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Focuses on Japanese electronic giant Sony and its highly profitable games division. Features of Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP), a handheld game machine and media player; Comments of Ken Kutaragi, head of the Sony Computer Entertainment division; Efforts of Kutaragi's team to create a supercomputerlike PlayStation 3; Background on the company; Outlook for the release of the PSP; Strategy of Nobuyuki Idei, Sony's chief executive officer; Sony's rivals, including Microsoft and Apple; Views of analysts; Sony's attempt to strike a balance between protecting content and giving customers the ability to use technology to its full potential. INSET: Small Is Beautiful.

The article discusses the problems of test case revalidation, test execution, failure identification, fault identification, modification dependency and fault mitigation in applying regression testing and presents both management and technical techniques to address them. Some of these solutions are already being used by software developers, even though they may not be widely known. This article proposes a multilevel regression testing framework that can be easily adapted into a software development and maintenance process in which regression testing can play a key role in improving and ensuring consistent software quality. Observations are based on accumulated experience in software development and maintenance in the U.S. and Japan, including Hitachi Software Engineering Co. Regression testing has been extensively studied by researchers from a theoretical point of view. However, there has been little discussion on applying regression testing in industrial environments. While researchers are mostly concerned with reducing the number of test cases for retesting, there are other important issues in using regression testing in an industrial environment.

This article discusses the key outcomes of Fifth Generation Computer Systems (FGCS) project. The decade-long FGCS project ended in June 1992 with mixed feelings about its outcome. On the one hand, the results do not measure up to the high expectations and fears the project's announcement generated. Furthermore, the results do not seem to generate much interest within the computer industry at this time. On the other hand, those who participated in the project, as well as those who followed closely its development through the years, do have a sense of achievement. The Fifth Generation project was unique and "a first" in many ways. It was the first national research project in Japan to embrace international collaboration and exchange. It was unique in making such an expensive and long-term commitment for specific basic research goals and for pursuing them consistently for the entire period. And it was the first project to make such a profound and large-scale commitment to logic programming as its conceptual and technical foundation.

Reports on computer capacity planning in Japan that rely on intuitive and judgmental approaches. Factors that contribute to the effectiveness of the judgmental methods; Provision of useful consumer behavior information for marketing computer products in Japan.

As part of Japan's effort to become a leader in the computer industry, the Institute for New Generation Computer Technology has launched a revolutionary ten-year plan far the development of large computer systems which will he applicable to knowledge information processing systems. These Fifth Generation computers will be built around the concepts of logic programming. In order to refute the accusation that Japan exploits knowledge from abroad without contributing any of its own, this project will stimulate original research and will make its results available to the international research community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses Japan's interest in developing a neural computer, a device modelled on the human brain. Experiments on a nematode called "Caenorhabditis elegans" by Nippon Electric Company's new research laboratory; Launching of research program to study the problems involved in building a neural computer; History of interest in neural computers. INSET: Building computers to work like the brain..

The article reports that at the invitation of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Association for Computing Machinery has recently cosponsored a three-and-one-half day technical conference in Tokyo, in conjunction with Commerce's six-day exhibition of U.S. computer equipment. Computer '70 and the Computer '70 Colloquium, as the show and conference were called, were held at Tokyo's Harumi Pier, from October 12-14, 1970. Over 19,000 members of Japan's data processing community queued up to view at the open admission exhibition the products of 65 U.S. manufacturers. In addition, over 350 persons, most in key managerial and research positions, attended the Colloquium where, to defray expenses, attendance was on a fee basis--about $100 for the full conference and $25 for one day. Also participating in the seven half-day sessions were 27 U.S. computing experts and 10 leading Japanese professionals, whose papers were presented simultaneously in English and Japanese. The timeliness of the topics and the caliber of the participants can be recognized from the program.

A realistic appraisal of the speed of two new Japanese super-computers developed by Fujitsu and Hitachi soon will be made in Japan by U.S. supercomputer specialists using representative problems supplied by Los Alamos National Laboratory, one of the largest users of supercomputers. Anticipated new U.S. designs include: Cray 2, GF-10, and HEP-2. Article discusses these computers. Photo shows the complexity of supercomputer interconnections.

