TOASU
Gakken Business Brains (formerly TOASU) is a Japan-based corporate training and human resource development company, subsidiary of Gakken Holdings, delivering enterprise B2B employee learning programs, e-learning, LMS subscriptions, AI English practice, and foreign-worker Japanese education across Japanese enterprises.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersTokio, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What TOASU does
TOASU, now operating as Gakken Business Brains Co., Ltd. (学研ビジネスブレインズ株式会社) following a July 1, 2026 corporate name change, is a Japan-based corporate training and human resource development company founded in 1995 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (学研ホールディングス株式会社). The company delivers enterprise-focused B2B employee learning programs spanning new employee onboarding, IT engineering training, DX promotion, reskilling, leadership development, project management, security ('Plus Security'), and global communication, alongside specialized programs for foreign workers including Japanese language education and career support. Its proprietary instructional design methodology is grounded in six scientific learning theories (ADDIE, Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction, Keller's ARCS model, Skinner's reinforcement, Carroll's time model, and Mager's three questions), and an AI-assisted adaptive learning system built on Item Response Theory (IRT) personalizes content and pace. Core platforms include the ASUBeTO Learning Management System, the Gakken Skills GATEWAY e-learning storefront, the Talkful for Business AI English conversation app, and a three-company joint training program that has trained 40,000+ IT personnel over 20+ years.
The company generates revenue through six primary streams: open-enrollment public courses (¥27,500-¥264,000 per course), customized in-house enterprise training (consultative pricing), e-learning content sales (¥2,200-¥935,000 per course), ASUBeTO LMS subscriptions (¥0 initial setup, ongoing subscription), foreign-worker Japanese language subscriptions (starting ¥3,960 per person per month), and project-based training internalization consulting. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales with event-driven lead generation via free executive seminars and webinars. Distribution is wholly Japan-domestic, delivered online via Zoom or in-person through a network of 1,000+ instructors. The customer base is anchored by large Japanese enterprises across IT services and manufacturing (including Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Cube System, and Japan Electronic Computing) and supplemented by individual learners, three-company joint training cohorts (200+ participating companies), and employers of foreign workers.
TOASU firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TOASU
- Legal name
- Gakken Business Brains Co., Ltd. (学研ビジネスブレインズ株式会社)
- Website
- https://toasu-gakken.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Gakken Business Brains (formerly TOASU) is a Japan-based corporate training and human resource development company, subsidiary of Gakken Holdings, delivering enterprise B2B employee learning programs, e-learning, LMS subscriptions, AI English practice, and foreign-worker Japanese education across Japanese enterprises.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TOASU industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Corporate Training and Human Resource Development Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Computer Training (61142), Educational Services (611), Language Schools (611630)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.) (BPAEANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Systems Administration & IT Operations (Windows/Linux, Monitoring, ITSM) (EDABAFAH)
Keywords
Where TOASU is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokio
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
TOASU business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Open Training (Public Courses): Individual and group enrollment in scheduled public training courses. Prices range from ¥27,500 to ¥264,000 per course. Delivered online via Zoom.
- Customized In-house Training: Tailored training programs designed for individual client organizations. Pricing requires consultation. Includes instructional design, experienced instructors, and follow-up reporting.
- e-Learning Content Sales: Individual course purchases and subscriptions for online learning content. Course prices range from ¥2,200 to ¥935,000. Includes business skills, IT skills, DX, and reskilling content.
- Foreign Worker Support Services: Japanese language education and career support for foreign workers including specialized skills visa holders and technical intern trainees. Fixed monthly pricing starting from ¥3,960 per person.
- Training Internalization Support: Services to help companies build in-house training capabilities including content development, instructor training, and program design. Offered as project-based consulting.
- Learning Management System (ASUBeTO): LMS platform subscription with initial ¥0 setup cost. Ongoing subscription for training management and content delivery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | AI Training Courses - 2.5 hour practical programs |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | IT Engineer New Employee Training - 42 day full package |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Joint New Employee Training - Business Basics |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | e-Learning Course Catalog |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Open Training Course Catalog |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Project Management Training |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Security Personnel Course |
| Subscription | Monthly | Japanese Language for Foreign Workers |
| Subscription | Monthly | Talkful for Business AI English |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
TOASU product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TOASU (now Gakken Business Brains Co., Ltd.) provides corporate training and human resource development services to Japanese enterprises. Offerings include customized in-house training, open enrollment public courses, e-learning content, a proprietary learning management system (ASUBeTO), AI-powered English conversation training (Talkful for Business), Japanese language education for foreign workers, and training internalization consulting. Services span all organizational levels from new graduate onboarding through executive development, with a network of 1,000+ instructors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ASUBeTO: Learning management system (LMS) provided by Gakken Business Brains for corporate training and HR development.
