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The Japanese trade shows. NEC introduces an impressive 16-bit computer; and Canon previews a remarkable, inexpensive laser printer.

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues. "What Are U.S. Developers Worth?" which focused on job stability; "The New Brain Drain," which focused on the software industry; "Japan's Software Factories: A Challenge to U.S. Managers," which discussed the challenges facing U.S. managers.

The article reports on the efforts of industry groups in the U.S. and Japan to implement new procedures and standards for notebook lithium-ion batteries to prevent the recurrence of the recall of notebook lithium-ion batteries. Many notebook computer makers have announced recalls of the Sony Corp.'s lithium-ion batteries. In the United States, OEM companies are coordinating for efforts to combat the problem. In Japan a government-led plan is addressing the issue with local vendors.

The article informs that Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), frustrated with its failure to gain market share, has launched a multipronged legal attack in the United States and Japan against longtime rival Intel, charging that the world's leading maker of microprocessors bullies and bribes computer makers and retailers to keep them from using AMD chips. The gamble could pay off by opening new markets and generating painful fines against Intel for anticompetitive behavior. Or it could backfire by convincing potential customers that AMD, despite its recent technical successes, is a second-tier company afraid to compete.

Focuses on the hard-won success of American personal computer (PC) makers in the Japanese market. Commoditization and aggressive pricing of American-made PCs; Experience of US suppliers at low cost warfare; Attempt of Japanese manufacturers to match the Americans; Success of IBM Japan; Lead of Apple Japan. INSET: How it was done, by J.B..

Reports that Japan's leading computer and communications companies are beginning to make their moves in the area of multimedia technology. Fujitsu Ltd.'s agreement with General Magic Alliance; NEC Corp. and Microsoft Corp. partnership in the production of new communications products; Other Japanese companies' moves; Japan's underdeveloped cable business; Fujitsu's host computers.

Provides information on the 64-Mbit double-data-rate dynamic random access memory (DDR DRAM) technology in Japan. Japanese computer chip maker which has adopted the technology; Features and capabilities of the technology; Its advantages; Retail price of DDR devices.

Details the increasing popularity of thin notebook computers in Japan. Japanese notebook makers that develop thin computers; Technological challenges in developing the computer; Introduction of thin subnotebook computer of Sony Corporation in the United States.

Discusses the difficulties of using Japan's written language in word processing and how computer manufacturers are solving the problem. Description of the Japanese written language; First efforts at teaching computers to handle written language; Use of `double-byte code' (DBC); Automatic conversion of kanji characters; Challenges to kanji-conversion software; Example of Sharp Wah-Puro word processor; Implications for American software firms.

Focuses on the decision of several Japanese companies to add Universal Serial Bus connectivity and other peripheral features to their single-chip reduced-instruction-set computer (RISC) microcontrollers. Information on the embedded and RISC controllers of Hitachi Ltd.; Features of Hitachi controllers; Information on the processors produced by Toshiba Corporation; Updates on the Internet access processor of Sanyo Semiconductor Incorporated.

Focuses on the move of Palm Inc. to enter the handheld computer market in Japan. Subsidiary established by Palm in Japan; Competitors of the company; Challenges faced by Palm in Japan.

Reports on the success of American computer makers in the Japanese market.

Comments on the globalization of the computer industry and Japan's push in the industry. Growth seen in the Asian computer market; Commitment of Japanese and other Asian companies to the industry push; Need for Asian companies to acquire the expertise of managers from Europe and the United States.

Reports on Japanese computer companies' research and development efforts on the use of computers in language translation. Fujitsu Laboratories president Shigeru Sato's views on computer use in translation; Other Japanese companies' development programs; Problems faced by Japan in integrating non-Japanese into its research community.

Discusses the computer-related investments of the United States in Japan. Transition from proprietary systems; Difficulty in moving existing software; Potential in enterprise computing; Database and networking developments in Japan.

Reports on a widespread shortage of semiconductors in Japan as demand accelerates from both the personal-computer and consumer-electronics sectors. Strong demand for chip sets and integrated circuits from China Southeast Asia and the United States (US); Increase in Japan's overall electronic-component production since January 1994; Focus of South Korean producers in dynamic random access memory products (DRAMs).

