KENTSU SHIMBUNSHA

What KENTSU SHIMBUNSHA does

KENTSU SHIMBUNSHA (建通新聞社) is a privately held Japanese construction-industry media company headquartered in Shizuoka City, founded in 1952 and now operating across 18 branch and bureau locations covering Shizuoka, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chubu/Nagoya, Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, and all four Shikoku prefectures. The company publishes the 73-year-old trade newspaper 建通新聞 and its regional editions, distributes construction-industry news, public works coverage, and bid information to construction companies and government agencies, and runs the EBID online bidding database. Its core technology assets are (i) the 建通新聞電子版 digital newspaper platform launched 2011 and relaunched 2025, (ii) the EBID bidding-information subscription service launched 2001 with email delivery, (iii) the 建設技術・工法動画サイト CPDS-accredited construction-technology video platform launched 2019, (iv) the 人と建設と未来ラボ education site launched 2022, and (v) regional Kentsu Express Viewer bid-information services across multiple prefectures. The company employs 251-500 staff and operates two unrelated subsidiaries — 静岡ビジネス社 (business services) and 八千代印刷株式会社 (printing services).

The business model is a subscription- and advertising-led hybrid. Recurring subscription revenue comes from newspaper and digital edition fees, EBID bidding database access, and the mimi toku reader membership; advertising and technology-promotion revenue comes from paid posting of construction-technology and CPDS training videos on the video platform (campaign rate ¥33,000/month or fixed ¥66,000/month for 6-12 month contracts; technology/method pricing ¥22,000-¥38,500/month). Go-to-market is sales-led B2B with regional field sales through the branch network, augmented by direct newspaper circulation, email newsletters, an SEO-optimized digital platform, industry seminars, and association partnership referrals. Customer segments are three construction-industry verticals: general contractors and subcontractors (primary), national and local government agencies (tender publication and policy communication), and construction-technology providers (CPDS training and technology promotion). Co-founded by Maruo Hiroshi and Muramatsu Kenichi, the company is led by representative Semoto Tsuguhisa and remains independent with no disclosed parent, investor, or capital-markets participation.

Name

KENTSU SHIMBUNSHA

Legal name

株式会社建通新聞社

Website

https://kentsu.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

KENTSU SHIMBUNSHA is a 73-year-old Japanese construction-industry media company that publishes the trade newspaper 建通新聞 across 8 regional editions and operates digital news, bidding (EBID), and CPDS-accredited training video platforms serving contractors, government agencies, and construction-technology providers across 18 Japanese offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Industry Trade Media

NAICS

Printing and Related Support Activities (323)

SIC

Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction Codes & Building Standards Publishing (MPAJACAH)

Keywords

• Construction industry news
• Construction bidding information
• Trade newspaper publishing
• CPDS continuing education
• Public works tender data

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Newspaper Subscriptions: Print and digital subscriptions to 建通新聞 covering construction industry news, public works bidding information, and regional construction updates across multiple Japanese prefectures
2. Technology Video Promotion Fees: Companies pay to post construction technology/method videos, CPDS-certified training content, and promotional materials on the platform. Revenue from technology providers seeking exposure to construction industry professionals
3. Bidding Information Services: EBID platform providing comprehensive bidding/tender information for construction companies, with membership tiers for full access and email delivery services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KENTSU SHIMBUNSHA publishes the 建通新聞 (Kentsu Shimbun) regional construction-industry newspaper across multiple Japanese prefectures and operates the 建通新聞電子版 digital edition platform. It also runs the EBID online bidding/tender information database and the 建設技術・工法動画サイト video platform that delivers CPDS-certified continuing professional development content to civil engineering and construction professionals.

Product overview

KENTSU SHIMBUNSHA operates a multi-product portfolio centered on construction industry media and information services. The core offering is the 建通新聞電子版 digital newspaper platform, which delivers regional construction news across 8 editions (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Chubu, Osaka, Shikoku, Okayama, and nationwide central news). Supporting the digital edition are specialized platforms: the 建設技術・工法動画サイト for CPDS-certified training videos, the 人と建設と未来ラボ support site with educational content, and 建設クイズ for interactive learning. Additional services include EBID for bid information, 建築ナビ for building data, and regional express viewers for tender updates. The company also publishes print newspapers under regional titles including 静岡建通新聞, 四国建通新聞, 中部建通新聞, 神奈川建通新聞, 大阪建通新聞, and regional editions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 人与建设与未来Lab: Construction industry support and education platform promoting future of construction and disaster prevention awareness
• 建設技術・工法動画サイト
• 人と建設と未来ラボ
• EBID
• みみとく

