Gakken

What Gakken does

Gakken Inc. (株式会社学研) is a privately held Japanese comprehensive educational publishing group, founded in 1946 by Hideo Furukawa and currently operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gakken Holdings (株式会社学研ホールディングス, established 2009). Headquartered at 2-11-8 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, the company operates six reported business segments: Publishing & Content, Global, Medical/Nursing Publishing Content, Kindergarten/School/Adult Education, E-Commerce & Online, and Advertising. Its core competency is educational content development and pedagogy across the full learning lifecycle from infancy through professional education.

Gakken's revenue mechanics span multiple streams: consumer publishing (books, magazines, picture books such as the ほんとのおおきさ series with 40M+ domestic copies and ぴよちゃん with 2.7M+ copies), B2B sales of ICT solutions and materials to approximately 40,000 kindergartens and nursery schools nationwide through 300+ specialized sales agencies (operated via subsidiary Gakken Education Mirai), digital subscriptions (Gakken Prime Seminar, Kosodate Map), advertising across magazine and web media, and medical/nursing publishing via Gakken Mesh. Notable technology products include the Kids Board ICT learning tablet (¥118,000/unit), the 園ぴょう太 cloud-based kindergarten management system co-developed with Hitachi Systems (¥472,500 setup, ¥15,750/month), and the hugnote childcare communication app distributed through a partnership with hugmo (SoftBank subsidiary). The company holds PrivacyMark certification (JIS Q 15001) since 2019 and Health Management Excellence Corporation recognition.

Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce (gakken-mall.jp, hon.gakken.jp), direct B2B sales through the 300+ agency network, university direct outreach for career education products, and international licensing to publishers in China, Korea, Russia, Thailand, and Spain. English-language brain development workbooks (Go Go Series) are distributed in North America through Nippan America into Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and specialty retailers. The company is led by President and Representative Director Tatsuya Nanjō (南條 達也).

Name

Gakken

Legal name

株式会社学研

Website

https://corp-gakken.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Gakken is a Japanese comprehensive educational publishing group producing books, workbooks, magazines, ICT solutions, and cloud services for children, students, professionals, and ~40,000 kindergartens/nursery schools through a 300+ agency nationwide sales network, with international licensing across 9+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Publishing

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Book Printing (2732), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Educational & Curriculum Publishing (MPAJAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

K–12 Digital Curriculum & Interactive Lessons (EDAGAEAA), Student Information Systems (SIS) & School Administration Platforms (EDAJAMAB), Test & Exam Prep Trade for Kids/Teens (School Entrance, Standardized) (EDAGAIAK), Higher Education Textbook Publishing (MPAJABAB)

Keywords

• Educational publishing
• Children's picture books
• Early childhood learning materials
• Kindergarten ICT solutions
• Online exam preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Shinagawa, Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Publishing — Books, Magazines, and Educational Materials: Gakken's core revenue stream from publishing books, magazines, and educational materials across all life stages — from early childhood picture books (e.g., ぴよちゃん series with 2.7M copies, ほんとのおおきさ with 40M+ domestic copies), school textbooks and workbooks, to adult non-fiction and professional/medical publications (via Gakken Mesh). Includes both print and digital (e-book) formats.
2. EC/Online Retail — 学研モール and Direct Sales: Revenue from direct-to-consumer e-commerce through 学研モール (official shopping site) and 学研出版サイト, selling books, magazines, sheet music, calendars, and branded merchandise. Also includes 学研プライムブリゼ online exam prep courses and subscription/定期刊物 sales.
3. Digital Content and Online Services: Revenue from digital products including 学研プライムブリゼ online video lectures, e-books, apps (e.g., VisionTactics sports tactic boards, picture book apps), and digital textbooks. Also includes こそだてまっぷ parenting information platform (free with potential monetization).
4. Advertising Services: Gakken sells advertising across its magazine media and web platforms (PC/smartphone). Targets include university/vocational school recruitment advertisers, corporate branding, and product promotion campaigns.
5. ICT Solutions for Childcare Facilities: Revenue from selling ICT systems (cloud kindergarten management, communication apps, tablets) to kindergartens and nursery schools, through partnerships with 日立システムズ and hugmo. Includes licensing of software platforms and related professional services.
6. Educational Services and Professional Training: Revenue from university career exam systems (mock exam materials, preparation courses), remedial education programs, and teacher training/workshops. Also includes childcare professional training workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

株式会社学研 (Gakken Inc.) is a comprehensive Japanese educational publishing group producing and distributing books, magazines, workbooks, digital textbooks, online learning courses, ICT solutions for kindergartens, and specialized medical/nursing publications. Its core products span the full learning lifecycle from early childhood picture books and kindergarten ICT tools to school textbooks, university entrance exam prep, career education, and professional healthcare content. Gakken also operates its own direct e-commerce platform (学研モール) and reaches approximately 40,000 kindergartens nationwide through 300+ specialized sales agencies.

