（株）朝日出版社
Asahi Press Inc. (朝日出版社) is a privately held Japanese publisher founded in 1962 that produces language textbooks, the CNN English Express magazine, and general-interest books, serving universities, language learners, and general readers across Japan through print and digital channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1962
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What （株）朝日出版社 does
Asahi Press Inc. (朝日出版社) is a privately held Japanese publishing company founded in 1962 and headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The company began by publishing German-language textbooks for university students and has since expanded into a multi-language educational and general-interest publisher covering 17+ foreign languages including English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Tibetan, Arabic, Hindi, Greek, Vietnamese, and Indonesian. The company operates with approximately 10 employees and distributes through bookstore chains, online retailers, digital content platforms, and direct sales.
The company's portfolio is organized across four main pillars: (1) university and high-school language textbooks adopted across Japanese educational institutions, (2) the flagship monthly magazine CNN English Express — published since April 1987 under a strategic licensing partnership with CNN that provides authentic English news content, (3) general-interest books spanning philosophy, science, history, art, essays, business, health, and children's literature, with multiple award-winning titles, and (4) digital media including e-books distributed across Kindle, Rakuten Kobo, BookLive, and other platforms, the webzine "あさひてらす" (Asahi Terrace), a LINE official account for daily language tips, the u-CAT TOEIC preparation e-learning system (developed with Korean partner YBMsisa), the Olive Green online English course (offered in 1-, 3-, and 12-month subscriptions), and the E-DIC bilingual dictionary.
Asahi Press generates revenue through one-time book and textbook sales (priced ¥770–¥5,280), recurring magazine subscriptions (CNN English Express at approximately ¥1,466/month), subscription-based e-learning courses (Olive Green, u-CAT), and digital content sales. Its go-to-market combines direct website sales, traditional wholesale bookstore distribution, university textbook adoption, and channel partnerships — notably with NOVA language schools for live-streamed English classes. Sub-brands include CNN ENGLISH EXPRESS, u-CAT, E-DIC, and Olive Green. The company holds no patents, has no disclosed funding rounds, no subsidiaries, no parent company, and operates as an independent specialty publisher with a 60+ year operating history.
（株）朝日出版社 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- （株）朝日出版社
- Legal name
- 株式会社 朝日出版社
- Website
- https://asahipress.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1962
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Asahi Press Inc. (朝日出版社) is a privately held Japanese publisher founded in 1962 that produces language textbooks, the CNN English Express magazine, and general-interest books, serving universities, language learners, and general readers across Japan through print and digital channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
（株）朝日出版社 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Grammar, Vocabulary & Pronunciation Materials (EDAGAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Humanities (History, Philosophy, Literature, Languages) (EDAGABAE), World Languages & Bilingual/ESL (K–12) Materials (EDAGAAAC), E-book Retail & Reading Platforms (Stores, Apps, Devices) (MPAJAMAA)
Keywords
Where （株）朝日出版社 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
（株）朝日出版社 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Textbook Sales: Sales of language textbooks for university and high school use, including German, English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and other foreign languages. These are used as adopted texts at educational institutions.
- Magazine Subscriptions (CNN English Express): Monthly magazine publication of CNN English Express, a joint venture with CNN providing English learning content. Subscriptions are sold on a recurring basis with delivery to subscribers.
- General Books: Publication and sales of general interest books across categories including philosophy, education, history, science, art, health, cooking, essays, business, and children's literature. Includes award-winning titles.
- Digital Content: E-books, web magazines (あさひてらす), LINE official account content, and digital learning materials. Also includes u-CAT e-learning TOEIC preparation system.
- Language Learning Materials: Specialized language learning books, dictionaries, TOEIC preparation materials, and audio/video learning content. Includes Olive Green online English courses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | CNN English Express Magazine - Monthly subscription |
| Subscription | Monthly | Olive Green Online English Course - 1 month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Olive Green Online English Course - 3 months |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Olive Green Online English Course - 12 months |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | u-CAT TOEIC Standard Practice Tests+ (serial code) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | General Books - Price range |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
（株）朝日出版社 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Asahi Press publishes and sells foreign language textbooks for Japanese universities (covering German, English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and other languages), the monthly CNN English Express magazine under license from CNN, and a broad line of general interest books in philosophy, science, humanities, and children's literature. The company also operates digital learning products including the u-CAT TOEIC e-learning system, E-DIC bilingual dictionary, Olive Green online English courses, and e-books distributed through major Japanese digital retailers.
Product overview
Asahi Press is a Japanese publishing company founded in 1962, offering a diverse portfolio of print and digital products. The company operates primarily through three channels: textbooks for university language education (German, English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, and other foreign languages), the flagship monthly magazine CNN English Express for English learning, and general books covering humanities, sciences, and practical topics. Digital offerings include e-books, the webzine 'あさひてらす', LINE official account content, online haiku learning platform 'おウチde俳句クラブ', and e-learning platforms u-CAT (for TOEIC preparation) and E-DIC (bilingual dictionary). The company also publishes Olive Green online English courses and EE BOOKS digital selections.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CNN ENGLISH EXPRESS: A monthly English learning magazine published in partnership with CNN, launched in April 1987, featuring news-based content for English language learning.
- u-CAT
- E-DIC
- Olive Green
Products and services
- CNN English Express (EE) A monthly English language learning magazine published under license from CNN, featuring news articles, interviews, and listening materials derived from CNN content for English skill development. Sold on subscription (approximately ¥1,466-1,540/month) to individual English learners in Japan.
