What Hearst Digital Japan does

Hearst Digital Japan (株式会社ハースト婦人画報社) is a Tokyo-headquartered, wholly-owned subsidiary of US-based Hearst Corporation, operating Japan's largest portfolio of premium lifestyle media brands. The company publishes 14 regularly issued print magazines — including ELLE Japon, 25ans, Harper's BAZAAR, Richesse, Fujingaho (founded 1905, Japan's oldest lifestyle title), Modern Living, Women's Health, Esquire, HODINKEE Japan, and Men's Club — alongside 10+ digital media sites, extensive social channels (ELLEgirl UNI/UNIon reaches 14M+ combined followers), and proprietary event franchises (ELLE ACTIVE!, Modern Living Awards, Social Echo Club, WeSAY). The core platform combines editorial content production with a proprietary first-party audience data asset, Hearst ID, containing approximately 760,000 enriched user profiles used for category-based ad targeting.

The company operates five revenue streams: (1) print and digital magazine subscriptions and single-issue sales across 20+ titles; (2) e-commerce via ELLE SHOP (launched 2009, ~200 fashion brands) and Fujingaho no Otoriyose (launched 2011, 2,000+ gourmet SKUs) — though both are being wound down in 2026; (3) advertising and branded content through the Hearst Media Solutions division (7-solution B2B platform combining branded content, display, video, data & research, events, overseas promotion, and HEARST MADE); (4) premium digital subscriptions such as Fujingaho & Utsukushii Kimono Premium (¥990/mo or ¥9,900/yr); and (5) luxury residential interior styling services via ML STYLING, which reported 3x order growth in 2023 and average project value of ¥12M. HearstLab Japan, established ~2024, deploys corporate venture capital into women-led startups (4 Japanese investments to date, portfolio includes ikura's AI Inbound Agent).

Customer segments span two motion: B2C affluent readers (25ans average annual income reported at ¥20.3M) and B2B corporate advertisers across luxury (GRAFF, STELLA McCARTNEY, Chloe), electronics (CASIO, Panasonic Beauty), pharmaceutical (Asahi Kasei Pharma), hospitality (Hoshinoya), and retail (Wako, Shop Channel). B2B work is executed under seven solution categories. Sustainability is operationally embedded: ISO 14001 certified since 2019, first Japanese publisher with FSC and PEFC certifications (2010), and all 14 magazine print runs offset with Green Power Certificates from March 2023, with carbon-neutral advertising products targeted for 2026.

Name

Hearst Digital Japan

Legal name

株式会社ハースト妇人画報社

Website

https://hearst.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hearst Digital Japan is a Tokyo-based subsidiary of Hearst Corporation operating 14 print magazines and 10+ digital media brands including ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR, 25ans, Fujingaho, and Modern Living, serving affluent Japanese readers and global luxury advertisers through editorial content, e-commerce, and Hearst Media Solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Lifestyle Media and Branded Marketing Solutions

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Lifestyle & Fashion Magazines (MPAJAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Subscription & Fulfillment Services (Print & Digital) (MPAJAKAB)

Keywords

• Premium magazine publishing
• Digital media brands
• Advertising solutions
• Branded content production
• Luxury e-commerce

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

Revenue model

1. Magazine Sales (Print & Digital): Sale of physical and digital magazine subscriptions and individual issues across 20+ titles including ELLE Japon, 25ans, Harper's BAZAAR, Richesse, Fujingaho, Modern Living, and others. Revenue from newsstand, direct subscriptions, and digital app sales.
2. E-commerce (ELLE SHOP, 妇人画報のお取り寄せ): Online retail operations: ELLE SHOP (fashion e-commerce launched 2009, featuring ~200 international brands) and 妇人画報のお取り寄せ (gourmet/food e-commerce launched 2011, offering 2,000+ items). Both operated as owned storefronts.
3. Advertising & Brand Solutions (Hearst Media Solutions): B2B solutions including branded content/tie-up articles, display advertising, video production & distribution, display advertising, data & research, experiential events, and brand marketing support (HEARST MADE). Revenue from corporate advertising budgets and retainer fees.
4. Premium Digital Subscriptions: Paid membership services such as 妇人画報＆美しいキモノプレミアム (monthly ¥990 / annual ¥9,900), 妇人画報プレミアム (¥550/month or ¥5,500/year), and ウィメンズヘルス プラス (annual plan).
5. ML STYLING (Interior Styling Services): Personal residence interior styling and coordination services offered by Modern Living brand. Revenue from styling fees (10-15% of purchased item total) and furniture/sourcing services. Minimum furniture purchase amount: ¥3,000,000.
6. Corporate Venture / HearstLab Investment: HearstLab invests in early-stage women-led startups (e.g., ikura) as a vehicle for strategic innovation and startup ecosystem engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Hearst Digital Japan is a Japanese media company that publishes 20+ premium magazine brands across print and digital (ELLE Japon, Harper's BAZAAR, 25ans, Richesse, Fujingaho, Modern Living, Women's Health, Esquire, HODINKEE Japan, ELLEgirl, etc.), operates consumer e-commerce storefronts (ELLE SHOP and 婦人画報のお取り寄せ), and sells B2B advertising, branded content, video production, data, event, and owned-media solutions to brand clients through its Hearst Media Solutions division. It also runs HearstLab Japan (a venture investment platform for women-led startups) and ML STYLING (a luxury residential interior coordination service).

