Otobank

What Otobank does

Otobank Inc. (株式会社オトバンク) is a Tokyo-based audio content company founded in 2004 that operates audiobook.jp, Japan's largest audiobook distribution platform, alongside a portfolio of adjacent audio-content, production, and accessibility services. The company produces tens of thousands of audiobook titles sourced through partnerships with 500+ publishers, and delivers them via native iOS/Android apps, the audiobook.jp website, and Apple App Store / Google Play, supported by an in-house recording studio (STUDIO OTOBANK) that handles casting, recording, audio direction, editing, and mastering. The audiobook.jp individual subscription plan is priced at ¥1,330/month with a 2-week free trial, while the audiobook.jp corporate plan is priced at ¥880/person/month with a 15,000+ title library and has been adopted by 130+ companies for employee training, welfare, and internal communications. The company also operates PitPa (branded podcast production, acquired August 2024), an in-house radio production service, audiobook and video production under STUDIO OTOBANK, game audio production, a Reading Accessibility Promotion Project supplying audiobooks to ~400 municipal libraries via TRC, and a healthcare deployment track record including Fujisawa Shonan Daiichi Hospital. Revenue streams span consumer and corporate subscriptions, single-title purchases, audiobook licensing royalties, professional production services, and government/healthcare channel distribution, with no public revenue or funding disclosure.

Name

Otobank

Legal name

株式会社オトバンク (Otobank Inc.)

Website

https://otobank.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Otobank operates audiobook.jp, Japan's largest audiobook distribution platform serving 3.2M consumer members and 130+ corporate customers, and produces audiobooks, podcasts, game audio, and video through in-house studios under its Reading Accessibility mission.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Audio Content / Audiobook Streaming

NAICS

Sound Recording Industries (5122), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Record Production and Distribution (51225), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiobook Retail & Subscription Platforms (Direct-to-Consumer) (MPAJAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audiobook Production & Studios (Narration, Recording, Editing, Mastering) (MPAJAIAB), Audiobook Distribution & Aggregation (To Retailers/Libraries) (MPAJAIAC), Audiobook Publishers (Trade & Consumer) (MPAJAIAA)

Keywords

• Audiobook distribution platform
• Digital audio content
• Audiobook production services
• Corporate audio streaming
• Branded podcast production

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

Revenue model

1. audiobook.jp 聴き放題プラン（個人向け）: 月額定額制の聴き逃し配信サービス。ユーザーは気に入った作品数無制限で再生できる。入会から2週間の無料お試し期間を提供。
2. audiobook.jp 単品購入（個人向け）: 作品ごとの個別購入。単行本書籍とおよそ同価格帯（1冊1,200円〜1,500円が中心）。ユーザーは欲しい作品だけを選んで購入。
3. audiobook.jp 法人版（法人向け聴き放題プラン）: 企业提供の社員向け聴き逃しプラン。登録人数に応じた月額澎大人。社員教育・福利厚生として活用され、法人折扣が適用される。2018年にサービスを更新し、2022年1月に法人版を開始。130社以上に導入。
4. 社内ラジオ制作・配信サービス: 企業向けの社内ラジオ番組制作・配信サービス。企画・収録・編集・配信までワンストップで提供。契約期間は3力月から。対象社員数や番組構成により 가격이 다름。
5. ブランデッドポッドキャスト制作（PitPa）: 企業・団体向けのブランディングポッドキャスト番組制作サービス。1600本以上のエピソード制作実績を持つPitPaの 사업을2024年に取得・統合。
6. 出版プロデュース・企業出版: 企業課題を戦略的ブックマーケティングで解決する出版サービス。出版社の協力のもと、書籍出版から販売促進まで一貫支援。
7. ゲーム音源制作: 日本語声優を用いたゲーム音声制作サービス。キャスティングから収録、音声納品までワンストップ提供。STUDIO OTOBANKとして実施。
8. 動画/音源制作: 企画・撮影・編集をすべて社内完結で行うCM・SNS動画・音源制作サービス。短納期での納品が可能。
9. オーディオブック書籍・出版物的版权收入: 数万点のオーディオブック作品を制作・配信。出版社との版権契約に基づき、作品配信による収益を上げる。500社以上の出版社と提携。

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Otobank operates audiobook.jp, Japan's largest audiobook distribution platform, producing and streaming tens of thousands of audiobook titles to individual subscribers and corporate clients via proprietary iOS/Android apps and web. Beyond distribution, the company sells audiobook production services, branded podcast production (PitPa), corporate in-house radio content, game audio production, and video/audio production through its in-house STUDIO OTOBANK, while also running a Reading Accessibility Promotion Project that supplies audiobooks to public libraries, schools, and hospitals.

