." >>> donald keene has been a leading figure in the study of japan's literature for the past 70 years. his love affair with the country began when he came across a book on classical japanese literature in a new york book store. keene has since devoted his life to japan's culture. a museum and research center dedicated to his work opened last december in niigata prefecture. nhk reports. >> reporter: the donald keene center is more than just a museum of his life and works, it's also intended as a center for studying the field of japanese literature. the main hall holds an exhibit on nine individuals who played pivotal roles on keene's development. visitors can also see his library, which was brought over from new york and reconstructed. to promote the study of japanese literature, keene has do nighted 2,500 books, records, and artifacts to be housed in the room. for over 50 years, keene was a professor in columbia university in new york, inspiring students with a passion in his field. over a period of 25 years, he wrote his 18-volume work, a history of japanese literature. it's now used