The "Jibun Font" project is an industry-academia collaboration aimed at making typefaces more inclusive as social infrastructure. It aims to provide a customization system that allows readers to create an Individuated and optimal reading environment. First, the project developed three types of prototype fonts and conducted an evaluation study. The evaluation results confirmed that (1) the three types of prototype fonts could be more readable for certain groups or individuals; (2) the idea of providing an Individuated and optimal reading environment can be a useful tool, as fonts that are easier to read vary among different groups or individuals; and (3) some correlation may exist between the characteristics related to reading and writing and the visual features of fonts that are easy to read. This paper reports on the current progress of the project, presents its overall framework, and discusses the significance and limitations of typefaces as social infrastructure.

The history of Japanese printing is similar to character printing. At the end of the Muromachi period, i.e., during the Tenshou and Bunroku eras, lead movable printing technology was introduced from the West, and wooden movable printing technology from the East. This was the impetus for Japan's printing and publishing culture to flourish. Since then, I have considered it necessary to accurately understand the transition of printing technology, which has developed mainly by accepting foreign technology, and have summarized the technological transition centered on letters.