What 学校図書（株） does

学校図書株式会社 (School Tosho Co., Ltd.) is a Tokyo-based K-9 textbook publisher founded on 20 May 1948 and now operating as a consolidated subsidiary of 数研出版 (Suken Publishing) following a 2021 restructuring. The company develops, produces, and supplies Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)-approved textbooks and accompanying learning materials for Japanese elementary schools in mathematics, science, and life environment studies, and for junior high schools in mathematics and science. Its operations are supported by a national footprint of nine offices — Chiyoda-ku (Tokyo) headquarters, Osaka (Amagasaki and Osaka-city sites), Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, and Fukuoka — with approximately 181 employees serving teachers, schools, and education committees across the country.

The product stack combines printed textbooks with complementary workbooks, teacher guides, the in-house 'Gakuto Plus' platform of QR-linked digital extensions, and the 'Mirai School Platform' for digital textbook delivery, aligned with the MEXT GIGA School Initiative. The company also publishes the TEADA educational journal, runs nationwide teacher training seminars, supplies programming education materials integrated into the national curriculum, produces large-print and accessibility editions of its textbooks, and operates a Web Shop for direct orders. School Tosho derives the bulk of its revenue from institutional textbook adoption cycles (multi-year MEXT cycles) priced per copy to schools and education committees, supplemented by workbooks, supplementary materials, training, and direct Web Shop sales to individuals.

School Tosho's international activity is centered on a long-standing partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to develop and supply English-translated mathematics textbooks for Papua New Guinea, with broader Asia cooperation work led from the parent group. The broader competitive position is defined by regulatory approval for MEXT-vetted textbooks, a multi-decade content library, and physical reach across Japanese school markets; growth levers sit in digital content upsell, accessibility and programming product extensions, and continued overseas curriculum export under group and JICA auspices.

Name

学校図書（株）

Legal name

学校図書株式会社

Website

https://gakuto.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Short description

学校図書株式会社 is a Tokyo-based K-9 textbook publisher, established in 1948 and now part of the 数研出版 (Suken Publishing) Group, producing MEXT-approved mathematics, science, and life environment textbooks, workbooks, digital platforms, and supplementary learning materials for Japanese elementary and junior high schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Educational Textbook Publishing

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Core Subject Textbooks (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) (EDAGAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Textbook Publishing (Core Curriculum) (MPAJABAA), Digital/Blended K–12 Courseware & Interactive Textbooks (EDAGAAAJ)

Keywords

• School textbook publishing
• K-12 STEM materials
• Digital textbooks
• Teacher professional development
• Educational publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo (千代田区)

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Digital Textbook Sales: Digital textbooks sold under the Ministry of Education's 'Digital Textbook Introduction Project', with L-Gate and まなびポケット integration for school systems.
2. Textbook Publishing and Sales: Publishing and distribution of Ministry of Education-approved textbooks for elementary school (算数, 理科, 生活) and middle school (数学, 理科). Revenue is generated through direct sales to schools and school districts that adopt the textbooks.
3. Web Shop Direct Sales: Direct-to-consumer online sales through the Gakuto Web Shop (https://gakuto.co.jp/webshop/), selling supplementary books, translated textbooks, and educational materials to teachers and individual buyers. Supports credit card, convenience store, and PayPay payments.
4. Teacher's Guidebooks and Supplementary Materials: Sales of teacher's guidebooks (指導書), enlarged textbooks, printable worksheets, and teaching support materials sold directly or through school procurement channels.
5. Seminar and Event Fees: Revenue from teacher seminars and professional development events (GAKUTO算数セミナー, 理数大好きセミナー) with registration fees ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 yen per participant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

学校図書株式会社 publishes Ministry of Education-approved school textbooks for Japanese elementary schools (mathematics, science, and life studies) and middle schools (mathematics and science). The company also offers digital textbooks via the proprietary Mirai School Platform, large-print accessibility editions, programming education content, downloadable worksheets and assessment materials, English-translated math textbooks, supplementary teacher books, paid nationwide teacher seminars, and a consumer-facing Web Shop. Since 2021, it has operated as part of the 数研出版グループ (Suken Publishing Group).

