The industry is feeling a sense of crisis that, if they do nothing and stay passive... huge foreign IT firms could take the e-book market.

Quote of the Day Jul. 09, 2012 - 05:28AM JST ( 5 )

Yashio Uemura, communications professor at Senshu University. (AFP)

2

sillygirlJul. 09, 2012 - 08:48AM JST

too late, i think they already have.
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badmigraineJul. 09, 2012 - 09:02AM JST

One wonders why a "big firm" is even necessary anymore for ebooks.
1

LowlyJul. 09, 2012 - 11:24AM JST

the jpns publishers and the paper-hawking printing house and bookstore cartel that they kowtow to has dillied and it has dallied. They could've figured out a way to join and get in on the new ebook industry, but now it is now. I doN't care who does it, I want them to start making j books for kindle etc that are not frickin JPEGS, and that are fully dictionary and search interactive. Then I will get a kindle and have a shining enjoying new life.
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JeffLeeJul. 09, 2012 - 04:44PM JST

Why do the Japanese view foreign things and people as such threats? Big IT companies are multinationals -- as opposed to being "foreign" -- and employ lots of Japanese people at their subsidiaries. Their products help Japanese consumers and business bu giving greater choice and competitive prices.

When Japanese cars and gadgets flooded into America and Europe in the 60s and 70s, most people embraced the products, rather than cringing in fear at them. Time to grow up, Japan.
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Tami Jane SpencerOct. 28, 2012 - 07:23PM JST

Yes, I think so too. It should not be perceived as a threat, but a good opportunity to improve, especially if the effects are settling on the positive.