Yohan Inc., the leading foreign book and magazine wholesales merchant of
Japan declared bankruptcy on July 31th 2008.

Random Walk Kyoto and Random Walk Kobe, retail stores operated directly
by Yohan, are "closed temporarily due to certain circumstances" from 
August 1st.  It is not clear when (if ever) these stores will reopen.

On the same day Yohan Booksellers, a subsidiary which runs Aoyama Book
Center and Ryusui Books, filed for protection from creditors under the 
Civil Rehabilitation Law (Minji saisei hou).  These stores are still 
open as of this writing.

Yohan was the prominent provider of foreign books and magazines in
Japan.  Many bookstores, small and large, were totally dependent on
Yohan, from title selection to shelf management.  For books, it seems 
bookstores can find other agents, but for magazines, it will take time 
for a new channel to get set up.

Yohan's website is not accessible:
http://www.yohan.co.jp/

Debito writes of his experience with bookstores:
http://www.debito.org/?p=1856