What Shoeisha does

Shoeisha Co., Ltd. (株式会社翔泳社) is a Tokyo-headquartered, privately held Japanese publishing and professional media company founded in 1985 and operating as the core publishing subsidiary of the SE H&I Group. The company's primary business is publishing books across five categories — IT/technology, business/management, creative/design, certification exam preparation, and lifestyle/hobby — distributed in physical, e-book, PDF, print-on-demand, and audiobook formats through its proprietary SEshop.com storefront, major national bookstore chains (Kinokuniya, Maruzen, Junkudo), and all leading Japanese e-book platforms (Amazon Kindle, Rakuten Kobo, Yodobashi, Google Play, honto, BookLive!). The active catalog exceeds 1,900 titles, anchored by long-selling franchises such as the EXAMPRESS certification series (12M+ cumulative copies) and translations of global management works including 'Business Model Generation' and Clayton Christensen's 'The Innovator's Dilemma'.

Beyond book publishing, Shoeisha operates a layered ecosystem of 10+ owned professional web media properties — CodeZine (software development), MarkeZine (marketing), EnterpriseZine (enterprise IT), ECzine (e-commerce), Biz/Zine (innovation/business), HRzine (HR), SalesZine (sales), ProductZine (product management), and AIdiver (AI) — each generating advertising revenue (native articles, email, banner, lead-gen) and serving as the demand-generation engine for the book business. The third pillar is events: Shoeisha runs Japan's largest annual IT developer conference Developers Summit (~3,000+ attendees, running since 2003), MarkeZine Day (60+ sessions), and an expanding portfolio of vertical-specific conferences including BtoB Synergy FORUM, HRzine Day, ProductZine Day, EnterpriseZine Day, Biz/Zine Day, AX Day, Security Online Day, and Data Tech, monetized through B2B sponsorship packages.

The integrated stack is unified by SHOEISHA iD, a cross-service member authentication system linking SEshop, the web media network, and event registration, enabling first-party audience data and recurring engagement. GTM combines direct e-commerce, bookstore distribution, owned media demand generation, free annual events as lead-gen, and a B2B advertising sales force. Customer segments span IT engineers, marketing/sales professionals, enterprise IT leaders, business strategists, HR professionals, certification candidates, creative professionals, and general lifestyle consumers — a horizontal segmentation across professional personas rather than a single-vertical focus. Revenue is generated through one-time book purchases, advertising, event sponsorships, licensing/rights, and corporate/educational bulk sales. The company is led by President and Representative Director Usui Kaoru (appointed April 2025) and employs 101–250 staff.

Name

Shoeisha

Legal name

株式会社翔泳社

Website

https://shoeisha.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Shoeisha is a Tokyo-based Japanese publishing company (founded 1985) that publishes books across IT, business, and creative categories and operates 10+ professional web media properties and recurring annual conferences, serving IT engineers, marketers, business leaders, and certification candidates in Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Book Publishing (Physical and Digital): Shoeisha publishes books across IT/technology, business/management, creative/design, certification exam prep, and lifestyle/hobby categories. Revenue is generated through sales of physical books via bookstores and online retailers, as well as e-book and PDF digital editions via SEshop and third-party platforms (Amazon, Rakuten). The company publishes approximately 1,900+ active titles.
2. E-Commerce (SEshop Direct Sales): The company's proprietary SEshop.com e-commerce platform sells books and e-books directly to consumers, generating per-transaction revenue with margin from direct sales. Membership points and promotional campaigns (e.g., 50% point redemption campaigns, first-purchase bonuses) are used to drive repeat purchases.
3. Web Media Advertising: Shoeisha operates 10+ professional web media properties (CodeZine, MarkeZine, EnterpriseZine, Biz/Zine, HRzine, SalesZine, ProductZine, AIdiver, ECzine) that sell advertising including native articles (タイアップ記事), email ads, banner ads, and lead-generation placements to B2B advertisers seeking IT, marketing, and business professional audiences.
4. Event Sponsorship and Conferences: The company organizes and hosts major professional conferences (Developers Summit, MarkeZine Day, EnterpriseZine Day, BtoB Synergy FORUM, HRzine Day, ProductZine Day, AX Day) and sells sponsorship packages to B2B companies seeking to reach event attendees. Events are free to attend with pre-registration, generating revenue through sponsor and exhibitor fees.
5. Licensing and Rights: Shoeisha licenses publishing rights for translated editions, handles author copyright management, and provides book cover image usage permissions. The company also manages book-related permissions including video production and adaptation rights.
6. Corporate and Educational Sales: Bulk sales to corporations for employee training and to educational institutions, as well as corporate licensing arrangements for Sho eisha's published content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Shoeisha is a Tokyo-based publishing company that produces and sells physical books, e-books, and PDF editions across IT/technology, business/management, creative/design, certification exam preparation, and lifestyle categories. The company also operates a network of 10+ professional web media properties (CodeZine, MarkeZine, EnterpriseZine, etc.) targeting IT engineers, marketers, and business professionals, and hosts major annual industry conferences such as Developers Summit and MarkeZine Day.

