Hokkaido Shimbun Press

What Hokkaido Shimbun Press does

Hokkaido Shimbun Press (株式会社北海道新聞社) is a privately held regional newspaper publisher headquartered in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. It traces its predecessor newspapers to 1887 and was formally established under its current name on November 1, 1942, reaching its 30,000th-issue milestone in 2026. The company publishes the Hokkaido Shimbun morning and evening editions with twelve sub-prefecture print editions covering all of Hokkaido, and operates the Hokkaido Shimbun Digital platform for online and mobile news consumption.

The company's product portfolio extends well beyond news into education, e-commerce, and community events. Core technology is the Doshin ID (道新ID) unified authentication platform, which cross-sells a digital news subscription, the Manabell K-12 educational platform (63,800 JPY/year per school), the Manavi short-form video lessons, the Manabun Digital children's newspaper, the Doshin DB 35-year article archive (from July 1988), the Doshin Photo Service (2L to A3-nobi prints), the My Clip custom-framed article service, the Doshin Marche e-commerce marketplace for Hokkaido specialty foods, and the Bunbun Club membership program with roughly 1,100 affiliated Hokkaido merchants as of January 2026 (down from approximately 2,000 historically). The wholly-owned subsidiary Doshin Access Co., Ltd. handles photo production and B2B copyright licensing.

Revenue is generated through six streams: recurring print and digital news subscriptions (paper courses, digital-only, and viewer courses with monthly or annual billing), educational product contracts sold direct to schools via the Mirai Education Promotion Office, transactional e-commerce sales, unit-priced photo/print/archive services, event organization and sponsorship (Saromako 100km Ultramarathon, Hokkaido Marathon, women's golf, health seminars, shogi title tournaments), and the Bunbun Club membership ecosystem. National and international news comes through a content-supply partnership with Kyodo News Agency. The go-to-market is sales-led, with direct field sales through the Reader Center for subscribers, direct sales for school contracts, and self-service digital onboarding for the Viewer Course and free Doshin ID tier (5 premium articles per month).

Name

Hokkaido Shimbun Press

Legal name

株式会社北海道新聞社

Website

https://hokkaido-np.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Hokkaido Shimbun Press is a privately held regional newspaper publisher in Sapporo, Japan, producing the Hokkaido Shimbun in print and digital, plus education (Manabell), e-commerce, photo services, and community events primarily for Hokkaido consumers and K-12 schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sapporo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Newspaper Subscriptions (Print): Core print newspaper (北海道新聞) subscription revenue. Multiple subscription tiers: 紙面コース (paper with digital access), デジタルコース (digital-only, full access), ビューアーコース (digital access without newspaper subscription, for non-Hokkaido residents). Subscriptions are billed monthly or annually.
2. Digital Content Subscriptions: Premium digital-only subscriptions with tiered access. Free members receive 5 free premium articles per month; 紙面コース and デジタルコース subscribers get full digital access. Premium video content (プレミアム動画) and 記者解説動画 (reporter commentary videos) are subscription-gated.
3. E-commerce (どうしんマルシェ / 北海道新聞通販ショップ): Online marketplace selling Hokkaido specialty foods, local products, books published by the company, newspaper back issues, character goods (ぶんちゃん), and merchandise. Operates on a transactional model with per-product sales.
4. Educational Products and Services: Sales of どうしん まなbell digital educational platform (annual school contracts, 63,800 JPY/year base), まなvi video lessons (600 JPY/video), school visit classes (出前授業) with newspaper materials at 40 JPY/student, and NIE educational programs.
5. Photo and Print Services: Sale of newspaper photos (道新写真サービス, 2L to A3 sizes), commemorative newspaper prints (記念日新聞, from 510 JPY/surface), custom framed articles (マイ・クリップ, 5,600-33,000 JPY), and newspaper database access (どうしんDB, from 550 JPY/month).
6. Event Sponsorships and Sports: Revenue from organizing/co-organizing events including the サロマ湖100キロウルトラマラソン (co-organized with Hokkaido Athletics Association), ミネベアミツミレディス北海道新聞カップ (golf tournament), 北海道マラソン2026, and 道新健康セミナー. Also co-organizes/governs the 王位戦・天元戦・女流王位戦 (shogi tournaments).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hokkaido Shimbun Press publishes the Hokkaido Shimbun — Hokkaido's leading regional daily — in print (morning and evening editions) and via the Hokkaido Shimbun Digital subscription news platform. Beyond news, it sells K-12 educational products (Manabell, Manavi video lessons, Manabun Digital children's newspaper), operates an article database (Doshin DB), photo/commemorative print services, an e-commerce marketplace (Doshin Marche), a member loyalty program (Bunbun Club), podcasts, and organizes/sponsors regional sporting events.

