• Japanese Binder Considerations
• Japanese Binder Recommendations
• More Great Japanese Binders
• Conclusion
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Japanese binders have many more rings than standard binders.

The biggest difference between Japanese binders and other binders is the number of rings used. Unlike American three-ring binders or European two-ring binders, Japanese binders can have as many as thirty rings to accommodate Japanese loose leaf paper. Because the number of rings and holes are so different, Japanese binders cannot be used with three-hole punched paper, nor can a three-ring binder fit Japanese loose leaf paper. However, most two-ring binders can use Japanese loose leaf paper.

Why do Japanese loose leaf papers have so many holes? A binder’s rings produce more stress on the paper when there are fewer holes. Two- or three-hole punched papers often need hole reinforcement stickers. By designing sheets with many more holes, the stress is spread out evenly over the entire edge of the paper. This leads to fewer tears. In addition, if a tear does occur, the paper won’t have to rely on just one or two holes to keep it inside the binder.

Kokuyo and Maruman loose leaf papers are generally interchangeable.

Most manufacturers also make refill papers for their binders, though it’s rarely necessary to match the paper and binder brands. There is an international standard for the placement of the holes, which Kokuyo and Maruman follow. Thus, papers made by these two companies are generally interchangeable as long as the size of the paper and binder are the same. Helpfully, Maruman designed their loose leaf paper so that you can put smaller sheets in larger binders. Be sure to check out the “Recommended Refills/Parts” link in the description of a binder, or the “Compatible Products” link on a loose leaf paper’s page, to see what products they can be used with.

Those who use A5 binders and want to use their own paper can purchase a hole punch. It punches the correct number of holes into sheets of A5 paper so that they can be added to a compatible 20-ring binder.

Lihit Lab notebooks and memo pads are the exception to the rule. They cannot use paper that would otherwise fit in a Kokuyo or Maruman binder and can only use sheets that are made by Lihit Lab. However, a hole punch is available so that you can make your own refills.

The slim size of the Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring Binder Notebook makes it an excellent option for students.

The Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring combines the best features of a notebook and a binder. The compact binding keeps it as slim as a spiral-bound notebook while still allowing you to add and remove pages. You can even fold the binding back on itself so it takes up less space on a desk. Open the rings by flipping the small plastic stopper at the top of the spine and clicking it in place. Then push the plastic rod down. The rings open almost silently, a thoughtful feature for students who are rearranging papers during a lecture.

The Standard Smart Ring comes in B5 and A5 sizes, both of which hold about twenty five sheets. It is also available in a larger version that can hold sixty sheets. Both options come with ten sheets of Sarasara paper. Unlike its more colorful siblings, the Smart Ring Biz comes with an understated opaque cover that is slightly wider. It hides sensitive notes and accommodates page flags that stick out from the edge of the paper. It has five sheets of graph paper inside.

An alternative to the Smart Ring is the Lihit Lab Aqua Drops. The ring binding can be opened by simply pulling on the page corners on the opposite sides of the rings, though you do have to pinch the rings closed. The Aqua Drops are only compatible with Lihit Lab papers, but you can get a hole punch to turn loose papers into sheets that will fit.