The Institute for International Business Communication

What The Institute for International Business Communication does

The Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC, 一般財団法人) is a Japanese general incorporated foundation headquartered in Nakano, Tokyo, that serves as the exclusive Japanese licensee of Educational Testing Service (ETS) for the TOEIC Program. Through seven test centers across Japan and a corporate IP Program that delivers in-company test administration, IIBC administers the TOEIC Listening & Reading, Speaking & Writing, Speaking Test, and TOEIC Bridge assessments to individual candidates and corporate clients, while also distributing official TOEIC textbooks, e-learning subscriptions, mobile applications, and the IIBC English Cafe in the Metaverse (built on the Cluster platform). The foundation's revenue is generated from per-test fees (¥7,810 for L&R; ¥12,650 for S&W and Speaking Test), textbook and study-material sales, recurring e-learning and app subscriptions, and corporate IP Program contracts; it does not publicly disclose its financials. Governance rests with Chairman Fujisawa Hiroatsu (藤沢 裕厚), and IIBC operates with a lean staff of approximately nine employees, outsourcing the bulk of test-center and publishing operations while retaining brand stewardship and licensing oversight.

Name

The Institute for International Business Communication

Legal name

一般財団法人 国際ビジネスコミュニケーション協会

Website

https://toeic.or.jp

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IIBC is the exclusive Japanese licensee of ETS's TOEIC Program, administering TOEIC tests through seven nationwide centers and a corporate IP Program while publishing official textbooks, e-learning, and metaverse learning products for individual and corporate English learners in Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

English Language Proficiency Testing

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Language Assessment, Placement Testing & Proficiency Certification Tools (EDAFAOAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Language Proficiency Exam Prep (CEFR, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, PTE) (EDANACAD), English Proficiency & International Admissions Exams (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo) Prep (EDANABAC), Language Proficiency & Citizenship/Immigration Testing Authorities (EDADAFAF)

Keywords

• English proficiency testing
• Standardized assessment services
• Language learning materials
• Test administration services
• Educational certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Test Administration Fees: Revenue from administering TOEIC tests including Listening & Reading, Speaking & Writing, Speaking, and Bridge tests. Fees vary by test type and include options for paper and digital certificates.
2. Official Study Materials and Publications: Sale of official TOEIC textbooks, practice tests, and preparatory materials.
3. Official e-Learning Programs: Online learning courses including TOEIC L&R Official e-Learning with subscription pricing (1-month to 12-month courses).
4. Mobile Learning Apps: Official TOEIC content app and TOEIC Pal speaking practice app with in-app purchases.
5. Corporate/Institutional Testing (IP Program): Group testing programs for corporations and educational institutions with customized arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IIBC administers the TOEIC Program in Japan under exclusive license from ETS, offering five standardized English proficiency test formats: TOEIC Listening & Reading Test, TOEIC Speaking & Writing Tests, TOEIC Speaking Test, and TOEIC Bridge Tests for beginners/intermediates. The organization complements testing with official study materials, e-learning courses, mobile applications, and the IIBC English Cafe in Metaverse for English practice.

Product overview

IIBC (The Institute for International Business Communication / 一般財団法人国際ビジネスコミュニケーション協会) operates the TOEIC Program in Japan as a multi-product portfolio centered on English language proficiency testing and learning support. The core product line consists of five distinct TOEIC test formats: (1) TOEIC Listening & Reading Test (L&R) — a 200-question paper-based/list形式 test priced at 7,810 JPY (with paper certificate) or 7,700 JPY (digital only); (2) TOEIC Speaking & Writing Tests (S&W) — priced at 10,450 JPY (13,200 JPY in the late application period); (3) TOEIC Speaking Test (standalone) — priced at 6,930 JPY; (4) TOEIC Bridge Listening & Reading Tests — for beginner/intermediate learners at 4,950 JPY; (5) TOEIC Bridge Speaking & Writing Tests — priced at 9,350 JPY. Supporting the test products, IIBC offers an official TOEIC content smartphone app (iOS/Android) hosting over 60 free English Upgrader audio episodes, the Day to Day Go! speaking practice series, and daily updated phrase quizzes; an official textbook/practice book line; official e-learning platforms (1–12 month courses); and the TOEIC Pal speaking practice app. Beyond testing, the portfolio includes the IIBC English Cafe in Metaverse (a virtual English practice space on the cluster platform), student essay and speech contests, the IIBC NEWSLETTER, the IIBC AWARD OF EXCELLENCE recognition program, English education research grants, and an overseas internship support system — all positioned under the global human resources development (グローバル人材育成) pillar.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IIBC Award of Excellence: Recognition system for outstanding achievements related to TOEIC tests.
• IIBC高校生英語エッセイコンテスト
• IIBC大学生英語スピーチコンテスト