Product overview

Hokkaido Shimbun Press operates as a diversified media conglomerate offering a platform-plus-services architecture centered on its flagship newspaper brand. The core product is 北海道新聞デジタル (Hokkaido Shimbun Digital), a digital news platform supported by 道新ID, a unified authentication system that connects multiple service modules. The company has developed an extensive educational product suite including どうしん まなbell (a comprehensive K-12 digital teaching material with article database, news reader, and newspaper creation tools), まなvi (5-minute video lessons aligned with approved textbooks), and まなぶんデジタル (children's newspaper web version with furigana support). Supporting services include 道新写真サービス (photo sales), マイ・クリップ (custom-framed article photos), どうしん記念日新聞 (commemorative newspaper reprints), 電子縮刷版 DVD (DVD archive with keyword search), and 道新BIZ (business news tier). E-commerce operations encompass 北海道新聞不通話ショップ selling books, back issues, local products, and character merchandise, while 道新ぶんぶんクラブ provides a membership rewards program. The company also publishes 道新スポーツ (sports coverage), operates 道新 Podcast (audio content), and organizes events like 北海道マラソン. Educational outreach includes 出前授業 (school visit programs) covering media literacy themes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 道新BIZ: Business news section and premium content focused on business and economy
• 道新スポーツ (Doshin Sports)
• どうしん まなbell
• まなぶんデジタル (Manabun Digital)
• まなvi
• 道新ぶんぶんクラブ
• 道新写真サービス
• 道新マルシェ
• どうしんDB