Product overview

学校도서 주식회사 (Gakuto Tosho) is a long-established Japanese textbook publishing company founded in 1948, now part of the Sūken Publishing Group since 2021. Its core product portfolio centers on Ministry of Education-approved textbooks for Japanese elementary and middle schools, specifically in mathematics, science, and life studies (Elementary 1–6), and mathematics and science (Middle School 1–3). These are sold under the unified 'みんなとまなぶ' and 'みんなと学ぶ' brand. Supplementary offerings include enlarged-print textbooks for students with visual impairments; digital textbooks accessed via the proprietary 'みらいスクールプラットフォーム' (Mirai School Platform); programming education content integrated into math and science curricula; English-translated mathematics textbooks (MATHEMATICS for Elementary School, Grades 1–6); and teacher support materials such as year-round practice worksheets (算数ねんおしプリント), observation experiment worksheets, 10-minute tests, evaluation question banks, and life studies card sets. The company also publishes professional development books for teachers (e.g., on science lesson design and zoo-based education), an educational information magazine TEADA, and organizes nationwide teacher seminars. A consumer-facing Web Shop handles book sales directly.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 小学校教科書 (Elementary School Textbooks — 算数・理科・生活) Ministry of Education-approved textbooks for Japanese elementary schools covering mathematics (Grades 1-6), science (Grades 3-6), and life studies (Grades 1-2), sold to schools through the national adoption (採択) system.
• 中学校教科書 (Middle School Textbooks — 数学・理科) Ministry of Education-approved textbooks for Japanese middle schools covering mathematics (Math 1-3) and science (Science 1-3), sold to schools through the national adoption system.
• 拡大教科書 (Large-Print Textbooks) Enlarged-print editions of textbooks (30pt for grades 1-3, 26pt for grades 4-6) in A4 format for students with visual impairments, available for mathematics, science, and life studies.
• デジタル教科書 (Digital Textbooks via Mirai School Platform) Digital versions of ministry-approved mathematics and science textbooks for elementary and middle schools, accessible via the proprietary Mirai School Platform, with sticky-note functionality and shared-drive image saving, distributed under the Ministry of Education's Digital Textbook Introduction Project.
• プログラミング教材 (Programming Education Materials) Programming education content integrated into elementary mathematics textbooks across all grades (Grades 1-6) and science textbooks (Grade 6), using free web-based software for LED blinking and traffic signal programming activities, accessible via the Gakuto Plus website and QR codes in digital textbooks.
• 算数ねんおしプリント (Year-Round Math Practice Printouts) Year-round practice printout worksheets for elementary mathematics (Grades 1-6), organized by unit with problems and answer sheets available as PDFs for each volume.
• 観察・実験ワークシート / 10分テスト / 観点別評価問題 (Science Supplementary Materials) Elementary science supplementary materials including observation and experiment worksheets, 10-minute tests, and criteria-based assessment questions, organized by grade level (Grades 3-6).
• 生活科カード (Life Studies Cards) Downloadable worksheet cards for elementary life studies covering topics such as school exploration, morning glory observation, nature observation, and interview activities, available in PDF format with various line spacing options.
• 算数教科書英訳本 MATHEMATICS for Elementary School (English-Translated Math Textbooks) Official English translations of the Reiwa 6 edition elementary mathematics textbooks (Grades 1-6), available in upper and lower volumes, suitable for immersion education, mathematics education, and English language teaching. Prices range from ¥810 to ¥3,700 depending on volume and grade.
• 動物園教育で子どもたちと対話しよう！ Educational book on zoo-based dialogue education for sustainability (B5, 144 pages, ISBN 978-4-7625-0255-2), featuring over 20 practical examples from Japanese zoos and aquariums, sold at ¥1,980 (tax-included). Author: 松本 朱実.
• 子どもの考えから始める理科授業のデザイン Teacher resource book on designing science lessons based on children's thinking, introducing the Teaching-Learning Process Map methodology (B5, 168 pages, ISBN 978-4-7625-0254-5), sold at ¥2,200 (tax-included). Authors: 小野瀬 倫也, 佐藤 寛之, 森本 信也.
• GAKUTO算数セミナー / 理数大好きセミナー / 先生応援プロジェクト (Teacher Seminars) Paid teacher professional development seminars including GAKUTO Mathematics Seminars (算数セミナー), Science and Math Love Seminars (理数大好きセミナー), and Teacher Support Project online lectures (先生応援プロジェクト), held across Japan featuring prominent educators, with registration fees ranging from ¥1,000 to ¥4,000 per participant (¥5,000 for full passports).