Product overview

Gakken is a comprehensive educational publishing group operating across multiple segments: publishing and content (general, global, medical-nursing), kindergarten-school-society education, e-commerce and online services (ショップ学研＋, 学研プライムゼミ, こそだてまっぷ), and advertising. Core product lines include ICT learning tools (学研知育タブレット キッズボード) for early childhood education, digital textbooks (みらいスクールプラットフォーム), online education platforms (学研プライムゼミ, gacco), picture book series (『ぴよちゃん』, 『みみちゃんえほん』, 『ほんとのおおきさ』シリーズ), magazines (GetNavi, CAPA, 教育ジャーナル), nursery ICT services (園ぴゅう太, hugmo), academic journals (月刊細胞工学, Visual Dermatology), and sports-themed educational content (VisionTactics, サガントスドリームワーク). Gakken holds PrivacyMark certification (JIS Q 15001) since 2019.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ビジョ: iPad compatible sports playbook app for basketball, soccer, and other sports
• 学研ほたるキャンペーン (Gakken Hotaru Campaign)
• ほっとquen
• みみちゃんえほん (Mimichan Ehon)

Products and services

• ショップ学研＋ (Shop Gakken+ / Gakken Mall+) Official e-commerce shopping site selling Gakken's books, magazines, sheet music, calendars, and branded merchandise directly to consumers. Operates as Gakken's primary direct-to-consumer retail storefront.
• 学研プライムゼミ (Gakken Prime Seminar) Online video course subscription service featuring top-tier instructors for university entrance exam preparation, targeting students and their families preparing for elite university admissions.
• こそだてまっぷ (Kosodate Map) Parenting information platform supporting guardians of nursery and elementary school children with guidance across discipline, learning, and life categories.
• 学研知育タブレット キッズボード (Gakken Educational Tablet Kids Board) Tablet-based ICT educational material sold exclusively to kindergartens and nursery schools (¥118,000 per unit, excluding tax), featuring 84 units across 518 age-appropriate learning challenges for ages 0-5.
• VisionTactics iPad Sports Playbook Apps iPad-compatible sports playbook apps for coaches and sports fans featuring 2D/3D animation playback, pen annotation, and data sharing across multiple sports (basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, handball, baseball).
• hugmo Childcare Cloud Service / hugnote Cloud-based childcare communication service enabling nursery/kindergarten staff to share activity photos and information securely with parents, distributed via Gakken's nationwide sales network. Includes hugnote contact-book service and hugsafety smart temperature measurement service with IoT non-contact thermometer integration.
• 園ぴゅう太 らくらくせんせい (Enpyuuta Easy Teaching) Cloud Nursery Management System Cloud-based integrated nursery/kindergarten management system suite co-developed with Hitachi Systems. Includes 園ぴゅう太 らくらくせんせい (integrated operations management), 園ぴゅう太 らくらくメール配信, and 園ぴゅう太 らくらくバスメール. Initial setup fee ¥472,500 plus monthly server usage fee ¥15,750.
• 大型空気取水機 (Large Air Water Extractor) Large-scale atmospheric water generator using adsorption sheet technology to produce drinking water in low-humidity environments, sold for municipal and disaster preparedness applications.
• たいけんぽけっと (TaiKen Pocket) Subscription Learning Kit Subscription service delivering experience-based learning kits combining picture books, picture book dictionaries, and experience kits to subscribers on a regular basis.
• 月刊細胞工学 (Monthly Cell Engineering) Scientific journal covering biochemistry and life sciences research, published by Gakken Medical Shujunsha for academic and industry subscribers.
• Visual Dermatology Medical journal published by Gakken Medical Shujunsha covering dermatology, targeted at medical professionals for clinical reference and continuing education.
• みらいスクールプラットフォーム (Mirai School Platform) - Digital Textbook Platform Digital textbook and educational content delivery platform used for elementary school health and ethics textbooks, adopted via partnership with Fuji Soft.

