The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Japan (ABAJ) was established in November 1964 by ten major antiquarian booksellers of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. This was a time when Japan was experiencing an unprecedented economic growth and Japanese collectors, scholars, and curators were avidly selling and purchasing rare material domestically and internationally. The ABAJ was founded with the aim of developing the Japanese antiquarian book trade to meet an increasingly global age. In 1965, at the recommendation of Mr. Menno Hertzberger of Amsterdam and Mr. Glen Dawson of Los Angeles, the ABAJ became a member organization of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). Since then, the ABAJ has grown with the motto of ILAB. "AMOR LIBRORUM NOS UNIT" to include 27 members.
I am Ichiro Kitazawa, the owner of the Kitazawa Bookstore, and I have been appointed Chairman of ABAJ.
Taking over from Mr. Takagi, the former chairman of Konando Bookstore, I will fulfill my responsibilities for the next two years. I look forward to your continued support.
We are aware that the antiquarian book industry faces difficult times amidst the increasingly turbulent global situation. However, it is in times such as these that I would like to reunite all of our members and make a fresh start for a better future for all of us.
I sincerely appreciate your support and involvement.
Ichiro Kitazawa
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