- Gakken Skills GATEWAY
- Gakken STEP にほんご
- Gakken にほんごキャリアスクール
- Talkful for Business
- Shikaku Pass
- GROWTH LOOP
Products and services
- Customized In-house Training (一社研修)
Quantifiable outcome
- 97.25% course completion rate achieved by major manufacturing client with 77,000 annual participants
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use TOASU
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TOASU technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature4 records
TOASU partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Kimini OnlineminorKimini online English learning service for children featured as partner banner on Gakken Business Brains website. Part of Gakken Group ecosystem.
- Arukikata (Travel Guide)minorArukikata travel guide service featured as partner. Part of Gakken Group service ecosystem.
- Gakken TVminorGakken TV educational video content partner. Part of Gakken Group media ecosystem.
- CC LessonminorCC Lesson English conversation service partner. Referrer relationship for English learning services.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
TOASU competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Udemy Business: Enterprise arm of Udemy providing subscription access to a global catalog of courses including IT, business, and certification prep. Overlaps directly with TOASU's Gakken Skills GATEWAY e-learning catalog and certification-aligned training lines.
- Coursera for Business: Enterprise learning platform offering curated courses, professional certificates, and degree-aligned content. Competes with TOASU for corporate L&D spend, particularly in IT skills, data, and business certification categories.
- Schoo: Japan-based B2B online video learning platform serving enterprise L&D teams with live and on-demand courses. Directly competes with TOASU's open training, e-learning, and customized training offerings for Japanese corporate HR budgets.
- Progate: Japanese online programming education platform expanding into enterprise training. Comparable to TOASU's IT engineer new employee training and Java/Python programming courses for Japanese corporate customers.
- Aidemy: Japan-focused AI and digital skills education provider serving corporate clients and individual learners. Directly comparable to TOASU's generative AI training, DX training, and reskilling courses in the Japanese enterprise segment.
- BizLearn: Japanese corporate e-learning provider offering a course library and LMS services to Japanese enterprises. Closely comparable to TOASU's ASUBeTO LMS and Gakken Skills GATEWAY e-learning business for the Japanese corporate market.
Broad incumbents
- En-Japan: Japanese HR services firm with education, assessment, and corporate training offerings. Comparable to TOASU's enterprise training, assessment (GROWTH LOOP), and talent development solutions within the Japanese market.
- General Assembly: Global workforce training and reskilling provider (part of Adecco Group) offering bootcamps and corporate training. Comparable to TOASU's reskilling, DX, and IT skills training portfolio at a broader, less Japan-focused scale.
- Persol Holdings: Major Japanese HR services and staffing group with corporate training and workforce development offerings. Competes with TOASU in enterprise talent development programs as part of a broader HR solutions portfolio.
- Recruit Holdings: Japan's largest HR services conglomerate with education and training products (e.g., AirCourse) inside a much broader staffing/recruiting/marketing portfolio. A broad incumbent competing for the same Japanese enterprise L&D wallets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TOASU social profiles
Digital presenceTOASU financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TOASU leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
TOASU funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TOASU 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 TOASU
What does TOASU do?
TOASU (now Gakken Business Brains Co., Ltd.) provides corporate training and human resource development services to Japanese enterprises. Offerings include customized in-house training, open enrollment public courses, e-learning content, a proprietary learning management system (ASUBeTO), AI-powered English conversation training (Talkful for Business), Japanese language education for foreign workers, and training internalization consulting. Services span all organizational levels from new graduate onboarding through executive development, with a network of 1,000+ instructors.
Is TOASU a public or private company?
TOASU is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was TOASU founded?
TOASU was founded in 1995. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is TOASU based?
TOASU is headquartered in Tokio, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does TOASU make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Open Training (Public Courses) is the primary driver. The others are customized In-house Training, e-Learning Content Sales, foreign Worker Support Services, training Internalization Support and learning Management System (ASUBeTO).
Who are TOASU's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Udemy Business, Coursera for Business, Schoo, Progate, Aidemy and BizLearn. Broad incumbents are En-Japan, General Assembly, Persol Holdings and Recruit Holdings.
Does TOASU have an API?
No public API is recorded for TOASU.
What industry is TOASU in?
TOASU's product category is Corporate Training and Human Resource Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEANAA, Vendor/Authorized Certification Training (Microsoft/AWS/Cisco, etc.), with a secondary code of EDABAFAH, Systems Administration & IT Operations (Windows/Linux, Monitoring, ITSM). Its NAICS code is 61143 and its SIC code is 8200.