Products and services

• 建通新聞電子版 (Kentsu Shimbun Digital Edition) Main digital newspaper platform delivering construction-industry news, public works, bidding, and private project coverage across regional editions (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Chubu, Osaka, Shikoku, Okayama). For construction firms, subcontractors, and government agencies seeking construction news and tender intelligence.
• 建設技術・工法動画サイト (Construction Technology/Method Video Site) Free video platform offering CPDS (Continuing Professional Development System) accredited construction technology and method videos that allow civil engineering and construction management professionals to earn continuing education units by watching videos and passing tests. For civil engineering construction management engineers and construction professionals seeking CPDS credits.
• 人と建設と未来ラボ (People, Construction and Future Lab) Public outreach and construction industry support website offering themed educational sections with images and videos covering future city development, construction technologies, Japan's infrastructure legacy, and disaster prevention awareness. For the general public, students, and construction-industry stakeholders.
• EBID 入札情報サイト (Bidding Information Site) Online bidding/tender information database providing comprehensive public works tender data with membership-based full search and email delivery of opportunities. For construction companies (general contractors and subcontractors) seeking public works bidding intelligence.
• みみとく (Reader Membership Site) Reader membership website offering exclusive content and member-only services for registered digital edition subscribers. For individual readers and construction-industry professionals registered with the Kentsu Shimbun digital edition.
• 建通速報ビューアー (Kentsu Express Viewer - Shikoku and Shizuoka editions) Regional bid information service providing rapid delivery of tender and bidding updates for the Shikoku and Shizuoka regions. For construction companies needing timely tender notifications in those geographies.
• 建築ナビ (Building Navi) Construction information portal website launched in the Shizuoka region, providing building and construction-related data and search capabilities. For construction firms and building professionals in the Shizuoka region.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 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

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 静岡ブルーレヴズ (Shizuoka Bluerevs)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2021Japan Rugby League One team. 建通新聞社 serves as an Official Partner, supporting the local professional sports team as part of community engagement and regional promotion activities.
• 地方建設専門紙の会 (Local Construction Press Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association of 13 local construction newspaper publishers in Japan. 建通新聞社 is a founding member (established November 2006). The association also established the Local Construction Journalists Association.
• （一社）全国土木施工管理技士会連合会 (Japan Civil Engineering Construction Management Engineers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredited provider of CPDS (Continuing Professional Development System) certification programs. The construction technology video site provides CPDS-credited training content that qualifies for continuing education units for civil engineering managers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• JACIC (Japan Construction Information Center / 日本建設情報総合センター): Government-affiliated foundation that operates official construction information databases and e-procurement systems for public works in Japan. Comparable as a construction information services provider, but a public-sector enabler and potential substitute for KENTSU's paid EBID bidding information service rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• 国際建設新聞社 (Kokusai Kensetsu Shimbunsha): Long-standing construction industry newspaper publisher in Japan. Closely comparable product offering (construction trade journalism) and target customer base, operating as another entrant in Japan's fragmented construction trade press market.
• 新建新聞社 (Shinken Shimbunsha): Osaka-based regional construction newspaper publisher and fellow member of the Local Construction Specialty Press Association (地方建設専門紙の会). Operates the same regional construction news and bidding information model in the Kansai region that KENTSU runs across its covered prefectures.
• 福井建設新聞社 (Fukui Kensetsu Shimbunsha): Regional construction newspaper publisher and fellow Local Construction Specialty Press Association member. Provides directly comparable construction trade journalism for general contractors and government agencies in the Hokuriku region — same niche, different geography.
• 日刊建設通信新聞社 (Nikkan Kensetsu Tsushin Shimbunsha): Major national construction industry daily newspaper. Directly comparable in business model — paid subscriptions, construction industry news coverage, and tender/bid information — competing for the same Japanese construction firm readership.
• 日刊建設タイムス (Nikkan Kensetsu Times): Another Japanese construction industry daily newspaper serving the same general contractor and subcontractor audience with construction news, project coverage, and tender information. Operates as a direct peer in the same B2B construction trade press market.
• 日刊建設工業新聞社 (Nikkan Kensetsu Kogyo Shimbunsha): Japan's flagship daily construction industry newspaper. Direct competitor in the same B2B construction trade press market, serving the same general contractor and subcontractor subscriber base with comparable news, bidding, and project intelligence.

Broad incumbents

• 日経BP (Nikkei BP): Japan's largest B2B media company (a Nikkei Group subsidiary) publishing titles such as Nikkei Construction and Nikkei Architecture. Overlaps with KENTSU in serving construction industry professionals, but operates at much larger scale and across many industries rather than specializing in regional construction trade press.

Regional players

• 中部経済新聞 (Chubu Keizai Shimbun): Regional business and economic newspaper covering the Chubu/Nagoya area — one of KENTSU's core operating regions. Comparable in serving regional business readers with local economic and industry coverage, though broader in scope than KENTSU's construction-specific focus.
• 静岡新聞社 (Shizuoka Shimbunsha): Major regional general-interest newspaper publisher headquartered in the same Shizuoka Prefecture as KENTSU. Comparable in scale and regional media operations, but covers general news rather than specializing in construction industry verticals — a regional incumbent in the same geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kentsumedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 KENTSU SHIMBUNSHA