In a very un-Japanese public row, the thoroughly modern and new- style Ascii Corp lost four board members in April after they refused to continue to serve under company founder Kazuhiko Nishi, who laid the foundations for Microsoft Corp’s present success in Japan: Ascii is trying to persuade the four to return, but negotiations have reportedly broken down because they say it doesn’t make sense for them to return as long as Kay Nishi is president; the four include former managing director Fumita ka Kojima who led the publishing and entertainment division and Naoki Ogasawara, who headed public relations; they are expected to form a new publishing and games software firm.