Product overview

Otobank operates a multi-product audio content platform centered on audiobook.jp, Japan's largest audiobook distribution service. The core offering is audiobook.jp (individual and corporate plans), supplemented by in-house radio services, branded podcast production (PitPa), and production services for games and video/audio content. The company maintains audiobook production as a core competency, having produced content for over 20 years. Supporting initiatives include the Reading Accessibility Promotion Project, 新刊JP book media, the audiobook awards, and research publications (オーディオブック白書). The portfolio spans consumer, enterprise, and institutional segments with distribution to libraries and healthcare facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FeBe: Original audiobook platform name (2006-2018), Japan's first audiobook distribution service
• audiobook.jp
• audiobook.jp 法人版
• 社内ラジオ
• PitPa
• 新刊JP
• STUDIO OTOBANK
• 読書バリアフリー推進プロジェクト
• みいみ
• オーディオブック大賞
• オーディオブックの日
• 耳活 Walking/耳活 Fitness

Products and services

• audiobook.jp (individual subscription and single-title purchase) Japan's largest audiobook distribution platform offering both individual monthly subscription (聴き放題プラン) and per-title purchases. Provides access to tens of thousands of audiobook titles including business books, literature, classics, and rakugo via iOS/Android apps and the web. Membership exceeded 3.2 million in 2025.
• audiobook.jp 法人版 (corporate audiobook subscription) Corporate audiobook subscription plan enabling employee training and welfare benefits. Offers 15,000+ business and self-improvement titles for unlimited listening, billed per registered user per month (月額880円/人～). Features organization-specific bookmarklists and custom content curation. Adopted by 130+ companies in Japan.
• 社内ラジオ (In-house Radio) Corporate voice content delivery service enabling companies to distribute original audio content internally through the secure audiobook.jp platform. Includes professional production (planning, recording, editing, delivery) and usage analytics reporting for HR and internal communications teams.
• PitPa (branded podcast production) Branded podcast production service for corporate marketing. Otobank has produced over 1,600 podcast episodes, leveraging extensive expertise to support corporate content production. Includes needs analysis, program planning, and end-to-end production for brand awareness and fan engagement.
• 出版プロデュース・企業出版 (Publishing Produce / Enterprise Publishing) Strategic book publishing consulting and corporate publishing services. Provides comprehensive support from publishing to sales promotion, helping companies solve business challenges through strategic book marketing in partnership with trusted publishers.
• ゲーム音源制作 (Game Audio Production, STUDIO OTOBANK) Game audio production service using Japanese voice actors under STUDIO OTOBANK. Provides one-stop service from casting to delivery, including Japanese translation, project management, voice direction, audio editing, and platform-specific mastering.
• 動画/音源制作 (Video and Audio Production, STUDIO OTOBANK) Video and audio production service under STUDIO OTOBANK. Handles planning, filming, and editing entirely in-house for CM, social media videos, and audio production with short turnaround. Leverages audiobook production expertise for quality audio in video content.

