[MPEG-OTSPEC] Advancing Font Specification: Embracing Expanded Glyphs and CITPC's Perspective

[MURATA]

Dear Members of the MPEG-OTSPEC Mailing List,

I hope this email finds you well. As the Chairperson
of the Font Specification Investigation Subcommittee
at CITPC (Character Information Technology Promotion
Council) in Japan, I am writing to share two
important viewpoints on behalf of our organization.

Firstly, we believe it is crucial to address the
limitations posed by the current 16-bit glyph
restriction. There is a growing demand for fonts that
can accommodate a larger number of glyphs exceeding
this limitation. It would be highly desirable to have
font specifications that can support an expanded
range of glyphs. However, we want to emphasize that
we understand and take into consideration concerns
related to compatibility.

Secondly, we strongly urge against any specification
changes that could have a negative impact on Japanese
fonts. In Japan, we have an extensive collection of
fonts developed based on de facto specifications that
existed before the establishment of the Open Font
Format (OFF). These fonts hold significant
importance, and it is vital to avoid any modifications
that might disrupt their functionality. It is worth noting
that the language used in the OFF standard does
not always accurately reflect the nuances of the
de facto specifications at that time. Therefore, relying
solely on the wording of the OFF standard may not
provide a comprehensive understanding of the
potential impact on Japanese fonts. We intend to
identify any inaccurate descriptions and report
them to this mailing list.

We firmly believe that open dialogue and
collaboration with font designers, developers, and
other stakeholders are crucial to gaining a
comprehensive understanding of the potential
consequences. By working together, we can find
appropriate solutions that strike a balance between
innovation and preservation.

CITPC is fully committed to actively participating in
discussions, sharing our expertise, and providing
support to help achieve a font specification that
meets the diverse needs of users while preserving the
integrity and compatibility of Japanese fonts.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email. We
sincerely appreciate your support in considering our
viewpoints.

Best regards,
Makoto Murata
Chairperson, Font Specification Investigation Subcommittee
Character Information Technology Promotion Council (CITPC)
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