Maruzen bookstore is closing its major branch in Odori, Sapporo October
16 2005.  Maruzen plans to open a new store in a few months, in Naebo.

See the following for bookstores in Sapporo that sell imported books:
http://www.geocities.com/evelynleeper/jp-north.htm#sapporo
(Popular page.  If you get the message "Sorry, this site is temporarily
unavailable!" please wait and try again.) 

Maruzen Kyoto closed Oct. 10th.  They say they are looking for a location
for a replacement Kyoto branch.  Meanwhile, Junkudo has announced that
it will open a large branch in Kyoto Kawaramachi, not far from their
current Kyoto branch on Shijo.

Maruzen Osaka moved into Shinsaibashi Sogo Department Store.

Maruzen is selling a lot of prime real estate in city centers when the
real estate market is offering near lowest.  The justification is that
the company gets favorable tenant deals in new malls for bookstores
attract customers.  Shinsaibashi Sogo is indeed on a front street, but
Naebo is far from central Sapporo.  And why did they let rival Junkudo
pick up that piece of real estate in Kyoto?

---

JENS AT&T, my Internet connection, has announced that they will discontinue
their Usenet News Server.  I will try to look for methods to stay in the
newsgroups.  On the other hand, this a chance to consider other channels.

If you have any suggestions, please send private mail to me:
mailto:afu@wta.att.ne.jp . 

[Cross-posted to fj.life.in-japan with permission from
soc.culture.japan.moderated moderators]