Suggestions for a beginner-level Go book in Japanese language welcomed.
I'm sure that there are many thousands available, but which can you recommend and why?

Many thanks

Be a bit more specific in what you mean by a beginner-level go book. Give a rough level, or do you mean someone who just learned the game? In theory a beginner is any kyu level, Japanese consider 1d as someone who has learned the basics, with that in mind, anything under 1d can be called a beginner. The most 'beginner' Japanese book I have is 死活の基本 vol. 1 and 2. (Here is a link: http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%AD%BB%E6%B4 ... 895&sr=8-1, vol 2 link: http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%AD%BB%E6%B4 ... gy_b_img_b)

The 2 volumes are very thorough. The first volume starts with explanations of ko, seki, eyes... then goes into problems (some basic common shapes), and the second volume continues on from the first with more problems. All answers are clear with diagrams and text.

Thank you for these suggestions. Actually I'm looking for a book for a total beginner. Perhaps your suggestions are for somebody who already has a grasp of the basics?

The first volume starts off by explaining the very basic concepts of the game: what liberties are, how if a stone has no liberties it is taken off, what a ko is... and so on. I would say this is as basic as it gets if you know what GO is. If you are looking for a complete introduction to the game: みんなの囲碁入門―よくわかるすぐ打てる

Excellent - thank you