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This is a typical scene for a bookstore in Japan: in a rather narrow and compact space, there is a comparatively large number of people standing in a corner, often that of magazines or new books, intently reading publications at length. There is even a special term in Japanese for this practice,: "tachi-yomi" or "stand-reading". One may never expect chairs to sit down on, however, it is a common practice for bookstores, and is considered as a welcoming behaviour for people to read for free, as it is expected that such practices eventually lead to more purchases. Many stores on a quiet shopping street may even place a bookstand with popular new magazines outside the shop, so as to provide more space for customers to stand and read.
This unique service offering may related to the book-selling business in Japan. In short, bookstores reserve the right to return un-sold books back to the publisher. It is the publisher's responsibility to take care of books left over from sales, but a bookstore does not take the risk of keeping books which no body wants.
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