Product overview

Shoeisha (翔泳社) is a Tokyo-based publisher operating a multi-platform publishing and media business. The company publishes books and e-books across categories including IT/computing, creative/design, qualification/exams, business, wellness, and lifestyle. Its publishing portfolio includes several notable book series: the EXAMPRESS qualification series (12.2M+ cumulative copies), the Living Illustration Series (暮らしの写真集, 250K+ copies, 7 years), and the ILLUSTRATION MAKING & VISUAL BOOK artist retrospective series. The company also operates a network of 10 professional web media channels (CodeZine, MarkeZine, EnterpriseZine, ECzine, Biz/Zine, HRzine, SalesZine, ProductZine, AIdiver, and SEshop) covering software development, marketing, enterprise IT, e-commerce, business innovation, HR, sales, product management, and AI. In addition to publishing and media, Shoeisha organizes numerous annual events including Developers Summit (Japan's largest IT developer conference), MarkeZine Day, BtoB Synergy FORUM, and sector-specific events (ProductZine Day, EnterpriseZine Day, HRzine Day, Biz/Zine Day, Developers Boost, Security Online Day, Data Tech, AX Day). The company provides e-book and audio distribution through SEshop and SEBook, and offers an integrated member account system (SHOEISHA iD) for cross-platform access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CodeZine (コードジン) Professional web media focused on software development, targeting developers and IT engineers. Publishes articles, tutorials, and news about programming, development tools, and technology trends.
• MarkeZine (マーケジン) Marketing-focused professional web media covering digital marketing, branding, e-commerce, and sales. Serves marketers, PR professionals, and e-commerce operators.
• EnterpriseZine (エンタープライズジン) IT leadership and business growth-oriented professional web media covering enterprise IT, DX, data technology, and information security.
• ECzine (イーシージン) E-commerce and marketing-focused web media covering digital commerce strategies, EC operations, and online retail trends.
• Biz/Zine (ビズジン) Web media for next-generation leaders focused on digital business and management transformation, covering innovation and business development.
• HRzine (エイチアールジン) Human resources-focused web media covering HR technology, talent development, and organizational growth strategies for HR and general affairs professionals.
• SalesZine (セールスジン) Sales and technology-focused web media supporting sales organizations with technology-driven insights, targeting salespeople and sales managers.
• ProductZine (プロダクトジン) Product management-focused web media supporting product managers and product growth, covering product strategy and product development practices.
• AIdiver (エーアイダイバー) AI-focused practice-oriented web media for AI leaders, covering AI strategy, implementation, and AI-driven business transformation.
• SEshop (翔泳社 直販サイト) Official direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform for purchasing Shoeisha's books, e-books, and audiobooks. Offers PDF versions, member points, and campaign discounts.
• SE Book (翔泳社の本) Comprehensive e-book distribution platform offering digital versions of Shoeisha's printed books across categories including IT, business, design, and lifestyle.
• Developers Summit (デブサミ) Japan's largest-scale annual IT conference for software developers, organized by Shoeisha/CodeZine. Features multiple tracks covering architecture, development processes, cloud, mobile, and web technologies.
• MarkeZine Day Marketing-focused annual event organized by MarkeZine, covering advertising, marketing, and digital strategy trends with over 60 sessions. Free admission with pre-registration.
• BtoB Synergy FORUM Annual B2B business conference jointly organized by MarkeZine and SalesZine, focused on marketing, sales, and technology strategies for B2B business leaders.
• ProductZine Day Event focused on product management and product growth, supporting product managers and organizations building digital products.
• EnterpriseZine Day IT department and technology-focused event organized by EnterpriseZine, addressing IT strategy, DX, and cybersecurity for IT leaders.
• HRzine Day HR and back-office focused event organized by HRzine, addressing HR challenges and solutions for modern organizations.
• Biz/Zine Day Business and management strategy event organized by Biz/Zine, targeted at management and business development executives.
• Developers Boost Event for engineers aged 30 and under who can both present and attend, focused on career development and skills for young engineers.
• AX Day AI transformation (AX) acceleration event organized by AIdiver, targeting AI leaders and featuring AI implementation strategies.
• EXAMPRESS Series Qualification and exam preparation book series from Shoeisha, with cumulative issuance exceeding 12.2 million copies. Covers IT certifications (MOS, .com Master), business qualifications, and professional licensing exams.
• Living Illustration Series (暮らしの図鑑) Lifestyle reference book series with cumulative issuance exceeding 250,000 copies over 7 years, covering topics including bento, breakfast, Ayurveda, and everyday living topics through illustration-based practical guides.
• ILLUSTRATION MAKING & VISUAL BOOK Series Artist retrospective book series featuring top illustrators, combining artwork collections, making-of content, and sketch books. Each volume spotlights a single artist with behind-the-scenes process documentation.
• SHOEISHA iD Unified member account system (formerly SE Membership) providing single sign-on access across SEBook, SEShop, CodeZine, MarkeZine, EnterpriseZine, and other Shoeisha web media and e-commerce services.

