The following information was true as of February 1, 2013. Please be aware that the site described and the links provided below may have been updated or edited since then.
Kobe University. Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration. Integrated Center for Corporate Archives
- English top page
http://www.rieb.kobe-u.ac.jp/center/index-e.html - Japanese top page
http://www.rieb.kobe-u.ac.jp/center/index-j.html
The Integrated Center for Corporate Archives (ICCA) of the Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration (RIEB) at Kobe University was launched on April 1, 2010, as a reorganization of the previous RIEB Liaison Center. The aim of the new ICCA is twofold, to provide documents as well as both qualitative and quantitative data on corporations for public use and to support scientific research on economic issues and business administration.
- ICCA Databases top page
http://www.rieb.kobe-u.ac.jp/center/english/kuemdb/index-e.html
To that end, the ICCA has created a number of online resources including the Catalog of Company Histories, Database on Japanese Companies, and Multinational Corporation Database. Although most of the information in the online resources is in Japanese, there are English language webpages with information on the ICCA, its collections and publications, and each of the databases.
- Overview of the Multinational Corporation Database
http://www.rieb.kobe-u.ac.jp/center/english/cdal/takokuseki/takokuseki-db-e.html
The databases require an ID and password to access, but researchers and others who wish to use one of the databases can apply to do so by downloading a PDF (Japanese only), filling it out, and mailing it to the ICCA. Thus even those who cannot visit the ICCA in person can apply for and use the databases.
Unfortunately there are some minor issues with the site and its English, but in general these do not present an obstacle to understanding or accessing the information available. By thus providing an English language access point to the abundance of useful information available on their website, the ICCA is fostering research on Japan and Japanese businesses around the world.
Link(s)
- New Categories "Shashi-related Website Reviews" and "Nishiki-e-related Website Reviews"
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/tobira/20130205