This conversation between Ilan Stavans and Yukio Tono reveals a rich and complex history of Japanese lexicography, spanning over 1,400 years, from the earliest Kanji-character dictionaries of the 7th century to the present day. Japanese lexicography has evolved significantly, with a notable surge in the development of monolingual dictionaries after World War II. The history of bilingual lexicography, including English-Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries, is also a significant area of development. Additionally, the development of electronic pocket dictionaries containing more than 100 full-content dictionaries was a unique technological innovation in Japanese monolingual and bilingual lexicography. In recent years, online dictionaries have become increasingly popular, offering users convenient and accessible ways to look up words and phrases. This overview provides a general summary of the development of Japanese lexicography, from its early beginnings to the present day, highlighting key milestones and trends in the field.