educational institution are all welcome to our Book Loan Service membership. The membership is free of charge** to UK residents who meet eligibility criteria stated below and users can borrow up to 5 items at a time (3 weeks loan) through the postal loans service***. For more information about our collection, membership, how to borrow and return books, please see relevant sections in this page.

_{* Please note that we provide a closed shelf postal book loan service.

** We only cover the cost of sending books from JF and the cost of returning books to JF must be covered by the user.

*** Since our staff at The Japan Foundation, London office are working at home with limited in-office hours, we are currently unable to offer any face-to-face appointments to borrow and return books. Instead, we are sending books to both inside and outside of London to ensure equal access to our collection. Thank you for your kind understanding.}

Collections and the list of available books

The main purpose of the book loan service is to promote Japanese language and educational resources which are not widely available in the UK. There are many Japanese language textbooks that are aimed for learners in a wide range of learning stages and age groups. We have textbooks published not only in Japan but also in English speaking countries such as Australia. For many textbooks published in Japan, instructions are written in Japanese, however some of them have instructions in English and Japanese. There are also textbooks and practice tests for preparing for Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). Furthermore, books about teaching methods and curriculum design are available. We are currently adding picture books and story books for young learners. Please see below for the list of available books.

Please click here to see the current book list.

We update the book list from time to time. If you have any enquiries about our collection, please feel free to contact us at LO_library@jpf.go.jp.

Please note The Japan Foundation has no proprietary interest in any of the publications mentioned and inclusion on these lists does not constitute a recommendation, nor do these lists claim to be comprehensive.

Membership and Eligibility Criteria

You can apply for a two year membership if you live in the UK and meet one of the following criteria:

Teaching Japanese language at a UK education institution
Teaching Japanese language at a UK voluntary organization or as a private tutor, or a trainee teacher
Parent or guardian of young learners of Japanese, including heritage language learners
A researcher or instructor in researching Japanese language, Japanese language teaching or Japanese studies, or a librarian at a UK educational institution
Individual studying Japanese language or Japanese studies at a UK educational institution, including those enrolled on elective courses, evening classes etc.

There is a minimum age for joining and you must be 18 or over to join the membership. If you are under the age of 18 years, please ask your parent or guardian to register with us.

To apply for membership, you need to 1) complete the online Membership Application Form, and 2) E-mail us a copy of the following documents to: LO_library@jpf.go.jp.

Required documents:

A) One photo ID
- a) If you belong to an educational institution in the UK (e.g. teachers, students, researchers etc.): a staff ID or student card
- b) If you do not have the documents listed above: Official ID such as a passport or driver's licence.
AND
B) Proof of address (e.g. driver's licence, gas/electricity bill from within the last 6 months etc.)

Renewal of Membership: please complete the online membership application form and email a copy of your proof of address to LO_library@jpf.go.jp

How to collect and return books

Please complete the online Book Request Form and request books no later than Sunday before the week you would like the books to be shipped. Please fill in all required sections of the online request form where you will need to provide: 1) your name, 2) membership number, 3) book numbers and titles of the items you want to borrow.
After the circulation status is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email with the reservation period.
Loan items will be sent by Royal Mail or OCS Worldwide on Wednesdays. The Japan Foundation London will cover postage and packaging charges for sending materials to your address. However, you will be responsible for covering the costs of sending the material back to the Japan Foundation London. Please note that the shipping schedule is subject to change without prior notice.
Please return the books by sending them to the address below.
We will send an email upon receipt of the returned items.

Period of loan: Up to 3 weeks***

Renewal: only once (for 3 weeks from the renewal date); however, items cannot be renewed if someone else has requested the books.

Maximum number of items that can be borrowed: 5 items

_{**** We count the date that your reserved material is shipped as Day1. Your borrowed item must be returned to our office by Day 21. Currently, we send books only on Wednesday afternoon.}

Enquiries: LO_library@jpf.go.jp

Return Address: The Japan Foundation, London, 101-111 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA, (c/o Book Loan Service Administrator)