Quantifiable outcome

• ほんとのおおきさ series: 40 million+ domestic copies sold; all English translations awarded Parents' Choice Gold Award
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Panasonic (松下) / Tokyu (東急)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 June 2021Gakken collaborated with Panasonic and Tokyu on the 'Tsunashima SST Summer Lab' exploratory learning summer school program, combining Gakken's educational expertise with Panasonic's technology and Tokyu's community network in Tsunashima (Kawasaki).
• Shibata Gakuen Educational Corporation (学校法人柴田学園)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2020Gakken Mirai and Shibata Gakuen signed an academic cooperation agreement for joint research, researcher exchange, and collaborative initiatives between Gakken Mirai staff and Shibata Gakuen faculty and students.
• hugmo (ハグモー) / Softbank subsidiarycoreTechnology or Integration · 15 April 2020Gakken Mirai partnered with hugmo (SoftBank subsidiary) to promote ICT adoption in kindergartens/nursery schools across Japan. The partnership targets 10,000 facilities for hugnote contact-book services by 2023, integrating IoT thermometers, childcare cloud services, and Gakken's educational content into the hugmo platform.
• Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (、一般社団法人 日本自動車工業会)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2019Gakken Mirai co-operated the 'Drive for the Future' event for junior high school girls, introducing automotive industry careers with support from JAMA and 14 Japanese automobile manufacturers. Part of career education initiatives.
• Fuji Soft (富士ソフト株式会社)coreTechnology or Integration · 11 June 2019Gakken Mirai adopted Fuji Soft's 'みらいスクールプラットフォーム' (digital textbook/educational content platform) for the 2020 rollout of digital textbooks for elementary school Health and Moral Education subjects. Platform uses HTML5, works across Windows/iOS/Android browsers.
• SoftBank Corp. ( أنفس프트뱅크 )coreTechnology or Integration · 15 April 2019SoftBank subsidiary hugmo operates under the broader SoftBank Group umbrella; Gakken's partnership with hugmo is effectively supported by SoftBank's technology and investment infrastructure for childcare cloud services.
• Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (北海道日本ハムファイターズ)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2018Gakken Mirai and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters co-produced learning posters (Kanji 1-6, alphabet, multiplication tables, Roman numerals, maps) distributed at Sapporo Dome games to ~6,000 young fans. Players and mascots featured as learning motivators.
• Sagan Tosu / サガン・ドリームス (J.League Soccer)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 September 2017Gakken Mirai and Sagan Tosu co-produce ドリームワーク learning workbooks distributed free to elementary school 1st graders in Saga Prefecture. Multiple annual volumes produced, integrating soccer team mascots and players with learning content covering Japanese language, arithmetic, and life skills. Represents flagship local sports-education collaboration.
• Ryukyu Golden Kings (沖縄バスケットボール) / B.League BasketballflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 June 2016Gakken Mirai and Ryukyu Golden Kings co-produce ドリームスタディドリル learning workbooks distributed free to elementary school 3rd graders in Okinawa City. Multiple annual volumes produced. Both teams' mascots and players appear in the educational content, combining basketball themes with literacy and numeracy.
• BookBeyond (株式会社ブックビヨンド)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 April 2016Gakken partnered with BookBeyond to distribute children's e-books through the wook (ウック) e-book platform, including free disaster relief digital content during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake recovery period.
• Yoho Kyoiku Hoihin Kyokai (幼児教育保育用品協会)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2016Gakken Mirai co-founded the General Incorporated Association for Early Childhood Education and Care Products (幼儿教育保育用品協会) together with 5 other companies (Frebel, Sekai Bunka Wonder, Hikarinokuni, Child Hon, Jakuechi). Promotes research, quality improvement, and awareness for the early childhood education products industry.
• Mack Medical Academy Corporation (マック・Medicinal・アカデミー・コーポレーション)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2016Gakken Mesh (Gakken Medical Shujunsha) partnered with Mack Medical Academy Corporation for medical education content and professional development collaboration.
• Nippan America Inc. (日販アイ・ピー・エス株式会社)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 March 2016Gakken partnered with Nippan America to distribute its English-language Go Go Series (brain development workbooks) in North America. Products are sold through major bookstore chains (Barnes & Noble), Amazon, and specialty retailers under the Gakken brand, with self-distribution — a first for Gakken internationally.
