What Happens to Publishing in an Era When Books Can't Be Read? Report on the Rubifull Symposium 2026

The Rubifull Foundation (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yutaka Ito, hereinafter referred to as the Rubifull Foundation), a general incorporated foundation aiming to create a "Rubifull" society where everyone can learn easily and diverse cultures coexist by appropriately increasing furigana (ruby) in society, announces that it held the "Rubifull Symposium 2026" on June 2, 2026, to consider the future of publishing, commemorating Ruby Day.

In the talk sessions on the day, practitioners from diverse fields such as publishing and bookstores presented, and discussed their initiatives and challenges in their respective fields on the theme of "Efforts to deliver books to more people" and "The role of ruby and inclusive design within that."

◆ Event Overview

Event Name: Rubifull Symposium 2026: "What Happens to Publishing in an Era When Books Can't Be Read? Thinking with Inclusive Design"

Date and Time: Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 15:00-18:00

Location: PYNT Takebashi (Palace Side Building 5F)

◆ Talk Session Details

Three talk sessions were held, moderated by Mariko Ooe.

Part 1 Talk Session: "Concepts and Initiatives of Inclusive Design - Inclusive Design in Spaces"

・Speakers:

Mr. Isamu Nishi (Nikken Sekkei Ltd., Digital Strategy Office, Inclusive Design Lab Section, Class 1 Architect)

Ms. Ayumi Imano (Nikken Sekkei Ltd., Design Department, Class 1 Architect)

Ms. Yuki Tatatono (Nikken Sekkei Ltd., Innovation Design Center)

・Moderator:

Fumitaka Nakagawa (Rubifull Foundation Director)

Opinions were exchanged on "design that anyone can use naturally," using the practice of inclusive design in architecture and the promotion of ruby (furigana) as case studies. It was discussed that ruby and inclusive design are not just for specific people but lead to the creation of an environment where everyone can benefit depending on the situation, and that it is important to accumulate small practices while incorporating the voices of those involved to achieve this.

Part 2 Talk Session: "Bookstore Revitalization and Redesigning 'Spaces Where More People Encounter Books'"

・Speakers:

Ms. Iku Watanabe (Yurindo Co., Ltd., President's Office, Digital Creative Team, Manager)

Mr. Akinori Shinoda (Director, Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store Manager)

Mr. Naohiro Kaji (Director, Cultural Creation Industry Division, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

Mr. Shintaro Uchinuma (Book Coordinator)

・Moderator:

Yutaka Ito (Rubifull Foundation Representative Director)

A discussion was held on what role bookstores should play in the future, not as "places to sell books," but as places that create diverse encounters with books. Changes and challenges surrounding bookstores were shared, and various initiatives to connect people with books, such as information dissemination, events, and the creation of new sales spaces, were introduced.

Part 3 Talk Session: "Thinking from the Publishing and Editing Scene: 'Efforts to Make Books Read by Many People'"

・Speakers: Mr. Yoshifumi Kakuchi (Editor)

Mr. Tetsuya Mori (Manager, Ex-Knowledge Editorial Department)

Mr. Shinya Nakamura (Director, Newton Press, Head of Book Editing)

・Moderator:

Mariko Miyazaki (Rubifull Foundation Director)

The background of editors and publishers adopting full ruby and the efforts made during that process were introduced. It was stated that ruby is not a barrier to readers but a "bridge" to deliver the content of books to more people, and the aspirations of editors and publishers aiming for more readable publications through trial and error in design and production were shared.

◆ Participant Feedback

"I had never thought about ruby before, but I found it very interesting to hear broad perspectives on foreign roots, education, and disability issues."

"It was a very meaningful time to hear from various viewpoints, including bookstore initiatives, industry-wide efforts, and government support."

The Rubifull Foundation will continue to aim for the realization of a "Rubifull" society where everyone can live and learn easily through dialogue and practice with people from diverse backgrounds.

◆ General Incorporated Foundation Rubifull Foundation Overview

By promoting the dissemination and utilization of ruby in publications and digital content, we aim to contribute to the improvement of Japanese language proficiency, intellectual curiosity, and thinking skills, as well as to the creation of a multicultural society where everyone, including foreigners and people with disabilities, can live easily.

Location: goodoffice Shimbashi, 2-5-2 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Established: May 24, 2023

Representative Director: Yutaka Ito

URL: https://rubizaidan.jp/