Obunsha
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1931
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
Obunsha firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Obunsha
- Legal name
- 株式会社旺文社
- Website
- https://obunsha.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1931
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Obunsha industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Publishing
- NAICS
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- College Admissions Exam Prep (SAT/ACT/AP/IB) (EDAGADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Language Proficiency Exam Prep (CEFR, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, PTE) (EDANACAD), Exam Preparation Materials (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAGAHAE), Young Learners ESL/EFL Materials (Pre-K–Primary) (EDAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Obunsha is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Obunsha business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Physical and Digital Book Sales: Sale of educational textbooks, exam preparation guides, dictionaries, children's books, and general education materials through bookstores, online retail, and proprietary e-commerce platforms. Revenue from both physical books and e-book versions.
- Magazine and Periodical Publications: Monthly magazine 螢雪時代 and special issue publications covering university entrance exam information, guidebooks, and educational content
- Test Administration: Operation of English proficiency tests including 英語応対能力検定 and 全国学芸サイエンスコンクール competition
- School-exclusive Materials: B2B sales of dedicated educational materials for schools, cram schools, and language schools
- Licensing and Digital Services: Licensing of content to app developers, digital platform operators, and educational service providers; revenue from digital apps and online learning platforms
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | IELTS textbooks - comprehensive exam preparation books |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 英語ターゲット series - university exam vocabulary |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 英検予想問題ドリル - Eiken exam preparation |
| Subscription | Monthly | 螢雪時代 magazine - monthly university exam information |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 螢雪時代臨時増刊 - special issue guidebooks |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | ターゲットの友 app - vocabulary learning app |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Obunsha product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Obunsha is a Tokyo-based educational publisher (founded 1931) that produces print and digital study reference books, exam preparation materials, and English language test prep resources for Japanese students from elementary school through university entrance exam level. Its flagship offerings include the long-running National University Entrance Exam Solutions series, the Target English Vocabulary series, the Keisetsu Jidai monthly magazine, OREX dictionaries, IELTS/Eiken/TOEFL preparation books, and a suite of digital platforms (Passnavi, Eiken Kakomon, Education Information Center) plus companion mobile apps.
Product overview
Obunsha (旺文社) is a Tokyo-based educational publisher offering a multi-format portfolio spanning print textbooks, digital platforms, language proficiency test preparation, and academic competitions. The core product lines include: (1) Study reference books (学習参考書) for elementary through high school in all subject areas; (2) the flagship university and high school entrance exam solution series (全国大学入試問題正解 / 全国高校入試問題正解), a 91-year bestseller now in its 2027 edition with new volumes for recommendation and comprehensive selection exams; (3) the English Target vocabulary series (英単語ターゲット series) with companion app ターゲットの友; (4) Eiken (英検) and TOEFL/IELTS test preparation materials including British Council-authorized IELTS titles and a dedicated Eiken platform (英検合格ナビゲーター); (5) the 螢雪時代 monthly university exam magazine plus multiple annual special issues; (6) digital platforms including 大学受験パスナビ (university search portal), 入試正解デジタル (exam question database), 教育情報センター (education research), and the e-book store; and (7) the 全国学芸サイエンスコンクール, a long-running national student competition. Products are complemented by a dedicated e-commerce site (学びストア) and licensing of content to third-party learning apps.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 大学受験パスナビ: University entrance exam information and guidance portal
- 教育情報センター
- ターゲットの友
- 英検カコモン
- 螢雪時代
- 全国学芸サイエンスコンクール
- StudiCo（スタディコ）
- 英ナビ！
- オーレックス
- 英単語ターゲットシリーズ
Products and services
- National University Entrance Exam Solutions series (全国大学入試問題正解) Annual flagship series compiling past university entrance exam questions and solutions across multiple subjects; first published in 1935 with 91 continuous years as a bestseller. Used by high school students preparing for Japanese university admissions.
- National High School Entrance Exam Solutions series (全国高校入試問題正解) Annual series of exam solution books covering Japanese high school entrance exam questions across all major subjects; targeted at middle school students preparing for high school admissions.
Quantifiable outcome
- IELTS textbook market share No. 1 in Japan
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Obunsha
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Obunsha technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Obunsha partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Casio (カシオ計算機)coreJoint venture partner in株式会社学びUPコミュニケーションズ for operating the English Communication Ability Test (英語応対能力検定). Casio provides learning device development. Investment: 40% stake in joint venture.
- Mainichi Shimbun (毎日新聞社)coreJoint venture partner in株式会社学びUPコミュニケーションズ for English Communication Ability Test operation. Provides promotional and PR support through media network. Investment: 20% stake in joint venture.
- Seven & i Holdings (セブン&アイグループ)minorExclusive distribution partnership for NHK Eigo de Asobo DVD picture books through 7-Eleven convenience stores and 7net shopping. First exclusive sales partnership for Obunsha with convenience store chain.
