(Purpose)

1. Tohoku University (hereinafter referred to as “the University”), based on its long-standing traditions of “Research First” and “Open Door”, has a mission to widely disseminate research outputs created at the University. Accordingly, to disseminate knowledge as a globally open research-centered university and contribute to the sustainable development of human society, the University hereby establishes the following Open Access policy.

(Definitions)

2. In this policy, “research outputs” refer to scholarly articles authored by faculty members of the University and published in academic journals issued by publishers, academic societies, universities, or similar bodies. This includes research outputs resulting from joint research with external researchers.

(Publication of Research Outputs)

3. The University shall make research outputs publicly available through the Tohoku University Institutional Repository (hereinafter referred to as “TOUR”). However, the copyright of the research outputs shall not be transferred to the University.

(Exceptions)

4. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, if publication via TOUR is deemed inappropriate due to unavoidable reasons, such as copyright restrictions, the University shall not make the relevant research outputs publicly available.

(Non-Retroactive Application)

5. This policy shall not apply to research outputs published prior to the enforcement of this policy, nor to research outputs for which contracts conflicting with this policy were concluded before its enforcement.

(Submission of Research Outputs and Registration in TOUR)

6. Faculty members shall, unless there are special circumstances, submit research outputs that can be published in TOUR to the University as promptly as possible. Matters related to the registration, publication, and TOUR conditions of use shall be handled in accordance with the Tohoku University Institutional Repository Operational Guidelines.

(Review)

7. The University shall continuously review whether its Open Access initiatives are functioning effectively in accordance with the purpose of this policy.

(Miscellaneous)

8. Matters necessary for Open Access that are not stipulated in this policy shall be determined through consultation among the relevant parties.

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• February 21, 2018: Approved by the University Library Council
• March 13, 2018: Approved by the Executive Planning Council