Hello, and welcome to our blog! Today, we’re going to talk about “Shogakukan,” a name that’s synonymous with the Japanese publishing industry. It’s much more than just a publisher, and we’d love for you to discover its history, unique traits, and strong presence in the industry.

Shogakukan’s history began in 1922. Initially, it was established as a publisher focused on educational books, particularly learning magazines for elementary school students. As its name “Shogakukan” suggests, it started with educational materials for young students. However, Shogakukan expanded beyond educational books into literature, manga, and various other genres, evolving into a comprehensive publisher.

Shogakukan is headquartered in Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, which serves as the hub of the publishing world’s “Hitotsubashi Group.” This group includes related companies such as Shueisha, with Shogakukan at its core. Interestingly, Shueisha was founded in 1926 as the entertainment magazine division of Shogakukan. Despite being separate companies, they maintain a cooperative relationship, collaborating on anime production and licensing, rather than competing. This industry synergy is one of Shogakukan’s strengths.

Shogakukan’s defining feature is its diversity of genres. In manga, it has produced nationally beloved works like “Doraemon” and “Detective Conan”. At the same time, it has focused on literature and educational books, catering to a wide audience from children to adults. This balance is key to Shogakukan’s continuous evolution throughout its long history.

The publishing industry has undergone dramatic changes over time. For instance, Shogakukan’s long-standing grade-specific learning magazines faced closures due to factors like the publishing recession, declining birth rates, and the diversification of children’s interests. However, Shogakukan has never given up. The ongoing publication of “Shogaku Ichinensei” as a monthly magazine is a testament to its adaptability and its spirit of continuous challenge, which are part of Shogakukan’s DNA.

We’ve outlined Shogakukan’s appeal, but at its core lies an attitude of “not fearing change in order to meet readers’ needs.” From education to entertainment, its commitment to challenging diverse genres ensures that Shogakukan will continue to lead the publishing industry and remain in the spotlight.