Quantifiable outcome

• EXAMPRESS certification series achieved 12 million+ cumulative copies issued
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• NTT Learning Systems (NTTLS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 December 2011Shoeisha provided its EXAMPRESS series content (MOS textbooks and .com Master textbooks) to NTTLS's Manavino learning content marketplace for distribution as e-books on smartphones and tablets, expanding reach to mobile learners.
• ピーシーアシスト (PC Assist / Win School)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2011Co-hosted the 'HTML5 1Day Workshop' with PC Assist at Win School venues in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Osaka. Shoeisha provided textbook materials from its '10日でおぼえる' series as course materials.
• モバイル・コンテンツ・フォーラム (MCF - Mobile Content Forum)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2011Co-organized the mobidec mobile business conference annually with MCF. mobidec is a flagship mobile business conference in Japan that Shoeisha co-hosted from 2001 to at least 2011.
• 名古屋教育ソリューションズ (Nagoya Education Solutions)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2011Partnered with Shoeisha and Logosware in a joint research project with Nagoya University of Nutrition to study social reading applications in education. Nagoya Education Solutions coordinated research support with Professor Hasegawa Satoshi.
• 名古屋文理大学 (Nagoya University of Nutrition / Nagoya Bunri University)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2011Conducted social reading research with Shoeisha's digitized IT books and Logosware's platform, targeting first-year students equipped with iPads for educational IT usage.
• SE H&I (SE H&I株式会社)coreOthersSE H&I is a group company within the SE H&I Group, which Shoeisha is a part of. The group focuses on computer technology publishing and media, with Shoeisha as the core operating company.
• 翔泳社アカデミー (Shoeisha Academy)minorOthersShoeisha Academy is a group company providing educational services aligned with Shoeisha's publishing mission.
• SEプラス (SE Plus)minorOthersSE Plus is a group company providing additional services complementary to Shoeisha's publishing and media operations.
• Microsoft Japan (日本微软)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft Japan co-sponsored the Evangelist Training Course events organized by Shoeisha's EnterpriseZine, providing venue facilities at Microsoft Tokyo, Kyushu, and Kansai offices.
• 日本工学院専門学校 (Nihon Kogei College)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2011, Shoeisha has collaborated with Nihon Kogei College IT Course for the Developers Summit conference, with students participating in event operations as extracurricular activities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• O'Reilly Media: Global leader in technical book publishing with the iconic animal-covered series, an O'Reilly learning platform, and the O'Reilly Superstream conference series. The international analog to Shoeisha's IT book publishing + events + learning ecosystem.
• ASCII (Kadokawa ASCII Research Institute): Historic Japanese IT publisher (founded 1977) now part of Kadokawa, operating ASCII.jp web media and producing books on programming, AI, and digital technology. Direct peer to Shoeisha in the Japanese IT publishing and web media space.
• ITmedia: Japan's largest IT news and media platform owned by ITmedia Inc. (a subsidiary of Nikkei BP), covering enterprise IT, development, and digital business. Overlaps with Shoeisha's CodeZine and EnterpriseZine in serving Japan's developer and IT leader audiences.
• Packt Publishing: Technical book publisher focused on programming, data science, AI, and IT certification prep, with subscription-based learning platform (Packt Library). Comparable in IT certification and emerging-technology book categories to Shoeisha's EXAMPRESS and Python programming lines.
• Manning Publications: Independent publisher of technical books covering programming, data, and software development, with early-access digital book program (Manning Early Access Program) and online learning platform. Closely comparable mid-sized technical publisher with multi-format distribution.
• Impress Corporation: Japanese publisher specializing in IT, web technology, and design books (particularly DigitalCatapult series), with affiliated web media properties and events. Direct competitor in IT publishing category and shares Shoeisha's books + digital media structure.
• Nikkei BP (Nikkei Business Publications): Japan's leading IT, business, and economics publisher with web media properties (Nikkei xTECH, ITmedia), books, and major events (Nikkei xTECH Conference). Closest comparable to Shoeisha in the Japanese IT/business publishing + media + events three-pillar model.

Broad incumbents

• TechTarget: Global B2B technology media company operating 200+ niche technology websites plus enterprise events (TechTarget conferences). Comparable in B2B advertising-supported tech media + events model at scale, though primarily English-language and US-focused.
• Kadokawa Corporation: Major Japanese publishing and media conglomerate spanning books, manga, web media (KADOKAWA Connected), and large-scale events (Dengeki Game Festival). Significantly larger incumbent with overlapping book + web media + events pillars across multiple verticals.
• Gakken Holdings: Major Japanese educational publisher with books, magazines, learning services, and educational publishing across age groups. Larger, more diversified incumbent in Japanese publishing that overlaps with Shoeisha's lifestyle and certification categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shoeisha
• Facebookfacebook.com/shoeisha
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shoeisha

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shoeisha