Product overview

Hearst Digital Japan (株式会社ハースト羅人画報社) operates a portfolio of 20+ magazine and digital media brands spanning fashion (ELLE Japon, Harper's BAZAAR, 25ans, Richesse), lifestyle (Fujingaho, Women's Health, Modern Living), food (ELLE gourmet, Fujingaho no Otoriyose), bridal (25ans Wedding, ELLE mariage), men's (Esquire, Men's Club, HODINKEE Japan), youth (ELLEgirl), and specialty (Beautiful Kimono, Harper's BAZAAR art). The core media brands are supplemented by e-commerce platforms (ELLE SHOP, Fujingaho no Otoriyose), a premium digital membership service (Fujingaho & Utsukushii Kimono Premium), and Hearst Made — a brand marketing solutions division offering content, video, social, advertising, research, and campaign services leveraging the company's 760,000+ first-party audience data profiles. HearstLab provides venture investment in women-led startups, while ML STYLING extends the Modern Living brand into luxury residential interior styling services. The Hearst Media Solutions unit provides seven integrated marketing solutions combining editorial emotion and data analytics for brand clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HearstMedia Solutions: Advertising solutions and branded content division offering 7 solution services including tie-up content, display advertising, global campaign support, data & research, video production, experiential marketing, and owned media support.
• HearstLab Japan (ハーストラボ)
• WeSAY (ウィーセイ)
• ELLE ACTIVE! for SDGs
• Hearst Made (ハーストメイド)
• ML STYLING
• ELLE Creative
• ELLEgirl UNI / ELLEgirl UNIon
• ELLEgirl NextLAB

Products and services

• ELLE Japon (エル・ジャポン) Japanese edition of the global fashion magazine brand covering fashion, beauty, art, and entertainment with high-sensitivity content leveraging a global network spanning 45 countries.
• ELLE gourmet (エル・グルメ) Food media delivering the latest food scene trends through magazines, digital, and social platforms, targeting curious food lovers with recipes, techniques, kitchen tools, dining recommendations, and sustainability topics.
• ELLE DECOR (エル・デコ) International interior and design media published in 30 countries; Japanese edition covers world design trends, interior examples, and creator profiles with original Japanese content.
• ELLE mariage (エル・マリアージュ) International wedding media derived from the global ELLE network targeting fashion-forward brides who balance tradition with personal style across dress, jewelry, beauty, and venue categories.
• ELLEgirl (エル・ガール) Empowerment media targeting Gen Z and millennial women with fashion, wellness, and beauty content; features creative community ELLEgirl UNI, reader community ELLEgirl UNIon, and online learning platform ELLEgirl NextLAB.
• ELLE SHOP (エル・ショップ) Owned fashion e-commerce platform featuring approximately 200 domestic and international fashion brands including Stella McCartney, Chloe, and Maison Margiela, with exclusive brand collaborations and limited items integrated with ELLE magazine editorial.
• 婦人画報のお取り寄せ (Fujingaho no Otoriyose) Owned gourmet e-commerce service offering approximately 2,000 premium curated food items featured in Fujingaho magazine issues, with catalog gift services for celebratory occasions.
• 婦人画報 (Fujingaho) Japan's oldest lifestyle magazine covering clothing, food, and shelter with curated quality lifestyle information; digital platform added in 2019 with wellness, fashion, gourmet, travel, and traditional culture content.
• 美しいキモノ (Utsukushii Kimono) Japan's first kimono-specialty magazine covering authentic kimono styles and premier dyeing/weaving techniques for kimono enthusiasts and industry professionals.
• Richesse (リシェス) Ultra-luxury media targeting high-net-worth readers; covers travel, art, food, jewelry, fashion, and wellness across print, digital, and social platforms.
• 25ans (ヴァンサンカン) Luxury media targeting affluent readers with average annual income of ¥20.3M; covers fashion, beauty, travel, and lifestyle with community 25ans Amis.
• 25ans Wedding (ヴァンサンカン ウェディング) Japan's oldest luxury bridal magazine with 40-year history covering wedding venues, dresses, jewelry, beauty, and bouquets in print and digital formats.
• Harper's BAZAAR (ハーパーズ バザー) Japanese edition of the world's oldest existing fashion magazine; empowers women with luxury fashion, culture, and lifestyle content and runs BAZAAR SUMMIT events on diversity, women's health, and sustainability.
• Harper's BAZAAR art (ハーパーズ バザー アート) Art-focused media inheriting Harper's BAZAAR's philosophy, covering contemporary art with focus on women artists, emerging artists, luxury brand art initiatives, and art events.
• Modern Living (モダンリビング) Luxury residential magazine covering housing, interiors, architecture, and real estate; expanded beyond print into digital media, e-commerce, seminars, styling services, and sustainability programs.
• Women's Health (ウィメンズヘルス) Fitness and lifestyle media targeting women; part of a global brand active in 54+ countries with 37M combined users. Covers physical and mental wellness, plus e-commerce (Women's Health SHOP) and events.
• Esquire (エスクァイア) Japanese edition of the global men's style magazine covering fashion, watches, lifestyle, journalism, and culture under the slogan 'Man At His Best'; relaunched 2025 targeting affluent 35–45 year-olds.
• HODINKEE Japan (ホディンキー ジャパン) Japanese edition of New York-based global watch lifestyle media; covers watch reviews, news, vintage watch history, and lifestyle content in digital and biannual print formats.
• Men's Club (メンズクラブ) Japan's first men's fashion magazine, pioneering trad styles including American casual, Ivy, and preppy; transitioned to non-periodic publication in late 2024.
• Hearst Media Solutions / Hearst Made (Hearst Media Solutions) B2B marketing solutions division combining 'emotion' (editorial content) and 'data' (Hearst ID first-party audience platform). Seven solution areas: co-branded content, display advertising, global campaign support, data & research, video production/distribution, experiential events, and owned media support (HEARST MADE).
• ML STYLING (個人邸インテリアスタイリング) Luxury residential interior styling service operated by Modern Living magazine editors and certified interior coordinators; covers consultation, showroom research, styling plans, and furniture procurement with delivery.
• 婦人画報&美しいキモノプレミアム (Fujingaho & Utsukushii Kimono Premium) Premium paid digital membership combining Fujingaho and Utsukushii Kimono content; includes archives, video courses on Japanese culture, kimono techniques, and expert-level content. Monthly ¥990 / annual ¥9,900.

