Japan

Marketed through Fuso Publishing Inc. in Japan, this weekly collection comprises a boxed set containing a small-scale model, complete with stand, and colour specification and file cards. All 65 planned sets have been released but are still available.

Further information: DelPrado Japan, Kaigan 1-15-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo 101-0054. Tel: +81 3 5282 2971, Fax: +81 3 5282 2970. Web: This Week

This weekly partwork is a Japanese version of the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft series originally published in the UK by Aerospace Publishing (now part of the Summertime Publishing Group) in 1982 and again in 1989. Translated into six languages and sold in 20 countries, it was launched in Japan in the 1980s.

October 2003 saw the Japanese release of the first part of this forthightly series, already available in the UK from GE Fabbri.
Each 16-page A4 issue covers one warplane type from each of three eras: Pre-1945, 1946-69 and post-1970, including cutaways, technical specifications, side views, both colour and black and white illustrations, plus a 1/100th scale model of one of them.
The Japanese editions do not exactly mirror the contents of those released thus far in the UK. For example, the first issue covers the F-14 Tomcat (with model), SR-71 Blackbird and Hawker Typhoon, all for the introductory price of a mere \890. Each fortnight, a 50-minute DVD accompanying the series – currently planned to run to 45 issues – is also simultaneously released.

Further information: DeAgostini Japan, Ginza 2-15-2, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan. Tel: +81 3 5282 7010 (reader service centre), Fax: +81 3 5212 5312. Web: DeAgostini

First appeared in 1957. Appearing every Wednesday, it covers airline, aerospace and defence items at home and overseas in a “newsflash” style. Drab b&w pages occasionally interspersed with glossy colour for special reports that have recently (April 2003) included the Indian AF and Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force. (Japanese text only).
Annual subscription rate ¥15,000, six monthly ¥8400.

Further information: See Wing Daily. Tel: +81 3 3796 6647

English-language. No further information.

Further information: See Wing Daily.

The Japanese-language weekly Wing Travel, founded in April 1969 and `Japan’s leading tourism and aviation weekly`, launched this English-language version, the first of its kind in Japan, in January 2002. It was available free for three months as a trial before subscriptions were charged from April 2002.
Not to be confused with the Ikaros monthly J-Wings, as would be expected it covers civil aviation and travel industry trends. English standard, while not native level, is understandable.
Annual subscription rates are: ¥26,000/US$215; 6 months ¥15,000/US$125.
See also Wing Daily, Wing Newsletter and Wing Weekly.

Further information: Wing Aviation Press Co., Ltd (Kokushimbunsha), Sanmiyanaga Bldg 4F, Moto-Akasaka 1-5-12, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0051 Japan. Tel/Fax: +81 3 3796 6646. (English) J-Wing

Not to be confused with enthusiasts` quarterly of the same name (see above), this fortnightly glossy newspaper will celebrate its 50th anniversary on October 1, 2003. Covering aviation industry, airline, general aviation and defence matters, including exhibitions, with contributions mainly penned by industry figures, each issue also features a special topic. Some colour photos. (Japanese only text does have an English contents listing!)
Annual subscription rate ¥8800 incl. tax.

Further information: See Aviation Daily Japan.

First published in 1974, Issue No.114 (Spring 2003) of this aviation enthusiasts` quarterly magazine was available from January 2003. Contains registration, change of ownership information etc concerning both Japanese and foreign civil registers and details of movements within Japan. English only text.
Annual subscribers are entitled to the four copies of JAN plus a copy of Civil Markings of Japan, a JAN special.

Further information: CCR Publications, PO Box 28, Shiba, Tokyo 105-8691, Japan. E-mail: s93yarai@f5.dion.ne.jp

Reaching issue No.193 for Winter (February) 2003, Contrail is aimed at the aviation enthusiast and historian and has both civil and military content, with some emphasis on the US presence in Japan. A long-running series has been providing individual aircraft histories of JASDF F-86F Sabres. Photo reproduction in the main text is a bit iffy, but redeemed by glossier, sharper pictures on and inside the back cover.

Further information: Tsunehiro Kouda, JAHS, Honuracho 6-27, Minami-ku, Hiroshima-shi 734-0047 Japan. Tel: +81 82 281 2432, Fax: +81 82 286 0030. Web: JAHS

An adjunct to the quarterly Contrail (see below).

Further information: See Contrail below.