Quantifiable outcome

• audiobook.jp 会员数2022年比13倍成長（250万人→320万人）
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• リゾートバイトダイブminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026旅游资源地で働きながらスキルアップしたい方向けの協赞プログラム。audiobook.jp 聴き逃跑し 初回30日間免费を提供。観光× аудиокниги の異業種マーケティング連携。
• Well-being パートナーシップ参加企業（7社）minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025オトバンクの読書バリアフリー推進活動への参加企業群。現時点で7社（株式会社日本デザイン、BNIジャパン、株式会社 オオスミ、スフィア律师事务所、中商不動産株式会社、株式会社 La torche、株式会社 誠進堂）。来年度中に20社参画目指す。
• 株式会社図書館流通センター（TRC）coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024国内導入実績No.1の電子图书馆サービス「LibrariE＆TRC-DL」にaudiobook.jpのオーディオブックを提供開始。全国約400自治体の图书馆（約6,980万人可以利用）で利用可能に。読書バリアフリー法推进に向けた核心的パートナー。
• ダイナースクラブ（クレディセゾン）minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2024audiobook.jp初のクレジットカード連動サービスとしてダイナースクラブカード会员向けに аудиокниги 聴き逃跑しプラン初回60日免费・每月3,000ポイント進呈の联谊サービスを提供（2026年4月～）。
• 毎日新聞majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024STUDIO OTOBANKが毎日新聞のポッドキャスト番組の立上げ・企画・制作を担当。「世の中の『いま』を記者が読み解く」などを制作。
• 大阪府柏原市coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2023全国初となる自治体との包括連携協定を締結。オーディオブックを活用した健康づくりと地域活性化を推進。「オーディオブックシティ」としての街づくりを目指す。関西福祉科学大学との共同研究実績を背景に、alore dementia予防等の健康施策にも展開。
• 一般ournée同友会 藤沢湘南台病院majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022audiobook.jp 法人版を医療機関に初導入。入院患者のQOL向上・不安やストレス軽減・リラックス为目的に、タブレット4台で15,000点以上のオーディオブックを聴き逃跑し提供。医療機関へのオーディオブック導入の先駆的事例。
• 紀伊國屋書店majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2022大学图书馆等へのオーディオブック提供に関する事業提携。オトバンクのオーディオブック作品を取材 через 紀伊國屋書店の手配で全国配本。出版文化の振興に貢献。
• 丸善雄松堂majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2022全国のだいがく图书馆へのオーディオブック販売を開始。全国のだいがく library網を活用したオーディオブック普及。
• 京セラコミュニケーションシステム（KCCS）majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2021公共图书馆向け аудиокниги 配信サービスの共同展開。KCCSの「オーディオブック配信サービス」を通じて文、京池、日進市、大津市などの图书馆にオーディオブックを提供。読書バリアフリー法対応の一躍。
• 関西福祉科学大学（重森健太教授）coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021オーディオブックと運動のデュアルタスクに従来の計算課題と同等の脳血流活性作用があることを共同研究で実証（日本早期認知症学会発表）。65歳以上の要支援高齢者を対象に研究を実施し、オーディオブックの新たな学術的価値を確立した。
• 社会医療法人生長会 ベルピアノ病院coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021関西福祉科学大学との共同研究のパートナーとして参加。通所リハビリテーション施設でのデュアルタスク研究において audio×運動の実証を実施。 研究成果は保健医療学雑誌にも論文掲載。
• 東京ガスminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019共同開発した絵本読み聞かせアプリ「みいみ」を提供。第2回日本子育て支援大賞2021・BabyTech Award Japan 2021アカチャンホンポ賞を受賞。

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Spotify: Global audio streaming leader expanding into audiobooks. Overlaps with Otobank on consumer audio listening behavior and podcast distribution (adjacent to Otobank's PitPa business), but operates a much broader music-first platform.
• Apple Books: Apple's ecosystem-wide audiobook and e-book platform with Japanese catalog support. Competes indirectly via iOS distribution and bundled content, but is part of Apple's broader hardware/services portfolio.
• Rakuten Kobo: Japan-headquartered digital reading platform with audiobook and e-book catalog. Overlaps with Otobank on consumer audiobook retail, but is part of the broader Rakuten ecosystem rather than audiobook-specialized.
• LINE Digital Frontier: Japanese digital content subsidiary of LY Corporation (LINE/Z Holdings) operating manga, music, and audio verticals. Comparable on consumer digital content distribution in Japan, though audiobook is not its primary focus.

Emerging players

• Earhythm: Japanese audiobook subscription platform focused on business and self-development content. Direct niche overlap with audiobook.jp's business book category, with a smaller and more specialized catalog.

Others

• NHK Educational / Chiba TV Audiobook Initiatives: Public-sector audiobook and accessibility initiatives in Japan. Comparable as adjacent ecosystem participants in Japanese reading accessibility and public-library audiobook distribution, but not commercial competitors.

Direct peers

• Storytel: Swedish audiobook and e-book subscription service that expanded into Japan. Closely comparable subscription model, multi-territory audiobook catalog, and B2B Storytel Business offering for corporate learning.
• BookWalker: Japanese digital reading platform operated by Kadokawa, distributing e-books and audiobooks domestically. Overlaps with audiobook.jp on consumer audiobook distribution and Japanese-language catalog aggregation.
• Amazon Audible: Global leader in audiobook subscription with an established Japanese presence via the same App Store/Google Play channels. Directly competes with audiobook.jp on consumer subscription, catalog depth, and exclusive content spend.

Regional players

• NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation): Public broadcaster that distributes spoken-word and audio content to Japanese audiences including on accessible platforms. Comparable on Japanese-language spoken-word audio distribution and public-sector content partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/otobank
• Facebookfacebook.com/OTOBANK.Inc

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors5 records

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 Otobank