CrossMedia Group Inc.
CrossMedia Group is a Tokyo-based private holding company that operates a business-book publishing arm (~120 titles/year, 1,000+ titles cumulative) and applies its 20-year editorial methodology to corporate marketing services, ZERO GYM fatigue-recovery studios, a writing school, and DTC products for Japanese consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersTokyo (Shibuya-ku), Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What CrossMedia Group Inc. does
CrossMedia Group Inc. (クロスメディアグループ株式会社) is a Tokyo-based private holding company founded in October 2005 (holding-company structure formed September 2020) that operates a portfolio of editorial-led content businesses grouped under a single 'editorial power' (編集力) doctrine the company labels 'Editing 4.0'. The group's core operating subsidiaries are CrossMedia Publishing (business-book publishing, ~120 titles/year, 1,000+ titles and 8M+ cumulative copies since 2005), CrossMedia Marketing (book-centric corporate marketing services for lead generation and recruitment), CrossMedia Digital (website and owned-media design), Business Life / ZERO GYM (fatigue-recovery gyms and corporate wellness — 15 branches including São Paulo), and CrossMedia Language (language textbook publishing). Revenue is generated across multiple models: one-off book sales, professional-services contracts for corporate marketing and Office Library programs, subscription/membership at ZERO GYM, tuition at the six-month Crossmedia Writing School, and DTC product sales for the Tsundoku Holder and the Concentration Support Cushion. Distribution spans bookstore chains, Amazon Japan, Rakuten, the company's own Crossmedia Shop, Makuake crowdfunding, and four hometown-tax portals, with marketing reach extended through CrossMedian owned media, the Industry Business YouTube channel (50,000+ subscribers within approximately one year), and Nikkei newspaper advertising.
Underlying technology is light but deliberate: the company claims proprietary in-house AI tools deployed across editorial and sales workflows and surfaces AI-assisted writing in its Writing School curriculum, but no patents, named models, or third-party benchmarks are disclosed. The business is founder-controlled (Representative Director Koichiro Kobayakawa, founding CEO since inception) with no disclosed external investment, no public listing, and 20 consecutive years of profitable operations. Group capital is ¥226M (¥270M including capital reserves) across six group companies. The customer base is split between Japanese enterprise buyers of marketing and wellness services (Visa Worldwide Japan disclosed as a repeat ZERO GYM client), individual business-book readers, ZERO GYM members, and DTC product consumers, with recent expansion into Spanish-language publishing for Latin America.
CrossMedia Group Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CrossMedia Group Inc.
- Legal name
- クロスメディアグループ株式会社
- Website
- https://cm-group.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CrossMedia Group is a Tokyo-based private holding company that operates a business-book publishing arm (~120 titles/year, 1,000+ titles cumulative) and applies its 20-year editorial methodology to corporate marketing services, ZERO GYM fatigue-recovery studios, a writing school, and DTC products for Japanese consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CrossMedia Group Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Publishing and Marketing Services
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lifestyle, Travel & Leisure Books Publishing (MPAJAAAH)
Keywords
Where CrossMedia Group Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo (Shibuya-ku)
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
CrossMedia Group Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Publishing (Book Sales): Revenue from publishing and selling business books through bookstores, online retailers, and direct channels. The company publishes ~120 business books annually and has published 1,000+ titles with cumulative sales of 8 million+ copies. This is the core revenue driver.
- Corporate Marketing Support Services: Book marketing-centric services combining print, digital, and real-world media to provide one-stop marketing solutions for corporate clients, including lead generation and recruitment marketing.
- ZERO GYM Membership and Corporate Wellness Programs: Fatigue recovery gym memberships for individuals and corporate wellness training programs delivered on-site at client companies (e.g., Visa Worldwide Japan). Revenue from gym memberships and corporate training fees.
- Writing School Tuition: Revenue from the CrossMedia Writing School, a 10-session, 6-month program that teaches business content writing and AI-assisted writing. Tuition-based model with career support and project referrals for graduates.
