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"Japan's Longest Day" is a graphic novel that provides an in-depth account of Japan's surrender in World War II. The story begins in 1853 with the reopening of Japan's ports by U.S. commodore Matthew Perry, which sparks a power struggle between the government, military, and imperial court. The first half of the novel covers the decades leading up to the war, while the second half focuses on the two days from Emperor Hirohito's surrender to the broadcast of his speech announcing the end of the war. The novel explores intrigue, rebellion, and loyalty as factions of the military plot coups, battles break out, and imperial loyalists risk their lives to preserve the recording of the emperor's surrender. The artwork features meticulously rendered battle scenes and classic samurai manga style. Although the early chapters are dry, the novel builds tension and offers a solidly crafted dramatic history. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents information on the publishing events the Asian Festival of Children's Content, which focused on Japan in 2016 and was again scheduled to take place from May 17, 2017, to May 21, 2017, with a focus on Indonesia, and the Singapore Writers Festival, scheduled to begin November 4, 2016.

This section offers news briefs related to the book industry. There is a plan by Borders to implement going-out-of-business sales at stores that will close by the end of May 2011. A 4.5% decline in bookstore sales was posted in January 2011, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan has led to profound damage and business disruptions at the Kinokuniya Bookstore chain.

Reports that at last year's Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's book publishers were formally introduced to Sony's first electronic alternative to ink on paper, the Data Discman, known as `DD1' in Japan. Hardware is Sony's; Data is compiled and the compact discs are produced by the giant printers Toppan and Dai Nippon; First standards, then markets; A tour of Toppan's new Media Center in downtown Tokyo; Applications of these new services; Extending definitions; More.