I see a lot of people “reading” graphic novels/comics. Not sure if they qualify as books. To me they are more like a snack from convenience shop compared to a proper “kaiseki” dinner.
I read comics myself and of course they are different from other books, but they can be as complex and artistically accomplished as a novel or an essay.
Thanks for this insightful article, Gianni. The situation is even worse than I thought.
I clearly remember how in the 1980s-90s almost everyone on the train was reading a book, magazine, or newspaper. These days people stare at their mobile phone, and sadly few of them are reading.
I notice it when someone reads from paper — it has become that rare.
Are there separate figures for the major urban areas, particularly the Kanto and Kansai?
Thanks, Kjeld. And you are absolutely right. I remember those trains full of reading people too.
I don't have any figures comparing major urban areas, but I was in Osaka a few months ago and my impression (e.g. train commuters) was that there's no difference between Kanto and Kansai.
It's sad when a culture loses its bookshops, the independent ones, I mean. Fortunately for Sydney and Melbourne, independent bookshops are going strong, thanks to extremely supportive communities. They've had to diversify, of course, which is why they are hanging in there.
There's a Kinokuniya in the heart of Sydney's CBD. It has a sizeable magazine collection, so I understand how important mags are to Japanese culture.
That's good news. As I mainly read in English, I all too often have to order online (but only secondhand books) because new English books sold in Japan are too expensive, and we only have one decent English used bookstore in the whole of Tokyo.
Because of space and the fact that I've moved aorund all my life, I rarely buy physical books any more. And I've found I no longer enjoy books shops - wherever they are - as much as I used to. It's easier to find what I like in digital form. And digital books are beginning to feel more "real" to me than ones made of paper.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Jeffrey. Those are very good reasons for going digital. Even my wife thinks that I should get rid of my books because they take up too much space. Alas, I love paper, and books as physical objects. I can do "tachiyomi" for hours without getting tired.
I hope this new initiative works. Japan's bookstores are one of its greatest treasures. Bookstores need support! Are there efforts to regulate or manage SNS usage, as well?
Romanticizing small local bookstores is common, but ordering books on Amazon, either in Kindle form or delivery is a better way for most people to get books. Searching for a book or a special magazine issue in bookstores is frequently tedious.
Public libraries are convenient and common, and were a great resource for me back when ebooks and news magazine web sites weren’t yet available. And Book-Off and other used bookstores also still have big stores, but seems to have a smaller selection now than a decade ago.
One funny thing I remember last time I was in Osaka looking for a book and went into a Tsutaya bookstore which had books on the walls across two floors, but most people were sitting at tables in the center area drinking coffee (that they sell there) and reading their laptops or phones, no one reading a paper book.
Thanks for your feedback and interesting take on the subject.
Of course, the bookstore vs. Amazon debate is very subjective. Bookstore lovers visit them for the very reason for which you find them tedious. Also, I think you are aware of all the problem that Amazon has caused to the publishing industry.
I order from Amazon too, but only secondhand books sold by bookstores. Ironically, many independent bookstore owners say that if they couldn't sell through Amazon, they would be out of business.
I go to Book-Off too [that's a big secondhand bookstore chain, for those who don't know it]. The problem with them is that they sell books the way they could sell cabbages. There's no curation. They seem to be ignorant about what they sell. And they "cheat" when they buy your books.
Libraries are good too, of course. I keep teaching at my university mainly because I have access to its lovely library.
I see a lot of people “reading” graphic novels/comics. Not sure if they qualify as books. To me they are more like a snack from convenience shop compared to a proper “kaiseki” dinner.
I read comics myself and of course they are different from other books, but they can be as complex and artistically accomplished as a novel or an essay.
Thanks for this insightful article, Gianni. The situation is even worse than I thought.
I clearly remember how in the 1980s-90s almost everyone on the train was reading a book, magazine, or newspaper. These days people stare at their mobile phone, and sadly few of them are reading.
I notice it when someone reads from paper — it has become that rare.
Are there separate figures for the major urban areas, particularly the Kanto and Kansai?
Thanks, Kjeld. And you are absolutely right. I remember those trains full of reading people too.
I don't have any figures comparing major urban areas, but I was in Osaka a few months ago and my impression (e.g. train commuters) was that there's no difference between Kanto and Kansai.
Very interesting and troubling news.
It's sad when a culture loses its bookshops, the independent ones, I mean. Fortunately for Sydney and Melbourne, independent bookshops are going strong, thanks to extremely supportive communities. They've had to diversify, of course, which is why they are hanging in there.
There's a Kinokuniya in the heart of Sydney's CBD. It has a sizeable magazine collection, so I understand how important mags are to Japanese culture.
That's good news. As I mainly read in English, I all too often have to order online (but only secondhand books) because new English books sold in Japan are too expensive, and we only have one decent English used bookstore in the whole of Tokyo.
Oh, that's interesting. I thought there'd be more choices for English speakers.
Years ago there were three or four, then they closed down one after the other.
I guess it's part of the big picture that is the loss of bookshops.
Thanks for all the extensive reserach, Gianni!
Because of space and the fact that I've moved aorund all my life, I rarely buy physical books any more. And I've found I no longer enjoy books shops - wherever they are - as much as I used to. It's easier to find what I like in digital form. And digital books are beginning to feel more "real" to me than ones made of paper.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Jeffrey. Those are very good reasons for going digital. Even my wife thinks that I should get rid of my books because they take up too much space. Alas, I love paper, and books as physical objects. I can do "tachiyomi" for hours without getting tired.
I could spend hours in a bookstore - whereas window shopping with my wife for 30 minutes just kills me.
Same here!
I hope this new initiative works. Japan's bookstores are one of its greatest treasures. Bookstores need support! Are there efforts to regulate or manage SNS usage, as well?
I don't think so. The only things I know about are meant to fight illegal practices like websites streaming copyrighted anime and the like.
Romanticizing small local bookstores is common, but ordering books on Amazon, either in Kindle form or delivery is a better way for most people to get books. Searching for a book or a special magazine issue in bookstores is frequently tedious.
Public libraries are convenient and common, and were a great resource for me back when ebooks and news magazine web sites weren’t yet available. And Book-Off and other used bookstores also still have big stores, but seems to have a smaller selection now than a decade ago.
One funny thing I remember last time I was in Osaka looking for a book and went into a Tsutaya bookstore which had books on the walls across two floors, but most people were sitting at tables in the center area drinking coffee (that they sell there) and reading their laptops or phones, no one reading a paper book.
Thanks for your feedback and interesting take on the subject.
Of course, the bookstore vs. Amazon debate is very subjective. Bookstore lovers visit them for the very reason for which you find them tedious. Also, I think you are aware of all the problem that Amazon has caused to the publishing industry.
I order from Amazon too, but only secondhand books sold by bookstores. Ironically, many independent bookstore owners say that if they couldn't sell through Amazon, they would be out of business.
I go to Book-Off too [that's a big secondhand bookstore chain, for those who don't know it]. The problem with them is that they sell books the way they could sell cabbages. There's no curation. They seem to be ignorant about what they sell. And they "cheat" when they buy your books.
Libraries are good too, of course. I keep teaching at my university mainly because I have access to its lovely library.
Good write up, Gianni.
I have difficulty seeing the financial support measures succeeding. I can't think of any that have. It's just entropy.
Book-Off, Hard-Off and all of the 2nd-hand shops spread like weeds, but the demand is there for selling and buying.
How long before we see 2nd-hand food and medical device stores?