The creation of Japan/MARC--a system employing Kanji script (Chinese characters as adopted by the Japanese)--as the online database for Japanese bibliographic records marks a significant development in the availability of the Japanese national bibliography and should give stimulus to other countries using Chinese as a predominant language. JAPAN/MARC records allow entries transcribed in Kana and/or the roman alphabet of author, title, subject heading, and other access points. In addition to the core database, the National Diet Library is establishing data files by subjects, authors, series, and publishers, and expects to include retrospective records back to 1969, eventually including serials and journal articles. The text provides detailed information on formats, records, and procedural rules and appendices include the character set, tag relationships between UNIMARC and JAPAN/MARC, bibliographical data elements, and a flowchart of the Japanese National Bibliographic Information System. (RAA)