2013. 8 Special feature : Current states of bookstores

The present trend of bookstores in Japan

Kyoko SHIBANO
Sophia University
7-1 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8554 JAPANAbstract: During the past decade, the number of bookstores decreased to approximately 70% in Japan. Particularly small independent bookstores are closing rapidly, and also large scale bookstores and chain bookstores encounter many difficulties caused by new business players as Amazon Japan. After overviewing those trends, this paper aims to experimentally discuss about the influence brought by online bookstores to real space, and the “reality” newly discovered in the opposition of virtual reality.Keywords:  bookstore / distribution / suburbanization / Amazon.com / real bookstore / sphere of life / public

Risk and the possibility of bookstores

Wataru HOSHINO
BunkaTsushin
2-4-3 Yushima Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-0034 JAPANAbstract: Bookstore number of Japan has declined significantly since 2000. In the reduction of the magazine market is mainly the cause. In addition, the impact of e-books may be increased expected future. On the other hand, movement and to evaluate again, the value of the bookstore as a real space, bookstore attempt to capture e-book also has appeared. Based also a structural problem that “TORITUGI” system of Japanese-style has, to explore the direction of the bookstore in the future.Keywords:  bookstore / system of toritsugi / bookstore management / book / e-book / publishing industry

Electronic publishing business and the role of a bookstore

Toshihiko YUASA
Ritsumeikan University, College of Letters
6-1 Tojiin-Kitamachi, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8577 JAPANAbstract: I had a general view of the location of bookstores in the publishing distribution in Japan and examined the relationship between today’s electronic publishing business and bookstores, based on the prehistory of the change which occurred to the distribution of academic publishing and the digitization of information of books and magazines. This clarified that the existing real bookstores could not become main players in publishing distribution which does not accompany physical distribution. However, the good point of real bookstores is spatial presentation. In the light of the fact that ordinary bookstores which had been considered natural came to be called “real bookstores” due to the advent of on-line bookstores such as Amazon and that their value was freshly reviewed, I consider that the value of “paper books” will not vanish, although it is subject to relativization because of the evolution of electronic publishing.Keywords:  publishing distribution / bookstores / academic publishing / digitization / electronic publishing

Role of the bookstore of the town

Kenji OIRI
Ohraido-shoten
2-47-11 sendagi bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0022 JAPANAbstract: Recently, the retail store of the small and personal management decreases not only a bookstore.
On the other hand, it is the times when a convenience store and a chain store, a large store or a shopping center with the large capital are outstanding. What is necessary so that a bookstore of the personal management survives? Which of the work included in each field such as waiting on customers, the stocking, product development, sales promotion, PR, the event is most important? I arrange plural work going for now, and examine each future and importance. The bookstore of the new times is created from here.Keywords:  A reading experience / share / context / a permanent domicile and the present address / purposeless

Bookshop as Old Bookshop

Hiroshi TARUMI
Nihon Kosho Tsushinsya
3-8 Ogawamachi Kanda Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo 101-0052 JAPANAbstract: Old books have existed since books started to be published, and the history of distribution of books began. Bookstores in early years were involved from production to sale of newly published books, and transactions of old books were also carried out. In line with the increase in publication of books, stores of new books and those of old books were separated, and the method of distribution also changed. The old book industry operated exchange markets between traders and established a system to decide sale prices based on the relationship between demand and supply. They dug up precious old books, forming a nationwide organization and played the role of conveying old books to future generations. After entering into the 21st century, the wave of digitization came on the book world. A major revolution is about to occur to the form of books. However, professional knowledge and experience are expected to be required in the future even more than at the present time in ascertaining the value of each old book with its own character.Keywords:  old bookshop / secondhand bookshop / old booksellers association / dealer only old book auction / catalogue of old books for sale / dealer only old book auction in special fields / bookshop of new book for sale as used / book digitization / Nihon no Furuhonya