Presents prospects for the Japanese information technology (IT) sector in 1999. Sales decline; Forecasts from IDC Japan and Dataquest Japan of a decline in shipments for the 1998 calendar year; Use of funds by information systems departments of corporations to fix the Year 2000 date conversion (Y2K) problem; Increasing demand for portable and mobile computers; Growth forecasts; Competition for market share.

Explores changes in computer businesses' use of consultants in Japan. Barriers facing consulting companies; Advantages of hiring consultants; Value of consultants to foreign companies expanding into the country; Areas in which consultants can make a difference in the conduct of business.

Expresses concerns that for lack of competitiveness, the United States is losing the computer industry to Japan. Expansion of the U.S. trade deficit; Comparison between the economies of the United States and Mexico; Obstacles to Japan's domination of information technology.

Assesses the personal computer (PC) industry in Japan. Overview of PC market based on Japan Electronics Industry Development Association (JEIDa) data; Development of end user computing in Japan; Development of PC-based multimedia.

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

Presents information as it relates to the computer industry in Japan. Details on the decline in the prices of memory chips; Information on the increase in sales of personal computers; Reference to some of the changes being made to market products in the computer industry. INSET: Days of auld not-so-lang syne.

Japan's Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) wants to spend two more years and a few more million dollars on its fifth generation computers. METI has already spent over 10 years and $400 million on the project. However, observers have not been all that impressed with the results, calling the machines slow and incompatible. Japanese scientists say the new effort will work on ways to link Japanese computers to Unix-based machines.

Reports the launch of the Fifth Generation Computer Project in Japan. Goals of the project; Competition with the western supremacy in computer technology; Development of a revolutionary computer systems incorporating concepts of artificial intelligence; Advantages of the system.

Highlights trends in the supercomputer industry in the U.S. and Japan as of February 1989. Cray Research's design and building of supercomputers; Dominance of Cray Research in the supercomputer industry; Competition from Japanese manufacturers; Enhancements made to supercomputers; Diversified nature of the Japanese companies building supercomputers.

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 success of Japan's "Dance, Dance Revolution" is beginning to hit America with the PlayStation 2 game, Guitar Hero. The article gives a description of what the game includes, as well as a brief overview of what the game is about. Red Octane, a Silicon Valley game publisher is devoted to making the music craze as popular in the U.S. as it is in Japan. Game developer Harmonix wrote the game code, and guitarmaker Gibson modeled the games controller to look like the popular Gibson SG. The game is growing in popularity, and Red Octane is scrambling to fill shelves of stores such as Best Buy.

Forecasts continued growth of the Japanese Internet market in 1999. Increase in number of Internet users in 1997 and 1998; Prediction of growth in number of home-based Internet users; Corporate information spending budgets; Popularity of personal electronic mails and home pages; Internet applications; Japan's reputation as largest Internet market in the Asia Pacific.

Presents the results of a survey on software localization in Japan. Components of software localization; Reasons for not localizing; Localization process; Strategies to improve localization efficiency.

Focuses on the trend among Japanese personal computer (PC) makers to procure low-cost PC components from foreign suppliers in order to market lower-priced PCs. Growth in the price-cutting competition in Japan; Requirements of the unique double-byte character code setting used for Japanese-language processing; Asian suppliers; Quality problem with foreign-made components; Modification of procurement strategies.

Interviews Philippe de Marcillac, senior vice president of worldwide research for International Data Corp. (IDC). Overview of the information technology (IT) research field; IDC's major competitors in Japan; Ratio of general research versus commissioned research; Method of gathering data; Accuracy of information announced by vendors; Major changes in the Japanese computer market for 1996.

This article presents statistics related to computer users in top five countries, such as, the U.S., Australia, Canada, Norway and Japan. Top five countries with the most computers per thousand people, according to the Computer Industry Almanac are U.S.- 319; Australia-225; Canada-220; Norway-218; and Japan-117.

This article highlights the findings of a report from market research company International Data Corp. that U.S. personal computer companies in Japan has gained market strength in 1994.

