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Photos by JUN NAGATA \/ Rafu Shimpo (except where noted) From left: Kodansha President and CEO Yoshinobu Noma, Kinokuniya Co. Chairman Masashi Takai and Consul General Kosei Murota participated in the kagami-wari ceremony at JACCC.<\/p>\n
Photos by JUN NAGATA \/ Rafu Shimpo (except where noted)
From left: Kodansha President and CEO Yoshinobu Noma, Kinokuniya Co. Chairman Masashi Takai and Consul General Kosei Murota participated in the kagami-wari ceremony at JACCC.<\/p>\n
By JUN NAGATA
RAFU STAFF WRITER<\/p>\n
Kinokuniya Bookstore Los Angeles, which recently relocated to the ground floor of the Kajima Building in a prime Little Tokyo location, held a reception on July 1 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center to celebrate its grand reopening.
The store renewed its commitment to revitalizing Little Tokyo and growing alongside the community by focusing not only on book sales but also on promoting Japanese pop culture.<\/p>\n
Distinguished guests \u2014 including Consul General Kosei Murota, Little Tokyo business leaders, and publishing industry professionals from both Japan and the U.S. \u2014 praised the expanded store\u2019s extensive product selection and expressed high expectations for its role in disseminating Japanese content, such as manga.<\/p>\n
Masashi Takai, chairman of Kinokuniya Co., delivered opening remarks, highlighting the company\u2019s history of expanding from its first U.S. location to major cities across the country, and expressing a commitment to continued growth and integration with the local community in Little Tokyo.<\/p>\n
According to Takai, Kinokuniya opened its first overseas store in San Francisco in 1969, marking 57 years since the company\u2019s entry into the U.S. market. He explained that the founder, Moichi Tanabe, decided to open the store out of a strong desire to respond to requests from Japanese Americans and the need to share Japanese culture with the U.S.<\/p>\n
Eight years later, in 1977, the Los Angeles store opened in Little Tokyo within the New Otani Hotel, and three years after that, in 1980, it relocated to Weller Court.<\/p>\n
Takai emphasized that for the past 46 years, the store has been an integral part of the Little Tokyo community, supported by local residents. Since then, the company has expanded its network across the U.S. \u2014 including locations in New York, Seattle, and Texas \u2014 and currently operates 22 stores in North America.<\/p>\n
The relocated store has embarked on a new chapter as a large-scale flagship location spanning approximately 14,000 square feet. Takai bowed deeply, expressing heartfelt gratitude, noting, \u201cThis is entirely due to the long-standing patronage and support of everyone here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding Los Angeles, he outlined a promising outlook: \u201cThe city is currently buzzing with excitement. Beyond the presence of Dodgers players Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki, the city is set to host the soccer World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. With ongoing infrastructure and stadium construction, further development is anticipated.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Attendees at the reception drank a toast to celebrate the opening of the new store.<\/p>\n
Takai emphasized that \u201cLittle Tokyo stands out as a particularly vibrant hub where people gather in great numbers within this metropolis.\u201d He spoke with conviction about the future, stating, \u201cJapanese manga, anime, music, cuisine, and culture continue to captivate people across generations and national borders, and the role played by Little Tokyo will only grow in importance. As a member of this community, Kinokuniya Bookstore is committed to contributing to the continued development of Los Angeles and Little Tokyo. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe ask for your continued support as we look forward to further growth in this location over the next 50 to 100 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Distinguished guests delivered congratulatory remarks to celebrate the launch of the new store. Comparing Kinokuniya\u2019s initial entry into the U.S. market in 1969 with the present day, Consul General Murota noted, \u201cWhile the original goal was to convey Japanese culture by selling Japanese books, the new mission is to disseminate a wide range of Japanese content, centered on anime. This is a truly significant role.\u201d<\/p>\n
He expressed his hope that Japanese content originating in Los Angeles would spread via social media and the Internet to reach audiences across the U.S. and around the world, and pledged his continued support, just as he had assisted with the opening of the new store.<\/p>\n
Yoshinobu Noma, president of publisher Kodansha, who led the toast, recounted how his grandfather had traveled to the U.S. to deliver a congratulatory address when the first store opened in 1969. Noting that this was his second time attending an anniversary reception \u2014 following the Los Angeles store\u2019s 40th-anniversary event \u2014 he said that he was \u201ctruly honored.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding Japan\u2019s efforts to expand its content business overseas, he explained that the government has set a goal to increase international sales of Japanese content \u2014 such as anime and games \u2014 from the current 6 trillion yen to 20 trillion yen by 2033, with various projects currently underway to achieve this.<\/p>\n
Noma emphasized, \u201cManga is positioned as a key sector within this initiative,\u201d and expressed his high expectations, stating, \u201cWe will continue to produce content that sells well, so I hope the team at the Los Angeles store will aggressively promote and sell it across the United States and around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Sakura Yamaguchi, manager of Kinokuniya Bookstore Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
Store Manager Sakura Yamaguchi took the stage to express her gratitude. She had been assigned to oversee the relocation and grand reopening, and she looked visibly relieved, expressing heartfelt gratitude that, despite delays, the new store had finally opened.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery day, I keenly feel the customers\u2019 passion for Japanese content,\u201d she said. \u201cI believe it is my mission to ensure this enthusiasm becomes a lasting fixture rather than a passing trend. I want to create an even better store and a better space.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also shared her aspirations, saying, \u201cThanks to the creation of this wonderful, spacious, and open store, the possibilities have expanded. I hope to do something exciting here in historic Little Tokyo,\u201d and was met with thunderous applause.<\/p>\n
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Naoki Oyamatsu of Kinokuniya Bookstores of America.<\/p>\n
Naoki Oyamatsu, senior vice president of Kinokuniya Bookstores of America, expressed his aspirations, stating, \u201cWe are proud to take this new step forward here in Little Tokyo, a place with a rich history of U.S.-Japan exchange. We remain committed to contributing to the continued prosperity of both Little Tokyo and Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n
He concluded the event by asking for the public\u2019s continued patronage of the newly reborn Los Angeles location.<\/p>\n
The new location offers access to the Kajima Building\u2019s parking lot and is close to the Metro Little Tokyo\/Arts District Station as well as various bus stops. Situated at the corner of San Pedro and First streets, the shop is accessible from both thoroughfares.<\/p>\n
With high foot traffic \u2014 driven by customers visiting nearby anime shops and Japanese restaurants \u2014 the move is considered an upgrade to a superior location that promises strong customer turnout.<\/p>\n
Boasting a sales floor more than twice the size of the previous location, the store offers a spacious, open atmosphere. The selection of Japanese-language books spans a wide range of genres, including novels, magazines, manga, travel guides, specialized works on Japanese culture and art, and picture books for young children.<\/p>\n
Regarding English-language titles, the store features one of California\u2019s largest selections of manga in translation, alongside a robust collection of general books, particularly English translations of Japanese literature that have recently garnered significant attention.<\/p>\n
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Kinokuniya USA
Shohei Ohtani merchandise at the new Kinokuniya location.<\/p>\n
In addition to books, the store offers high-quality Japanese-made stationery, mugs, T-shirts, plastic models, wallets, and gift items that combine stylish design with functionality. It also features permanent sections dedicated to Hello Kitty, anime figures, character merchandise, and Studio Ghibli titles such as \u201cMy Neighbor Totoro,\u201d \u201cCastle in the Sky,\u201d and \u201cSpirited Away,\u201d alongside original products exclusive to the Los Angeles location. A photo book and bobblehead doll featuring Shohei Ohtani also catch the eye.<\/p>\n