US PRESIDENT-elect Barack Obama has become an unexpected godsend to the Japanese publishing industry.
A small collection of Mr Obama’s speeches, complete with the English text and Japanese translation on the opposite page, has sold more than 400,000 copies since it came out last November.
Mr Obama’s speeches – including his inspiring “Yes, we can” catch phrase - can also be heard on an accompanying CD.
The first printing of 20,000 copies reportedly sold out completely on the day of publication, much to the delight of its publishers, Asahi Publications. The book was originally intended for use as supplementary English language teaching material and targeted at businessmen in their 30s and 40s.
But the publishers found that the book was being snapped up by Japanese of all ages, from teenagers to even one 93-year-old man.
Many Japanese were buying the book not to learn English, but to read what Mr Obama had to say about saving America and about his vision for his country.
They wrote in to the publishers not only to say that they were moved by Mr Obama’s speeches, but that the works ought to be compulsory reading for Japanese politicians.
Japanese politicians are basically a big let down when it comes to talking about the future of Japan and most of them lack the sort of oratory skills for which Obama is now well-known.
The text of US presidential speeches can be used freely but publishers are required to pay broadcasting companies a fee for the use of audio-visual material.
Publishers are said to be eyeing another possible goldmine from the president’s inauguration speech next Tuesday.
It appears that, no matter what Mr Obama may say in his speech, publishers here are all geared up for yet another winner.