The New York Times reported that due to the massive damage caused by earthquake in Kobe, Japan, production of color screens for notebook computers may be in jeopardy, causing an industry-wide inventory shortage in the coming months. Nearly, all active-matrix displays are produced in the Kobe area; Fujitsu, Matsushita, Sanyo, Sharp, and Display Technology Inc. temporarily halted production due to plant damage since pristine conditions must exist in order to produce these screens. Heavily damaged ports are clogged, Japanese officials say, and predict at least four months and billions of dollars standing in the way of resumption of normal shipping schedules.

Even with the proposed $1.9 billion pumped into the High Performance Computing and Communications initiative, the U.S. will still have a hard time catching up to Japan where supercomputing is already used extensively in manufacturing and design. A report from the Gartner Group points out that Cray Research Inc., the principal U.S. supercomputer vendor, has annual revenues of less than $1 billion. In contrast, the three largest Japanese computer companies which are Fujitsui, Hitachi, and NEC have annual revenues ranging from $17 billion to $48 billion.

Reports on IBM Corp.'s effort to penetrate the personal computer market in Japan. Competition between IBM and NEC Corp.; Japanese computer companies supporting IBM Corp.; Licensing rights to personal computer technologies; Decision of IBM to allow companies to use information to run common software on Japanese machines.

Reports on the growing number of Japanese computing firms which are attracting American scientists to work on their research laboratories in the United States.

Reports that preliminary figures from Japan's Science and Technology Administration suggest the agency is planning the research and development budget increase in nearly a decade. Percentage of increase in fiscal 1991; Earmarked for computer developments.

Profiles Kazuhiko Nishi, computer entrepreneur and founder of the ASCII Corp. which makes personal computers. Reputation as one of Japan's prophets of the personal-computer age; Establishment of the company when Nishi was a teenager; Partnership with Bill Gates of Microsoft; Breakup with Microsoft in 1986.

Scrutinizes the computer market's influence on Tron, The Real-Time Operating Nucleus developed by Ken Sakamura of Tokyo University. United States hostility and changes in Japanese computer industry have a negative influence on this personal computer; DynaBook by Toshiba is booming in the marketplace; Software is developed to get around the large number of Japanese characters.

Reports on a leakage of two ministry reports revealing the unpopularity of computer use in Japan. Difficulty in typing phonetic Japanese into a computer; Development of fax machines to enable Japanese office workers to send handwritten notes; Success of fax machines in global market.

Reports that the Japanese company Fujitsu has announced a prototype memory chip capable of holding 256 megabits of data. Other Japanese firms that are working on 256-megabit chips; Largest dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chip at present; Description of how DRAMS store information.

The article reports on the contract awarded to Milpitas, California-based Appro by the University of Tsukuba in Tsukuba, Japan. The company has been awarded a contract for a 95TF Appro Xtreme-X(TM) Supercomputer to be deployed at the university's Center for Computational Sciences. The university selected Appro's Xtreme-X3 Supercomputer for its matchless Quad-Rail system interconnect. Appro will partner with Cray Technical Services and Sumisho Computer Systems to deliver the system and service.

The article describes the architectural design of an office building for a computer company in Tama, Japan by architect Dai'ichi Kobo. Aluminum and concrete are combined in the external facade to give the building a precise machined presence. A stair connects the employee entrance with the upper lobby and emerges from the flatness of the pool.

As Japanese companies expand US operations, many also adopt Western ideas of information technology management. Discusses how it's easier to import products than culture and probes the payoff here and in Japan. INSET: Why some US information system executives prefer Japanese pay....

Japanese companies increased their presence in `Datamation's' ranking of the 10 leading data processing companies in Japan by two. Approximately 84 percent of the combined revenues of these two top-10 firms was chipped in Japanese suppliers. These and other findings within.

Presents news briefs about the computer industry as of January 31, 2000. Zona Research Inc. survey on the attitudes of Americans regarding the Internet; Proposal to split Microsoft Corp. into several companies; Hacker attack on several Japanese government Web sites.

The article explores the software industry in Japan. According to the author, economic and cultural preferences for hardware production over software production in the country are beginning to shift. Details related to several challenges facing the industry, including inferior code, a lack of venture capital, and the dominance of large firms over small start-ups, are presented. Other topics include the Ruby programming language and the comparative profit margins of hardware and software firms.