Quantifiable outcome

• Publishes ministry-approved textbooks for elementary school (算数・理科・生活) and middle school (数学・理科), covering the full range of core STEM subjects
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016学校図書 has been actively participating in JICA projects since 2016, supporting Papua New Guinea's education reform. The company has cooperated in developing national mathematics textbooks for grades 3-6, as well as co-developing textbooks for grades 1-2 mathematics and science subjects.
• 株式会社チャート研究所 (Chart Institute Co., Ltd.)minorOthersRelated company within the 数研出版 Group, listed as an affiliated company of 学校図書.
• 数研出版株式会社 (Sugaku Publishing Co., Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of the 数研出版 Group. In 2021, 学校図書 joined this publishing group, gaining access to a broader educational publishing ecosystem, cross-promotional distribution channels, and shared resources for STEM education initiatives.
• 一般財団法人学校教育研究所 (Gakkō Kyōiku Kenkyūjo)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by 学校図書 in 1956, this general incorporated foundation conducts research on school education issues and supports the development of Japan's elementary education. It was restructured into a general incorporated association and serves as an intellectual resource for the company.
• 数研图书株式会社 (Sugken Tosho Co., Ltd.)minorOthersRelated company within the 数研出版 Group, listed as an affiliated company of 学校図書.
• ビーエス書籍管理株式会社 (BS Seikatsu Kanri Co., Ltd.)minorOthersRelated company within the 数研出版 Group, listed as an affiliated company of 学校図書.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• 東京書籍 (Tokyo Shoseki): Japan's largest K-12 textbook publisher, covering all subjects including mathematics and science at elementary and middle school levels. Direct competitor in the same Ministry-approved textbook adoption system with overlapping math and science franchises.
• 大日本図書 (Dai Nippon Tosho): Specialized K-12 textbook publisher with a curriculum focus similar to Gakuto Tosho's, particularly strong in mathematics and science. Direct competitor in the same Ministry-approved math/science adoption segments.
• 啓林館 (Keirinkan): Long-established K-12 textbook publisher with a particularly strong mathematics franchise at both elementary and middle school levels. Direct competitor in math adoption cycles and the most analogous pure-math/science peer to Gakuto Tosho.
• 数研出版 (Suken Publishing): Parent group of Gakuto Tosho since 2021 and a major publisher of mathematics textbooks for high schools and other STEM educational materials. Directly comparable in math textbook publishing with parent-subsidiary operational linkage.
• 光村図書出版 (Mitsumura Tosho): Major Japanese K-12 textbook publisher with strong franchises in language arts and other subjects. Competes with Gakuto Tosho in the same Ministry-approved textbook adoption system serving elementary and middle schools.
• 教育出版 (Kyoiku Shuppan): K-12 textbook publisher with a focus on elementary and middle school subjects, including mathematics and science. Direct competitor in the textbook adoption system with similar subject coverage.
• 日本文教出版 (Nihon Bunkyo Shuppan): Publisher of approved textbooks for elementary and middle schools with strength in health/physical education and other subjects. Operates within the same Ministry-approved textbook adoption system as Gakuto Tosho.

Broad incumbents

• 学研 (Gakken): Large diversified educational publisher offering textbooks, supplementary learning materials, classroom magazines, and educational books across all K-12 subjects. Broader portfolio than Gakuto Tosho but overlapping in teacher resources and supplementary materials.
• Benesse Corporation: Major Japanese education company operating across K-12 publishing, supplementary learning, and education services including the popular Shogakukan-affiliated school distribution channels. Overlaps with Gakuto Tosho in supplementary educational materials and teacher support content.

Others

• 内田洋行 (Uchida Yoko): Provider of the L-Gate learning e-portal, integrated with Gakuto Tosho's digital textbooks via LTI. A distribution and platform partner rather than direct competitor, but its strategic role in the MEXT Digital Textbook Introduction Project means its trajectory directly affects Gakuto Tosho's digital revenue capture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 学校図書（株）