Quantifiable outcome

• ELLEgirl Panasonic Beauty tie-up achieved 130万 PV within one month — largest access in ELLEgirl history
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• HERALBONY (株式会社ヘラルボニー)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 February 20265 Hearst media brands (ELLE, Fujingaho, Harper's BAZAAR, 25ans, Richesse) serve as media partners for the HERALBONY Art Prize 2026, an international art award for artists with disabilities. Hearst will publish articles about award winners, supporting brands, and the art prize through print, digital, and social media.
• MEET YOUR ART FESTIVAL (MYAF) 2025minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025ELLE serves as media partner for MYAF 2025 (October 10-13, 2025, Tennoz waterfront, Tokyo). ELLE curates a collaborative art exhibition ('Divers Narratives') featuring 6 Japanese emerging artists with works available for sale, hosts an outdoor cinema screening of 'Tangerine,' and organizes a talk session with director Yamabe Yoko, actress MEGUMI, and artist Elie. URL: myaf2025.
• 瀬戸内国際芸術祭2025 (Setouchi Triennale 2025)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2025Hearst Fujingaho served as the first-ever media company partner for the Setouchi Triennale 2025 (Setouchi International Art Festival). As part of the 120th anniversary commemoration, Hearst published a special tabloid magazine 'A Journey Through the Hidden Charms of SETOUCHI' (70,000 copies, Japanese-English bilingual) distributed at festival sites, airports, and train stations. 6 Hearst titles collaborated on editorial content.
• GRAFF and CASIO G-SHOCKminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025ELLE CREATIVE (ELL's editorial production unit) produced visual content for GRAFF (brand ambassador SANA/TWICE) and CASIO G-SHOCK (brand ambassador ITZY) using ELL's editorial photography and creative direction. Assets were used across brand-owned media, ELL tie-ups, and social media.
• 株式会社東急Re・デザイン (Tokyu Re-Design)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2025ML STYLING (Modern Living's interior styling business) partnered with Tokyu Re-Design on a joint project for condo renovation. ML STYLING provides interior design and furniture coordination for Tokyu Re-Design's renovation projects targeting luxury condo buyers.
• 株式会社フロンティアハウス (Frontier House)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 August 2024ML STYLING entered a business partnership with Frontier House, a comprehensive real estate company. Frontier House recommends ML STYLING services to its customers to enhance their property offerings with luxury interior styling.
• DNP (大日本印刷), TOPPAN株式会社, 日経印刷coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2024Collaborated with three major Japanese printing companies to measure and certify the Carbon Footprint (CFP) of all 14 regularly published magazines. DNP, TOPPAN, and Nikkin Printing provided primary data for the lifecycle assessment of magazine manufacturing. Results were third-party verified by Socotec Certification Japan.
• 株式会社東急コミュニティー (Tokyu Community) and 株式会社TPOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2024ML STYLING partnerships with Tokyu Community (condo management) to style common areas of managed buildings, and TPO (corporate concierge) to recommend ML STYLING services to corporate employees.
• Lifetime (A+E Networks)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 202325ans and Lifetime co-produced the documentary series 'Pet Telling ~ワンコの気持ち伝えます~' streaming on Hulu. This leverages Hearst's media brand network and video production capabilities in partnership with Lifetime's global documentary expertise.
• 旭化成ファーマ (Asahi Kasei Pharma)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 August 2023Asahi Kasei Pharma co-sponsored an SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) awareness video featuring actress Mao Mano, promoted across 5 Hearst media titles (ELLE Digital, Women's Health, ELLEgirl, COSMOPOLITAN, WeSAY) using Hearst's new category targeting ad menu. The sponsor used Hearst's cross-media promotional capabilities.