- Monoshikado (物書堂)minorLicensing Obunsha's TOEFL test vocabulary content (TOEFLテスト英単語3800) for development into iOS/iPad/Apple Watch application. Monoshikado develops and distributes the app.
- Best Teacher (ベストティーチャー)minorOnline English conversation service using Obunsha's 英検2級予想問題ドリル for test preparation courses. Integration of Obunsha content into Best Teacher's online platform.
- mikanminorLicensing partnership to provide TOEFL test vocabulary content (TOEFLテスト英単語3800 4訂版) within mikan's English vocabulary app. Content adapted for flashcard-style learning on mobile platform.
- NHK Educational (NHKエデュケーショナル)minorLicensing partnership for NHK E Telecom Eigo de Asobo content. Obunsha produces DVD picture books using NHK program content. NHK provides DVD production.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Obunsha competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Benesse Corporation: Major Japanese education and publishing group including 进研ゼミ correspondence courses and English test prep. Larger and broader incumbent that overlaps with Obunsha in test preparation, study references, and educational services, and competes for the same Japanese household education budget.
- Shogakukan: Major Japanese publisher of books, magazines, and educational content including 学习 journals and reference works. Overlaps with Obunsha in educational publishing, children's books, and magazine publishing (comparable to Keisetsu Jidai).
- KADOKAWA: Large Japanese publisher with significant educational and reference book operations (KADOKAWA Academic), plus digital learning platforms. Overlaps with Obunsha in study references, language learning, and test prep, but operates at much broader scale.
Direct peers
- Z-Kai: Japanese correspondence-education and test-prep provider (Z会) serving elementary through high school and adult learners. Comparable in the university entrance exam prep and English test prep segments, and overlapping in 通信教育 distribution models.
- Hirokawa Shoten: Japanese educational publisher specializing in language learning, English study references, and exam preparation (Barron's partnership for TOEFL in Japan). Direct competitor in English test prep and ESL/EFL publishing adjacent to Obunsha's Target and IELTS lines.
- Gakken Holdings: Japanese educational publisher offering study guides, magazines (e.g., 科学/Kagaku), learning materials, and cram-school operations (Gakken Seminar). Direct competitor in K–12 study references, magazines, and digital learning, with comparable brand heritage dating back to 1946.
- Daiichi Gakushusha: Japanese educational publisher specializing in middle-school and high-school study references and entrance exam preparation materials. Closest scale-comparable Japanese competitor to Obunsha's reference book and entrance exam solutions business.
- Tokyo Shoseki: Japanese publisher of school textbooks (kentei-shounin) and educational reference books. Competes with Obunsha in school-level educational content and is a direct peer in the textbook and reference book categories.
Others
- Educational Testing Service (ETS): US-based non-profit that administers the TOEFL test globally and produces TOEFL preparation materials. Ecosystem participant and content-licensor comparable to Obunsha's role as British Council IELTS partner in Japan; relevant as a benchmark for English test prep publishing.
Emerging players
- Recruit Holdings (Studyplus): Operates Studyplus, a leading Japanese study-habit/study-tracking platform reaching millions of students. Emerging digital-native peer that competes for the same Japanese student attention in test preparation, complementing rather than replacing print study guides.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Obunsha social profiles
Digital presenceObunsha financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Obunsha leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Obunsha subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Obunsha funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Obunsha M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Obunsha
What does Obunsha do?
Obunsha is a Tokyo-based educational publisher (founded 1931) that produces print and digital study reference books, exam preparation materials, and English language test prep resources for Japanese students from elementary school through university entrance exam level. Its flagship offerings include the long-running National University Entrance Exam Solutions series, the Target English Vocabulary series, the Keisetsu Jidai monthly magazine, OREX dictionaries, IELTS/Eiken/TOEFL preparation books, and a suite of digital platforms (Passnavi, Eiken Kakomon, Education Information Center) plus companion mobile apps.
Is Obunsha a public or private company?
Obunsha is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Obunsha founded?
Obunsha was founded in 1931. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Obunsha based?
Obunsha is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Obunsha make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Physical and Digital Book Sales are the primary driver. The others are magazine and Periodical Publications, test Administration, school-exclusive Materials and licensing and Digital Services.
Who are Obunsha's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Benesse Corporation, Shogakukan and KADOKAWA. Direct peers are Z-Kai, Hirokawa Shoten, Gakken Holdings, Daiichi Gakushusha and Tokyo Shoseki. Educational Testing Service (ETS) is listed as an others. Recruit Holdings (Studyplus) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Obunsha have an API?
No public API is recorded for Obunsha.
What industry is Obunsha in?
Obunsha's product category is Educational Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGADAB, College Admissions Exam Prep (SAT/ACT/AP/IB), with a secondary code of EDANACAD, Language Proficiency Exam Prep (CEFR, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, PTE). Its NAICS code is 611691 and its SIC code is 2731.