Reports on American trade officials pressuring Japan to widen access to its supercomputer market. Compliance to the 1990 supercomputer agreement; Comments from United States Trade Representative Mickey Kantor.

Reports on the result of Intel Corporation's promotion of the Miniature Card flash-memory module as the standard for portable consumer-electronics devices. Information on the Miniature Card; Reason for the failure of the device to suit the portable consumer applications; Comments from Hisashi Nagai, marketing manager for Intel K.K.; Information on other flash memory devices in Japan's market.

Reports that Toshiba Corporation and Fujitsu Limited, two Japanese personal computer (PC) vendors are expanding their server businesses. Plan of Toshiba to expand its business to the United States; Fujitsu's alliance with Intel Corporation to develop high end servers; Comments from executives of the two companies.

Offers a look at the PC and innovative products from Japan that hit the 1996 computer market. The Sony PC, a high end small office/home office (SOHO) product; A line of PCs from Toshiba targeted at the home office market; Comments on the lack of Japanese created products on the market; Prediction on the success of the second attempt of Japanese PC makers.

Discusses a proposed Japanese quality standard, JIS Z9901, which could become a significant trade barrier to United States software exports. Actions by the American Electronics Association (AEA) and the Information Technology Industry Council; AEA view that companies selling products containing software to Japan might have to seek third party registration of their quality system to a new requirement; Other `hybrid' standards; More.

Reports opening of joint venture in Japan and signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China by Advanced Micro Devices (AND). Details of the joint venture with Japan; Details of building of a test and assembly plant in China's Singapore-Suzhou Township and the MOU.

Reports that companies are being encouraged to develop contingency plans for reducing dependency on products and services from northeast Asia as of May 30, 2005, according to Gartner Inc. Percentage of companies in the world which have investments in China and Japan; Possible scenarios on the impat of the unstable relations between China and Japan on the global information technology (IT) industry; Plan of Chinese IT service and software firms to reduce their Japanese business initiatives.

The article reports that Nintendo has released its new dual screen handheld console, the DS videogame, in the U.S. before all other territories. The DS launched November 21 alongside seven software titles, and sold some 500,000 hardware units in less than two weeks. The system launched in Japan 11 days later, hitting the 500,000 unit mark in only four days, making for a worldwide combination of well over a million as of press time. A March release is planned for the U.K. The dual screen setup, in combination with touch screen and stylus make the console unique in the market and thus something of a risky venture for smaller developers.

Reports that Gartner Inc. raised its fourth quarter 2003 personal computer (PC) shipments. Comparison of PC unit shipments in 2002 and 2003; Role of euro appreciation in growth of demand; Effectivity of the PC recycling law in Japan.

The article reports developments in high technology industries in the U.S. The impact of the Fifth-Generation computer project in Japan had little impact on the supercomputer industry in the U.S. On the other hand, Compaq Computer Corp. unveiled a line of low-cost desktop and notebook personal computers starting at less than 900 million dollars. In other report, Saturn Corp., a division of General Motors Corp., has begun exporting cars to Taiwan.

Looks at several topics in the computer industry in 1995. The Japanese computer market and the impact of the decision by Compaq Computer, IBM and Hewlett-Packard to cut the prices of personal computers (PC); Efforts by Fujitsu and Toshiba to sell PCs outside Japan; AST Research; Acer Group; Gateway 2000.

Reports that computer businesses in Japan continue to suffer from lackluster large-systems sales in the 1994 first-half results, despite increased demand for PCs, liquid crystal displays and semiconductors.

Reports on the popularity of Intel 90/100MHz Pentium microprocessor units (MPU) among a number of Japanese hardware makers. Endorsements from NEC, Fujitsu, Oki Electric, Toshiba and Hitachi; Slated release dates for NEC and Fujitsu products.

Presents the Japan Electronic Industry Development Association's (JEIDA) forecast on the Japanese computer market for 1994. Statistical information; Data on computer vendors' revenues; Support factors on the Japanese computer industry.

Reports on the move of Japan's mainframe makers toward large-scale reduced instruction set computing-based parallel computers. Drop in computer sales for fiscal 1992; Question of profitability; Companies' move toward implementation of complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology; Business plans of Fujitsu, NEC and Hitachi.