- Language Textbooks (Textbooks) Textbooks for multiple foreign languages including English, German, French, Chinese, Spanish, and Korean, designed for university students and adopted at Japanese universities and high schools for language courses.
- 一般書 (General Books) General interest books covering philosophy, psychology, religion, education, history, social sciences, arts, natural sciences, health, cooking, hobbies, essays, business, children's books, and photo collections. Includes award-winning titles.
- 語学書 (Language Learning Books) Language learning publications including dictionaries, vocabulary, grammar, conversation, TOEIC preparation, listening, reading, writing, translation, business English, and news English materials for self-study.
- 電子書籍 (E-books) Digital versions of books and publications available for electronic reading devices, distributed through Kindle, Rakuten Kobo, BookLive, HONTO, Kinoppy, Reader Store, and Galapagos Store platforms.
- u-CAT TOEIC Preparation System TOEIC test preparation e-learning system developed in partnership with YBMsisa (Korea), available as CBT for mobile/PC and CAT for PC versions. Sold via perpetual license (e.g., Standard Practice Tests+ serial code at ¥4,180).
- E-DIC (デジタル辞書) Bilingual English-Japanese / Japanese-English dictionary available as CD-ROM, smartphone application, and serial number versions for individual English language users.
- Olive Green Online English Course Online English language learning course available in 1-month (¥1,100), 3-month (¥2,750), and 12-month (¥8,800) subscription plans (tax excluded).
- EE BOOKS Digital book platform offering selected content from CNN English Express publications as e-books for individual purchase and reading.
Companies that use （株）朝日出版社
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
（株）朝日出版社 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
（株）朝日出版社 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- CNN (Cable News Network)coreStrategic partnership established in April 1987 for CNN English Express magazine. Asahi Press licenses CNN news content to create English learning materials. The partnership provides authentic CNN news articles, videos, and audio content for English learners in Japan, making Asahi Press the official partner for CNN-based English education materials.
Scale indicators5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
（株）朝日出版社 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ALC Press (アルク): ALC is a Japanese English-learning publisher producing magazines, books, dictionaries, and digital learning tools. It directly competes with Asahi Press in the CNN EE subscription, English study books, and e-learning categories.
- Japan Times Publishing: Japan Times Publishing produces English-language news and English learning materials targeted at Japanese learners. It overlaps with Asahi Press's English learning content and authentic-news positioning.
- Berlitz Japan: Berlitz Japan provides language instruction, textbooks, and learning materials across many languages. It is a direct peer in multi-language learning content and distribution in the Japanese market.
- NHK Publishing (NHK出版): NHK Publishing publishes language learning magazines and textbooks tied to NHK broadcasting content, including English-language learning programs. It is a direct peer in broadcast-branded language learning publications.
- Hakusuisha (白水社): Hakusuisha is a Japanese publisher specializing in language textbooks and literature, with a strong catalog in French and other foreign languages. It competes directly with Asahi Press's university foreign-language textbook business.
- Kenkyusha (研究社): Kenkyusha publishes English-Japanese dictionaries, language learning materials, and academic journals including English-language scholarly publications. It is a direct peer in language learning publishing and reference works.
- Sanshusha (三修社): Sanshusha is a Japanese publisher specializing in language textbooks and language learning materials across multiple languages. It directly competes with Asahi Press's university and high school language textbook business.
Broad incumbents
- Obunsha (旺文社): Obunsha publishes high school and university study materials, language textbooks, dictionaries, and TOEIC/English exam prep books. It competes broadly with Asahi Press in K-12 and university language/English learning segments.
- Shogakukan (小学館): Shogakukan is one of Japan's largest general trade publishers, with extensive textbook, magazine, and book operations across many categories. It is a broad incumbent whose educational and general interest divisions overlap with Asahi Press's portfolio.
- Kodansha (講談社): Kodansha is a major Japanese publisher with general interest books, magazines, and educational content including the Kodansha Essay Prize. It is a broad incumbent whose awards programs and book publishing overlap with Asahi Press's general books division.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
（株）朝日出版社 social profiles
Digital presence（株）朝日出版社 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
（株）朝日出版社 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
（株）朝日出版社 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
（株）朝日出版社 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about （株）朝日出版社
What does （株）朝日出版社 do?
Asahi Press publishes and sells foreign language textbooks for Japanese universities (covering German, English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and other languages), the monthly CNN English Express magazine under license from CNN, and a broad line of general interest books in philosophy, science, humanities, and children's literature. The company also operates digital learning products including the u-CAT TOEIC e-learning system, E-DIC bilingual dictionary, Olive Green online English courses, and e-books distributed through major Japanese digital retailers.
When was （株）朝日出版社 founded?
（株）朝日出版社 was founded in 1962. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is （株）朝日出版社 based?
（株）朝日出版社 is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does （株）朝日出版社 make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Textbook Sales are the primary driver. The others are magazine Subscriptions (CNN English Express), general Books, digital Content and language Learning Materials.
Who are （株）朝日出版社's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ALC Press (アルク), Japan Times Publishing, Berlitz Japan, NHK Publishing (NHK出版), Hakusuisha (白水社), Kenkyusha (研究社) and Sanshusha (三修社). Broad incumbents are Obunsha (旺文社), Shogakukan (小学館) and Kodansha (講談社).
Does （株）朝日出版社 have an API?
No public API is recorded for （株）朝日出版社.
What industry is （株）朝日出版社 in?
（株）朝日出版社's product category is Educational Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAHAB, Grammar, Vocabulary & Pronunciation Materials, with a secondary code of EDAGABAE, Humanities (History, Philosophy, Literature, Languages). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.