- Office Library Service: Corporate library services where editors curate book collections for office spaces, including space design, book rotation, and reading promotion programs. Customized to each client's organizational needs.
- Product Sales (Tsundoku Holder and Merchandise): Sale of physical products including the Tsundoku Holder (book stand, 4,980 JPY excl. tax) and the Concentrated Cushion (portable posture support cushion). Distributed through Amazon, own shop, bookstores, and crowdfunding platforms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tsundoku Holder — single unit retail price |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Concentrated Cushion — Makuake crowdfunding prices |
| Subscription | Annual | Recruitment/Salary ranges for full-time employees |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Office Library Service — custom corporate quotation |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Writing School — 10-session comprehensive course |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
CrossMedia Group Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CrossMedia Group publishes approximately 120 business books per year (1,000+ titles, 8 million+ cumulative copies sold) and leverages its editorial capabilities to provide corporate marketing support, design services, and active health programs (including ZERO GYM fatigue recovery gyms and corporate wellness training). It also operates the Crossmedia Writing School, an Office Library corporate service, and sells consumer products such as the Tsundoku Holder.
Product overview
CrossMedia Group Inc. is a comprehensive content company organized into five main divisions: Publishing (クロスメディア・パブリッシング), Marketing (クロスメディア・マーケティング), Digital (クロスメディア・デジタル), Active Health (ゼロディズ), and Language Publishing (クロスメディア・ランゲージ). The company originated as a business book publisher in 2005 and has expanded to offer marketing support services, digital design, and active health/fitness businesses. Key products include the Publishing Division's business books (1,000+ titles, ~120 books/year), the Industry Business Series book lineup and its companion YouTube channel (業界ビジネスチャンネル, 50K+ subscribers), the Crossmedia Writing School for professional writer training, the Office Library corporate wellness service, and physical products such as the Tsundoku Holder (10,000+ units sold) and Concentration Support Cushion. The Active Health division operates ZERO GYM fatigue recovery gyms in Japan and Brazil, while the Marketing division provides one-stop corporate marketing solutions centered on book marketing. The group operates owned media properties (クロスメディアン) and recruitment sites as supporting platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ZERO GYM (ゼロジム): 従業員疲弊回復專用ジム。瞑想や自重トレーニングを組み合わせた独自のプログラムを提供。
- 業界ビジネスチャンネル
- クロスメディア・ライティングスクール
- オフィスライブラリーサービス
- 集中を支えるクッション
- 積読ホルダー (Tsumdoku Holder)
Products and services
- Business Book Publishing (CrossMedia Publishing) Publishing of business books and practical guides for working professionals; produces ~120 books annually with a track record of multiple bestsellers across categories such as marketing, management, and industry insights.
- Corporate Marketing Support Services (CrossMedia Marketing) One-stop corporate marketing solutions anchored in book marketing, addressing lead generation, employer branding, content strategy, and recruitment marketing for Japanese corporations.
- ZERO GYM (Fatigue Recovery Gym) Fatigue recovery gym chain offering individual memberships and on-site corporate wellness programs (e.g., breathing and mindfulness sessions) for business professionals, with locations in Tokyo (Shibuya HQ, Shinjuku) and São Paulo, Brazil.
- Office Library Service Corporate in-office library service where CrossMedia's editors curate customized book collections, set up shelves and space design, rotate titles, and run reading events and author visits for client companies.
- Crossmedia Writing School 6-month, 10-session writing program covering business content writing and AI-assisted writing, taught by working editors and writers with individual feedback, community access, and post-graduation project referrals.
- Industry Business Series (Book Series) Industry-focused book series (e.g., fish business, movie business, consulting business) authored by industry practitioners; multiple titles have become bestsellers.
- Tsundoku Holder A desktop book stacking and organization accessory for readers with accumulated unread books, featuring a 3-tier shelf and special magnet; priced at 4,980 JPY excluding tax, in Black, Gray Beige, and Light Blue.
