Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica)

I have 4 Japanese Aralia I planted last summer that appeared to never go to sleep (or die) like I thought they would. I thought they would be annual in Reno NV (Zone 7A) but to my happy surprise there appears to be new little 'nubs' popping up at the base of the stalks. My question (to anyone who can help me): how do you 'prune' Japanese Aralia? Do you remove all the large leaves to the main stalk? Some of the leave appear to have life in them still (burned a bit at the edges) but they look somewhat unsightly.

Thanks for any help!

Here's a discussion at Gardenweb
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/calif/msg0216480815650.html
And here's another
http://www.growsonyou.com/question/show/5410-how-and-when-to-prune-a-fatsia

Thanks, 'doss!'

You're welcome. HOpe that your aralia is pretty when it's pruned.

Well, I just got done pruning, so we'll see.. anyway, it can't hurt getting rid of the dead stuff. Hopefully, it will give the plants a reason to explode!