They are, however, general in nature and not always suitable to information and research services for the Diet. On the other hand, the Bureau and each research division has its own library as mentioned earlier, and analysts are regularly browsing newly acquired books, newspaper and periodical articles. The Internet is also becoming a useful information source these days. Each analyst used to keep his own information file using card, notebook, filing cabinet, etc. The Information Sharing System is to provide researchers with a common handy electronic device to keep their information files.
Analysts enter useful information on their own initiative to prepare for their research.
The accumulation of information will in due course grow into a useful database not of general character but oriented toward the Diet since the contents are selected by analysts with a view to meeting the information needs of the Members. The Information Sharing System is combined with the Tracking Request System. The articles and other materials used during research or photocopied as answers and recorded in the latter system can easily be copied to the former. A report which is prepared as an answer to a specific request but can be generalized is also copied to the Information Sharing System. The digital version of Issue Brief constitutes a separate file but is linked with this system and can be retrieved from it.