This June 1998 issue marks two milestones for Computing Japan.

First, and most significant, this is our fourth anniversary issue. Since June 1994, Computing Japan has been providing timely news and analyses of Japan's computer, information technology (IT), and telecommunications markets. During that time, the magazine has established a reputation for unbiased and authoritative coverage of events, technologies, and trends here that are shaping the way we work and communicate.

Success in Japan's English-language magazine market doesn't come easy, as evidenced by some recent closures and changes-of-hands. So the fact that Computing Japan has grown in readership, in geographic distribution, and in advertising revenues is proof that it fulfills a need, both among readers and advertisers.

The Japanese IT industry has been evolving rapidly. When I started work on our premiere issue, public Internet access in Japan had been a reality for only a few months, and there were just a handful of (mostly expensive) access providers. Client/server was being hailed as the new corporate networking paradigm. DOS was still king on Japan's business desktops, and domestic PC shipments for the year (with the NEC 9800 series firmly in the lead) barely topped the 3 million mark.

In the quest to better meet the needs of our readers, Computing Japan has also evolved a lot. And it will further evolve in the next few months, in part because of the second milestone.

This issue of Computing Japan will be my last as editor-in-chief. It's been a great (often grueling, yet always gratifying) four years, but the time has come for me to move on to a new set of challenges. The decision to leave wasn't an easy one to make, but the magazine boasts a great creative and business staff, and I know that I'm leaving its future in capable hands.

The changes may not be apparent immediately, since I've already assigned several articles for the next couple of issues, and will assist the new editor-in-chief (whoever he or she may be) to smooth the transition as my schedule permits. But it's inevitable that a magazine will reflect the personality and interests of its editors, and especially of its editor-in-chief.

When Terrie hired me as editor, he said, "You won't get rich, but I'll make you famous." He was right (on both counts); but what he didn't tell me was that I'd gain so much satisfaction and industry insight, establish so many valuable contacts, and make so many close friends.

I'd like to thank everyone who has been involved in making Computing Japan a success -- the publisher, current and former staff, freelance writers, advertisers, and most of all you, the readers. I'll borrow my closing from Bob Hope and simply say: "Thanks for the memories."

WM. Auckerman