Products and services

• Hokkaido Shimbun Newspaper (Print Subscription) (北海道新聞 紙面コース) Print subscription to Hokkaido's leading regional daily newspaper, delivered to households across Hokkaido. Includes bundled digital access (paper course). 12 regional editions available (Sapporo, Ishikari, Otaru/Yoichi, Sorachi, Tomakomai/Hidaka, Muroran/Iburi, Hakodate/Donan, Asahikawa/Kamikawa, Rumoi/Soya, Kitami/Oshima, Kushiro/Nemuro, Obihiro/Tokachi). Billed monthly or annually.
• Hokkaido Shimbun Digital Subscription (北海道新聞デジタル) Online digital news platform providing access to Hokkaido Shimbun articles, breaking news, regional coverage, sports, politics, economy, and lifestyle content. Subscription tiers include Digital Course (digital-only full access) and Viewer Course (digital access for non-residents without print delivery). Free tier (Doshin ID) provides 5 premium articles per month.
• Doshin Sports (道新スポーツ) Specialized sports news website covering Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, Consadole Sapporo, Levanga Hokkaido, and other local amateur and professional sports, with exclusive columns from Doshin Sports reporters.
• Doshin BIZ (道新BIZ) Business-focused news section and premium membership service providing in-depth business coverage, economic analysis, and industry-specific reporting for business professionals.
• Manabell (どうしん まなbell) Comprehensive digital teaching platform for K-12 schools featuring approximately 35 years of Hokkaido Shimbun article database search, daily front page access, curated news recommendations, newspaper creation tools, essay writing features, and Manabun Digital web edition. Priced at 63,800 JPY/year for up to 100 simultaneous device connections with 1 admin account. Sold to schools via the Mirai Education Promotion Office.
• Manavi (まなvi) Video Lessons 5-minute video teaching material series for elementary school Japanese language and social studies aligned with approved textbooks. Each video is approximately 5 minutes and priced at 600 JPY per video. Includes worksheets and lesson plans created by current teachers, with narration by students from Sapporo Shinkawa and Sapporo Kita High Schools.
• Manabun Digital (まなぶんデジタル) Web version of the Hokkaido Shimbun children's newspaper for elementary school students, featuring furigana annotations on all kanji, delivering news 4 times per week, and including videos about animals and cooking.
• Doshin DB (どうしんDB) Article Database Newspaper article database enabling keyword searches of Hokkaido Shimbun articles dating from July 1988, including clipped article images from September 2005, with search filters by publication date and page. Subscription starts from 550 JPY/month (tax included).
• Doshin E-commerce Shop / Doshin Marche (北海道新聞通販ショップ / 道新マルシェ) Multi-category e-commerce platform selling Hokkaido Shimbun published books, back issues, local Hokkaido products (Doshin Marche), character goods (Bunchan), Consadole Sapporo collaboration items, and event tickets. Supports credit card, cash-on-delivery, bank transfer, and NP deferred payment.
• Bunbun Club (道新ぶんぶんクラブ) Member organization offering access to events, prizes, and discount privileges at approximately 1,100 affiliated stores across Hokkaido as of January 2026.
• Doshin Photo Service (道新写真サービス) Photo sales service offering prints and framed photos from Hokkaido Shimbun and Doshin Sports publications in sizes from 2L to A3-nobi, with silver salt photography for smaller sizes and inkjet printing for A3-nobi. Pricing ranges 1,200 JPY (2L) to 8,500 JPY (A3-nobi), with 10% discount for Bunbun Club members.
• My Clip (マイ・クリップ) Custom-framed photo service that combines published articles with related photos, creating decorative pieces for commemorative occasions. Offers Standard (wooden frame, 2L 11,000 JPY to A3-nobi 27,000 JPY) and Premium (metal plate UV print, 2L 14,000 JPY to A3-nobi 33,000 JPY) options. All tax included.
• Anniversary Newspaper (どうしん記念日新聞) Commemorative A3-size reprint service of the Hokkaido Shimbun front page from a specific date, suitable for birthday or anniversary gifts. Front-only 510 JPY; front + back 700 JPY (tax included). Special discount for 20+ copies at 500 JPY/copy (300 JPY/copy for school orders). Gift box 410 JPY extra.
• Hokkaido Marathon (北海道マラソン) Annual marathon event organized by Hokkaido Shimbun, scheduled for August 30, 2026 in Sapporo. One of the company's signature regional sporting events.
• On-site Classes / Demae Jugyo (出前授業) Educational outreach program where Hokkaido Shimbun reporters visit schools to teach newspaper reading skills and explain journalism careers, with 7 thematic options covering media literacy, news writing, and information comparison. Materials at 40 JPY/student.