• Eric Carle (エリック・カール)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 22 March 2016Gakken Mirai licensed Eric Carle's artwork (author of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar') for a series of Japanese-language learning charts (あいうえお, ABC/123, かけざん九九) featuring Carle's colorful illustrations. Products sold at bookstores nationwide.
• QQ English (QQイングリッシュ)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 February 2016Gakken Plus uses QQ English's online English teachers for its Talking Time one-on-one online English conversation lessons for elementary and junior high school students. Part of Gakken's ICT-based foreign language education initiative, including trial lessons at Iizuka Municipal Elementary Schools (Fukuoka Prefecture).
• MacCann Erickson /(Project Booster consortium)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2016Gakken Plus and MacCann Erickson jointly produce 2D virtual talent 'Yuki' for the PROJECT BOOSTER content collaboration initiative, creating marketing and promotional content for corporate and individual clients.
• Hitachi Systems (株式会社日立システムズ)coreTechnology or Integration · 30 July 2013Gakken Mirai and Hitachi Systems co-developed and sell the 園ぴゅう太 らくらくせんせい integrated nursery management cloud service, combining Gakken's childcare expertise with Hitachi Systems' secure data center infrastructure and IT service capabilities. Target of 3,000 facilities by end of FY2015.
• Plus Corporation Joyntax (プラス株式会社ジョインテックス)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 July 2013Gakken Mirai partnered with Plus Corporation Joyntax for the 'Smart School Junior' catalog-based mail-order service for kindergartens and nurseries. Next-day delivery nationwide (except Okinawa/remote islands) through Gakken's sales agent network.
• Shidax Group (シダックスグループ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2013Gakken Mirai and Shidax collaborated to run hands-on 'Science Class' and 'Food Education Class' events for children at Shidax karaoke/restaurant locations. Leverages Gakken's science content and Shidax's food/venue expertise.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Benesse Corporation: Japan's largest educational services group (Shinkenzemi, 進研ゼミ and correspondence education, plus kindergarten/school services like こどもちゃれんじ). Directly comparable to Gakken in kindergarten/school educational materials, parenting, and recurring learning subscriptions; competes for the same Japanese institutional and household customers.
• Fukuinkan Shoten (福音館書店): Major Japanese children's picture book and young-reader publisher, publisher of こどものとも and long-form picture book series. Directly comparable to Gakken's ぴよちゃん, みみちゃんえほん, and ほんとのおおきさ picture book franchises for the same Japanese household and kindergarten market.
• Kumon: Global Japanese-rooted educational services franchise focused on math/reading self-learning workbooks for children through adult learners. Comparable to Gakken in children's workbook publishing and brand-led learning services, with similar Japanese origin and global franchise model.
• Froebel-kan (フレーベル館): Japanese kindergarten and early-childhood materials supplier (Anpanman series among others) serving the same ~40,000 kindergarten/nursery footprint that Gakken Mirai targets with ICT tablets and cloud management systems.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson plc: Global educational publisher and assessment provider spanning K-12, higher education, and professional/medical (via Pearson Clinical) publishing. Comparable to Gakken across the publishing + ICT + assessment stack for schools, universities, and medical professionals.
• Oxford University Press: Global educational and academic publisher with English-language learning, K-12 textbooks, and university press divisions. Comparable to Gakken in ESL publishing, K-12 curriculum, and university-level materials with similar international translation reach.
• Shueisha (集英社): Major Japanese publisher of children's magazines and books (Shōnen Jump, Ribon, educational children's titles). Comparable in the children's educational publishing space but operates a much broader magazine/manga portfolio than Gakken's K-12 focused publishing.
• Kodansha (講談社): One of Japan's largest general trade publishers with significant children's, education, and manga divisions. Operates at much larger scale across genres, but overlaps with Gakken in children's books, education-adjacent titles, and digital publishing.
• Scholastic Corporation: Global children's book publisher, K-12 book club/distribution operator, and educational solutions provider in North America. Comparable to Gakken's international ambitions (Nippan America distribution, Parents' Choice awards) and overlapping in picture book and school book fair channels.

Emerging players

• LeapFrog Enterprises: Tablet-based early childhood learning hardware and content company (LeapFrog Academy, LeapReader). Directly comparable to Gakken's Kids Board (学研 Kids Board) ICT learning tablet in concept and target market, though primarily Western-marketed.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubegakken-ep.jp/extra/gkp_sns

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 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 Gakken