Hi guys. I've been thinking about posting about this for a while now. In 2006 I finished a master's degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures at KU (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!). My somewhat unorthodox thesis topic was the Japanese game center industry. Most of my research was about the development of the industry, and some of the cultural aspects of Japan that have enabled game centers to survive there while American arcades have withered and died.
I had a lot of disbelieving looks when I told people I thought I could write 100 pages about the topic, but I was blessed with a great thesis advisor (the author of "Godzilla on My Mind") who is just as fanatical about Japanese pop culture as I am, who encouraged me to go for it. It was a really enjoyable experience to research and read the history and perspective on arcades in Japan (phenomenal Japanese practice, too).
Anyway, if anyone here is interested in reading my work, I'd be happy to share it. Just PM me and I can send a PDF. I'd welcome feedback from people who might know more about arcade history, both American and Japanese, than I do. I've had contact from on-demand ("vanity") publishers interested in putting it out there, but haven't taken anyone up on it. Maybe I should keep refining it - a lot can change in two years!
Thanks!
Eric