If one considers the Birds of Japan by the Wild Bird Society of Japan,
certainly cross-referencing guides are to be sought to use with it as well,
and no, it is not in the league of a Sibley or even Nat'l Geo for N Am
birds. It may be chore to find an available copy of that little book, too.
But that said I feel like the Birds of Japan book by the Wild Bird Society
is a pretty good book, given how old it is (1978 published), and a very
mobile and sturdy little book (mine did a yeoman's service on many Russian
Far East trips over the '90s and is very well-worn but still intact). The
latest McKinnon et al guide to Birds of China (2000) can be used as a
cross-reference, although it has its detractors and I've noted a few errors
in the passerines narratives, especially warblers. Still, it presents in
color plates a number of birds not elsewhere represented in certain
plumages, so it can be very useful. If you find something that seems out of
place or otherwise noteworthy, you should also consider running down one of
the family guides as well, where more specialized information should be
available. For waterbirds, the Waterbirds of East Asia (Bhurat if memory
serves) seems like a good little book.

Scott Atkinson
Lake Stevens
mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com