- Concentration Support Cushion (集中を支えるクッション) Portable high-rebound posture-support cushion designed for study or reading, made with upcycled bedding materials and a breathable mesh cover; Makuake prices ranged from 5,850 JPY (super early bird) to 11,100 JPY for a 2-unit set, including tax and shipping.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,000+ book titles published with 8 million+ cumulative copies sold
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CrossMedia Group Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
CrossMedia Group Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration14 records
AI capability2 records
Feature1 record
CrossMedia Group Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Trendmers Corporation (トレンダーズ株式会社)minorCrossMedia is providing full production and operational support for Trendmers' beauty innovation brand 'ampule's' 5th anniversary podcast series 'Empower J-Beauty.' CrossMedia applies its editorial and production capabilities to the podcast's concept design through editing.
- Nikkei Inc. (株式会社日本経済新聞社)minorCrossMedia Group purchased advertising space in the Nikkei morning newspaper for book promotion (January 1, 2026 ad placement). Also purchased ad space for 20th anniversary announcement and Industry Business Series promotion.
- Sawada Menko (澤田棉行)minorA century-old textile company founded in 1880, partnered with CrossMedia Publishing to co-develop the 'Concentrated Cushion.' Sawada Menko supplies upcycled bedding materials for the cushion, addressing Japan's 2% textile recycling rate.
- HR EXPO (第16回 HR EXPO 春)minorCrossMedia exhibited the Office Library Service at HR EXPO (June 25–27, 2025) at Tokyo Big Sight East Hall 5, booth 41-14, to promote the corporate library service to HR professionals.
- Kashima Antlers FC (鹿島アントラーズFC)minorCrossMedia Group joined the Kashima Antlers FC Business Club to support regional revitalization through sports and expand business opportunities. The company is also affiliated with the club's home stadium area (near National Stadium).
- Sakana no Kai ( 一般社団法人さかなの会)minorCo-organized the 'Nippon Fish Business EXPO 2026' event with Sakana no Kai (nagasaqi Issei as representative). The EXPO, based on the published book '魚ビジネス,' has grown into a cross-industry platform with ~360 attendees.
- Minato Ward Industrial Promotion Center (港区立産業振興センター)minorCo-host venue for the Nippon Fish Business EXPO 2025/2026 events. Co-organized with Sakana no Kai.
- Japan Sustainable Restaurant Association (（一社）日本サステナブル・レストラン協会)minorCo-sponsored the Nippon Fish Business EXPO 2025 as a supporting organization.
- Nishinippon Television (FBS) / Nagasaki IchseiminorCrossMedia supported the 'Nippon Fish Business EXPO 2026' organized by author/TV personality Nagasaki Issei (narrator on FBS). The event drew 360 attendees.
- CrossMedia Publishing Co., Ltd. (株式会社クロスメディア・パブリッシング)coreThe founding company of the group, established October 2005 as the core publishing business. Publishes business books and drives the editorial brand of the group. Led by CEO Koichiro Kobayakawa. Part of the consolidated group structure.
- Business Life Co., Ltd. (株式会社ビジネスライフ)minorEstablished January 2017 to support business professional performance enhancement, closely related to the active health business.
- CrossMedia Language Co., Ltd. (株式会社クロスメディア・ランゲージ)minorLanguage book publisher established November 2014 as a group company to expand into language learning content publishing.
- Impress Corporation (株式会社インプレス)minorBusiness partnership established August 2008 as a partner company for publishing business expansion. CrossMedia Publishing books are distributed/sold through Impress channels.
- CrossMedia Marketing Co., Ltd. (株式会社クロスメディア・マーケティング)coreEstablished February 2008 to provide corporate publishing and marketing support services. Offers book marketing-centric services combining print, digital, and real-world media. Kansai branch opened October 2016. Part of consolidated group.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CrossMedia Group Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Dentsu Inc. Largest Japanese advertising and marketing services group. Comparable to CrossMedia Marketing's B2B marketing services offering but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
- Kadokawa Corporation: Largest diversified Japanese publisher across books, manga, magazines, and digital media. Overlaps with CrossMedia Publishing but operates at much larger scale and broader category coverage.
- Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. Major Japanese HR, marketing, and information services conglomerate serving corporate clients across recruitment and branding. Comparable to CrossMedia Marketing's lead-generation and employer-branding focus at much larger scale.
Direct peers
- Toyo Keizai Inc. Long-established Japanese business and economics publisher operating books, magazines, and digital media. Comparable in targeting the same business professional readership that drives CrossMedia's book sales and marketing services.
- Nikkei BP: Subsidiary of Nikkei Inc. publishing business books, magazines, and digital content. Comparable in business book output scale and B2B audience development, and is a natural distribution/advertising partner for CrossMedia titles.
- PHP Institute, Inc. Japanese business and management book publisher known for thought-leadership titles and seminar/conference extensions. Comparable to CrossMedia Publishing's editorial positioning and B2B corporate marketing approach.
- Diamond, Inc. Major Japanese business book and magazine publisher with deep author networks and bestseller track record. Closely comparable to CrossMedia Publishing's trade book output and corporate marketing extensions.
- Shoeisha Co., Ltd. Business and IT book publisher that awarded its inaugural Marketing Book Award 2025 Grand Prize to a CrossMedia-published title. Directly comparable in business/IT book publishing and adjacent to CrossMedia's marketing services practice.
Others
- Benesse Holdings, Inc. Major Japanese education and publishing group covering K-12, lifelong learning, and corporate education services. Comparable to CrossMedia's Writing School and Office Library Service offerings in the corporate/student education market.
Regional players
- Fast Fitness Japan Inc. Operates the Anytime Fitness franchise in Japan, a chain of compact fitness facilities for busy professionals. Comparable in wellness/fitness business model to CrossMedia's ZERO GYM fatigue-recovery gym chain, though positioned for general fitness rather than corporate recovery programming.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CrossMedia Group Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceCrossMedia Group Inc. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CrossMedia Group Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CrossMedia Group Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
CrossMedia Group Inc. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
CrossMedia Group Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CrossMedia Group Inc. 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 CrossMedia Group Inc.
What does CrossMedia Group Inc. do?
CrossMedia Group publishes approximately 120 business books per year (1,000+ titles, 8 million+ cumulative copies sold) and leverages its editorial capabilities to provide corporate marketing support, design services, and active health programs (including ZERO GYM fatigue recovery gyms and corporate wellness training). It also operates the Crossmedia Writing School, an Office Library corporate service, and sells consumer products such as the Tsundoku Holder.
Is CrossMedia Group Inc. a public or private company?
CrossMedia Group Inc. is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was CrossMedia Group Inc. founded?
CrossMedia Group Inc. was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CrossMedia Group Inc. based?
CrossMedia Group Inc. is headquartered in Tokyo (Shibuya-ku), Japan, in the Asia region.
How does CrossMedia Group Inc. make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Publishing (Book Sales) is the primary driver. The others are corporate Marketing Support Services, ZERO GYM Membership and Corporate Wellness Programs, writing School Tuition, office Library Service and product Sales (Tsundoku Holder and Merchandise).
Who are CrossMedia Group Inc.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Dentsu Inc., Kadokawa Corporation and Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.. Direct peers are Toyo Keizai Inc., Nikkei BP, PHP Institute, Inc., Diamond, Inc. and Shoeisha Co., Ltd.. Benesse Holdings, Inc. is listed as an others. Fast Fitness Japan Inc. is listed as a regional player.
Does CrossMedia Group Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for CrossMedia Group Inc..
What industry is CrossMedia Group Inc. in?
CrossMedia Group Inc.'s product category is Publishing and Marketing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAAAH, Lifestyle, Travel & Leisure Books Publishing. Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.