• 日本自然エネルギー株式会社 (Japan Natural Energy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Japan Natural Energy issues Green Power Certificates that Hearst Fujingaho purchases to offset the electricity used in printing all 14 regularly published magazines. This enables carbon-neutral printing starting March 2023.
• Modern Living Awards Sponsors (JAXSON, NORMAN JAPAN, RELIANCE, NIHON BED)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 December 2022Modern Living Awards (architecture award, 18th edition) was co-sponsored by JAXSON | HIDEO TOKYO (main sponsor), NORMAN JAPAN, RELIANCE, and NIHON BED (gold sponsors). Event was held at JAXSON | HIDEO TOKYO with hybrid in-person/online streaming.
• 国連広報センター (UNIC) — '1.5℃の約束' Climate CampaignminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Hearst Fujingaho participates in the UNIC-led '1.5℃ Promise' climate action campaign, committing to use its media channels to promote climate change awareness and behavioral change among readers. 127 media companies participated at launch.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Condé Nast Japan: Operates Vogue, GQ, and other premium fashion/lifestyle magazines in Japan. Direct competitor in luxury fashion and lifestyle magazine publishing, targeting similar affluent demographics with similar advertising-based business models.
• Magazine House: Publishes POPEYE, BRUTUS, Casa BRUTUS, and GQ Japan (under license). Comparable in producing premium lifestyle, fashion, and culture magazines for Japanese audiences; competes directly for advertising budgets and reader attention.
• CCC Media House: Publishes Pen, FIGARO japon, and Casa BRUTUS predecessor titles. Comparable publisher of culture, fashion, and lifestyle magazines in Japan with overlapping affluent reader demographics and similar advertising-driven model.
• Shueisha: Major Japanese publisher producing non-no, MORE, MAQUIA, and BAILA in fashion/beauty segments. Direct competitor for women's magazine readers and the same advertiser pools (luxury fashion, cosmetics, beauty brands).
• Kodansha: One of Japan's largest publishers, producing magazines like VOCE, FRaU, and VERY in the lifestyle/fashion/beauty space. Comparable scale publisher targeting similar demographic segments with multi-brand portfolio.
• Shogakukan: Major Japanese publisher producing CanCam, Oggi, and other women's fashion/lifestyle magazines. Competes in the same premium women's lifestyle magazine category in Japan with similar advertising revenue models.

Broad incumbents

• Hakuhodo DY Holdings: Japan's second-largest advertising agency group, competing with Hearst Media Solutions for corporate brand marketing budgets. While broader in scope (full advertising services), it competes specifically in content marketing, branded content, and digital media buying.
• Dentsu Group: Japan's largest advertising agency and one of the world's largest marketing services groups. Competes with Hearst Media Solutions for brand advertiser budgets across display, video, content, and data-driven marketing; broad incumbent in the same B2B space.
• Bauer Media Group: Global magazine publisher operating across multiple countries and verticals (including women's, lifestyle, and entertainment). Comparable international magazine publisher with similar portfolio diversification strategy and print-to-digital transition challenges.

Others

• Hearst Corporation (parent): US-based parent company operating 375+ businesses globally including Esquire US (Pulitzer Prize 2025 winner), Harper's BAZAAR US, and Hearst Media (TV). Captures shared brand licensing economics, syndication opportunities, and corporate-level strategic decision-making.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hearstfujingaho
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@hearstfujingaho7897
• Facebookfacebook.com/hearstfujingaho
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hearst-fujingaho
• Instagraminstagram.com/hearstfujingaho

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries20 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 Hearst Digital Japan