Products and services

• TOEIC Listening & Reading Test 200-question standardized English proficiency test measuring listening and reading comprehension skills for working professionals, university students, and job seekers. Priced at 7,810 JPY (with paper certificate) or 7,700 JPY (digital-only).
• TOEIC Speaking & Writing Tests Standardized assessment measuring English speaking and writing abilities for professionals and students requiring comprehensive productive English skills evaluation. Priced at 10,450 JPY (13,200 JPY for late registration).
• TOEIC Speaking Test Standalone speaking skills assessment for individuals needing to demonstrate English oral proficiency. Priced at 6,930 JPY (8,745 JPY for late registration).
• TOEIC Bridge Listening & Reading Tests Beginner and intermediate-level English proficiency test measuring listening and reading skills, targeted at learners not yet at standard TOEIC level. Priced at 4,950 JPY.
• TOEIC Bridge Speaking & Writing Tests Beginner and intermediate-level test measuring English speaking and writing skills. Priced at 9,350 JPY.
• Official TOEIC Smartphone App Free official TOEIC smartphone application providing test schedules, official announcements, English Upgrader audio learning series, daily quizzes, and speaking practice content for test-takers.
• Official e-Learning (TOEIC L&R / TOEIC L&R Basic) Official online learning platform for TOEIC Listening & Reading test preparation, offered as 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month subscription courses. Pricing ranges from 10,780 JPY to 49,500 JPY (tax included).
• Official TOEIC Textbooks and Practice Books Officially published TOEIC preparation textbooks and practice books developed or endorsed by IIBC for English-language proficiency test preparation.
• TOEIC Pal Speaking Practice App Official mobile speaking practice application for TOEIC speaking test preparation with subscription pricing (1-month at 5,830 JPY, 3-month at 13,970 JPY, 6-month at 24,200 JPY).
• IIBC English Cafe in Metaverse Virtual English practice environment hosted on the cluster metaverse platform featuring English-only conversation areas, self-study space, photo spots, and skills-themed activities with periodic offline meetups with native instructors.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Japan-U.S. Society (日米協会)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIIBC provides endorsement and support for student-organized English speech contests and other educational programs organized by the Japan-U.S. Society.
• Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN (トビタテ！留学JAPAN)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEndorsement program supporting study abroad initiatives for Japanese students, with IIBC providing promotional support and potentially preferential testing arrangements.
• Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation (漢検協会)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research collaboration on logical language usage ability between IIBC and the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation (announced June 2026).

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Kaplan International: Operates English language training and test preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC prep). Competes with IIBC's e-learning and TOEIC Pal prep offerings while also serving as a TOEIC-prep channel in Japan and globally.
• Duolingo: Operates the Duolingo English Test, an at-home, AI-proctored alternative to TOEIC/IELTS/TOEFL, plus the Duolingo language-learning app that competes with IIBC's English Upgrader and TOEIC Pal apps. A digitally-native emerging player in both testing and learning.

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: Global language training and assessment provider offering its own EF Standard English Test alongside immersive learning programs. Competes with IIBC in both the learning content (English Upgrader/e-learning) and English assessment categories.
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): Developer and global licensor of the TOEIC Program and creator of TOEFL. ETS is both IIBC's exclusive licensor and the broader testing organization whose products compete globally with TOEIC for English proficiency assessment market share.
• Pearson: Owner of PTE Academic, a competing computer-based English proficiency test accepted for admissions and immigration. Pearson is a broad incumbent with assessment, publishing, and learning capabilities that compete across IIBC's adjacent categories.

Direct peers

• Cambridge University Press & Assessment: Administers Cambridge English qualifications (e.g., B2 First, C1 Advanced) accepted by employers and universities worldwide. A direct competitor in standardized English proficiency certification, particularly strong in academic and immigration contexts.
• Eiken Foundation of Japan (日本英語検定協会): Japan's domestic English proficiency testing body administering the Eiken test across grades. The most direct Japan-based competitor to TOEIC for student and professional English certification within the Japanese market.
• British Council: Co-owner and administrator of IELTS, a direct competitor to TOEIC for English proficiency certification used for university admissions, employment, and immigration across global markets including Japan.
• IDP Education: Co-owner and administrator of IELTS, operating IELTS test centers in Japan and globally. Directly competes with TOEIC for the same English proficiency testing use cases among students and professionals.

Others

• Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation (漢検協会): A Japanese testing foundation with whom IIBC has a joint research collaboration on logical language usage. Not a direct competitor, but a relevant peer in the Japanese domestic language testing/assessment space that operates a similar non-profit testing model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TOEIC_japan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfPU2tEl4olaMu4IImE-Q0Q
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-institute-for-international-business-communication

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 The Institute for International Business Communication