Quantifiable outcome

• Event participation: 3,870 participants at the 41st Saromako 100km Ultramarathon (June 2026, record high)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 北海道陸上競技協会 (Hokkaido Athletics Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 June 2026Hokkaido Shimbun co-organizes the サロマ湖100キロウルトラマラソン with the Hokkaido Athletics Association. This partnership drives community engagement, subscriptions, and brand visibility. The event attracted a record 3,870 participants in June 2026, spanning three municipalities (湧別町, 佐呂間町, 北見市常呂町).
• 北海道国学教育連盟 (Hokkaido Japanese Language Education Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe association supervises and endorses the まなvi video educational content for elementary school Japanese language curriculum, providing teaching plans and learning worksheets. This partnership validates the educational quality of the content for school adoption.
• 北海道社会科教育連盟 (Hokkaido Social Studies Education Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe association supervises and endorses the まなvi video educational content for elementary school social studies curriculum, providing teaching plans and learning worksheets alongside the video content.
• 北海道大学 (Hokkaido University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHokkaido University collaborates with Hokkaido Shimbun on various content initiatives, including the development of the 北大1号 barley-based craft beer feature story and general academic/cultural coverage. Also referenced in NIE educational content development.
• 北海道コンサドーレ札幌 (Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerConsadole Sapporo is a key sports partner featured extensively in Hokkaido Shimbun's sports coverage and 道新スポーツ. The company sells official Consadole merchandise (consadole-themed ぶんちゃん character goods) and collaborates on fan engagement through the ぶんぶんクラブ merchant network.
• 北海道日本ハムファイターズ (Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHokkaido Shimbun provides extensive coverage of the Fighters baseball team and collaborates on related events and merchandise. The Fighters are a major local sports franchise driving significant reader/subscribers engagement.
• レバンガ北海道 (Levanga Hokkaido)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHokkaido's professional basketball team, covered by Hokkaido Shimbun's sports section and featured in event coverage. The company covers team news and events including arena development proposals involving the team.
• 共同通信社 (Kyodo News Agency)coreTechnology or IntegrationHokkaido Shimbun receives news content from Kyodo News Agency for national and international news coverage, supplementing its own regional reporting. This is standard practice for regional Japanese newspapers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chunichi Shimbun: Chunichi Shimbun is one of Japan's largest regional newspaper publishers, serving the Chubu (Nagoya) region. Closely comparable to Hokkaido Shimbun in terms of dominant regional newspaper model, integrated digital ecosystem, sports coverage, education programs (NIE), and diversified event business.
• Kobe Shimbun: Kobe Shimbun is a regional daily newspaper serving the Hyogo/Kobe area. Highly comparable as a mid-size regional Japanese newspaper publisher with print + digital subscriptions, local e-commerce, and event operations. Both operate under similar secular pressure from print decline and digital competition.
• Kahoku Shimpo: Kahoku Shimpo is the dominant regional newspaper of the Tohoku (Sendai/Miyagi) region. Comparable as a regional newspaper with diversified digital, educational, and event operations serving a defined geographic market outside Japan's three major metro areas.
• Hokkoku Shimbun: Hokkoku Shimbun serves the Hokuriku (Ishikawa/Toyama) region with print newspaper, digital subscriptions, and event businesses. Comparable mid-size regional publisher with similar product breadth (news, education, e-commerce, events) and similar structural challenges.
• Niigata Nippo: Niigata Nippo is the regional newspaper of Niigata prefecture, offering print, digital, education, and event services. Comparable as a regional Japanese daily with diversified revenue streams and similar demographic headwinds from rural depopulation.

Broad incumbents

• Asahi Shimbun: Asahi Shimbun is one of Japan's two largest national newspapers with national/international coverage and digital subscription. Comparable in news publishing operations but operates at much larger scale and across all of Japan rather than a single region.
• Yomiuri Shimbun: Yomiuri Shimbun is Japan's largest circulation newspaper, with national print and digital operations plus the Yomiuri Giants sports franchise. Comparable as a vertically integrated media company with news + sports + events, though at vastly larger scale than Hokkaido Shimbun.
• Mainichi Shimbun: Mainichi Shimbun is a major national Japanese newspaper with print and digital operations, education programs (NIE), and event businesses. Comparable in product breadth and education focus, though national in scope rather than regional.
• Nikkei: Nikkei is Japan's flagship business newspaper with a successful digital subscription model (Nikkei Digital) widely regarded as a benchmark. Comparable as a newspaper-to-digital subscription transformation, though specialized in business/financial news rather than regional general-interest coverage.

Others

• Kyodo News: Kyodo News is Japan's largest news agency and a content partner of Hokkaido Shimbun (which receives national/international coverage from Kyodo wire). Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant — a content infrastructure provider for Japanese regional newspapers rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Hokkaido Shimbun Press