I find it ironic that your survey of readers [reported in the December issue of Computing Japan] showed a low interest in the "BCN Market Overview" feature. When I saw my first copy of your magazine (at a presentation on Japanese software that included representatives of JETRO) about two or three years ago, the BCN feature was the one that I found most interesting!

While I've come across many sources of [data on] software sales in the US, that was the first time I saw something published in English on the market in Japan. Since I've become a subscriber, I've never missed looking at that feature. I hope the survey results don't lead you to dropping these stats.

On the "business vs. technology" question: I've never considered Computing Japan a technology magazine. (I'm a software engineer, so my standards are very high.) Yet your magazine has features that aren't pure business that I wouldn't want to miss. These deal with the problems (of a somewhat technical nature) that those of us face who use technology in a mode that's not purely English and not purely Japanese.

Whether we're software engineers trying to write code for a number of hardware/OS/ user language combinations, or jet-setting executives needing contact info in multiple languages, we seem to be a forgotten group not well addressed by mainstream media or manufacturers. In that respect, Computing Japan has been playing a very valuable and unique role. I hope you'll continue to support us folks trying to drag our technology from one culture into another.

Chris Rominski, Seattle, WA

I hope that the results of your recent reader survey do not lead you to drop "What the Japanese Are Reading." It may not be a major selling point, but for readers like me, your magazine represents a one-stop-shopping source of information on the Japanese IT industry. "What the Japanese Are Reading" is an important part of the package, and saves me from spending hours each week slogging through the over-abundant supply of Japanese literature. I hope that this section could actually be expanded. This would make Computing Japan an even more valuable business resource.

Bill Amsden

I'd like to see an extensive comparison of Personal Digital Assistants available in Japan, along with some pros and cons on whether they're worth having at all. I don't believe you've run much on this recently.

Keep up the good work. As a former journalist myself, I recognize quality.

Chris Fitzpatrick

I'd like to thank you for the great magazine and a lot of interesting information it provides. Your articles on bilingual computing have been a big help to me.

Pavel Alexandrov

I remember Computing Japan in its beginning days. [My colleague and] I would run through the latest issue as soon as we received it. She would always say that Computing Japan was one of the greatest things to hit Tokyo.

Now, I pick up Computing Japan here in Silicon Valley and peruse your Website for the latest in Japanese technology. In addition, I have used it for business leads as well.

Michael Kahl, Mountain View,CA

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