SIJ

What SIJ does

SIJ, Inc. (株式会社エス・アイ・ジェイ) is a Tokyo-based sports media company founded in February 2008 that has built a vertically integrated portfolio around Japanese professional baseball and, increasingly, multi-sport athlete data. The company operates at the intersection of print media, digital databases, video streaming, and live event broadcasting, with the stated mission of realizing 'a society where all 100 million are athletes' (一億総アスリート社会の実現). Its operations span B2B engagements with professional sports organizations and B2C content distribution to baseball fans, athletes, and grassroots event organizers. Headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo with a sales/editorial office in Akasaka, the company is led by Representative Director Hayahara Shinichi and remains privately held with no disclosed investors or revenue.

SIJ's core product stack includes Baseball Times (ベースボールタイムズ), a quarterly print magazine covering all 12 NPB teams; OBTV, a video streaming platform featuring retired professional baseball player commentary broadcast on Nico Nico Douga and YouTube; Baseball DB (野球DB), an NPB-approved statistics database covering 41 teams and 1,762 players with a ¥100/month PRO subscription tier; and the Athlete Database, a multi-sport directory indexing 5,289+ professional athletes across NPB, J League, V League, handball, and softball with a cross-sport #connections search feature. The proprietary Ecology Broadcasting System (エコロジー放送システム), developed since 2018, delivers live sports streaming at approximately one-tenth the cost of traditional television production. The Event2Go mobile app extends the platform to grassroots and regional sports events. Underpinning all products is a unified athlete data layer that powers B2B content solutions branded Sports Content Factory.

SIJ generates revenue through a mix of print magazine sales (¥1,690-¥2,200 per issue) distributed via nationwide bookstores and online retailers (Amazon Japan, Fujisan), digital subscriptions (¥100/month for Baseball DB PRO), advertising and sponsorship across print and video properties, custom B2B content solutions (yearbooks, game-day programs, stadium apps), and broadcasting service contracts with regional leagues and independent teams. Its enterprise customer roster includes all 12 NPB teams (notably long-standing engagements with the Yomiuri Giants since 2009 and the Yokohama DeNA BayStars), the Japan Sea League, J League clubs, V League teams, and the Japan Softball Baseball Federation. Marketing and distribution combine owned digital platforms (Baseball Times website, athletedb.net), media partnerships (Yahoo Japan Sports Navi), app-store channels (App Store, Google Play), and a dedicated PR function supporting event-driven promotion.

Name

SIJ

Legal name

株式会社エス・アイ・ジェイ (SIJ Inc.)

Website

https://sij.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SIJ, Inc. is a Tokyo-based sports media company founded in 2008 that produces baseball magazines, NPB-approved athlete databases, video streaming (OBTV), and cost-efficient live broadcasting systems for Japanese professional sports organizations, leagues, and fans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Media and Athlete Database Services

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Spectator Sports (71121), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Streaming Distribution & App Platforms (CTV, Mobile, Web) (MPAKAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

B2B Sports Digital Syndication & White-Label Streaming Services (MPAKAOAJ), Sports OTT & League Pass Streaming Channels (MPABAHAJ)

Keywords

• Professional baseball media
• Athlete database services
• Sports broadcasting systems
• NPB statistics content
• Sports event platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Magazine Publishing: Quarterly and periodical magazine publishing including Baseball Times and Athlete Database print editions sold through bookstores and online retailers. Revenue generated through magazine sales at fixed prices.
2. Baseball Database Premium Service (野球DB PRO): Monthly subscription service for advanced baseball statistics and analysis features. Provides detailed player performance data, historical match lineups, and professional-grade analytical tools.
3. Advertising and Sponsorship: Advertising space sales within publications, on video content platforms (OBTV), and during live event broadcasts. Sponsorship packages for athlete development programs and league events.
4. Custom Content Solutions: B2B solutions including freepaper production for stadiums, player profile booklets, and marketing content creation for professional baseball teams and sports organizations.
5. Broadcasting Services: Economical internet broadcasting system services for sports organizations, particularly independent leagues and regional competitions. Revenue from service contracts and broadcasting infrastructure provision.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SIJ is a Japanese sports media company that produces print and digital sports media content (including the Baseball Times quarterly magazine and multi-sport Athlete Database), operates searchable athlete statistics databases (Baseball DB with NPB-approved records and a ¥100/month PRO subscription), delivers cost-efficient live sports broadcasting through its proprietary Ecology Broadcasting System, and provides B2B custom content solutions such as game day programs and player booklets to all 12 NPB teams and independent baseball leagues. The company also runs the OBTV video streaming platform with retired professional player commentary and the Event2Go smartphone app for local sports event discovery.

Product overview

SIJ operates as a baseball-focused sports media company offering a portfolio of interconnected products: Baseball Times magazine and player guides serve as foundational media content; OBTV provides video streaming with professional baseball commentary; Baseball DB (野球DB) offers a searchable NPB-approved player statistics database; Athlete Database expands coverage across multiple professional sports leagues; Sports Content Factory produces stadium materials and player publications; Event2Go mobile app facilitates sports event discovery and attendance; and the Ecology Broadcasting System delivers cost-effective live streaming. The company leverages its proprietary athlete databases to connect professional sports teams, athletes, and fans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ベースボール・タイムズ (Baseball Times): 野球専門メディア - Professional baseball media magazine published quarterly
• OBTV
• Athlete Database)
• 野球DB (Baseball DB)
• スポーツコンテンツファクトリー (Sports Content Factory)
• Event2Go
• エコロジー放送システム

Products and services

• Baseball Times (ベースボールタイムズ) Quarterly baseball specialty magazine recognized as a reporting medium for all 12 NPB teams, plus special issues including annual 'Baseball Review Book' and seasonal player guides. Provides value-added information to baseball fans and is distributed through nationwide bookstores and online retailers.
• OBTV Video distribution platform where professional baseball former players (OBs) provide live commentary during games twice weekly (Wednesday and Saturday), using internet two-way communication to answer fan questions directly during broadcasts.
• Athlete Database (アスリート・データベース) New media combining collectible print magazine (¥2,200 tax-included, B5 format, 342 pages) and searchable digital edition covering Japanese professional sports athletes across NPB 12 teams, 29 independent league teams, J-League 58 teams, V-League 52 teams, handball 23 teams, and softball 16 teams.
• Baseball DB (野球DB) Electronic NPB player directory using official NPB-approved record data covering all 41 teams (12 NPB + 29 independent league teams), totaling 1,762 players. Provides extensive search functionality connecting players by birthplace, career history, and draft class. Baseball DB PRO premium subscription available at ¥100/month (tax excluded) for advanced statistics, detailed analysis tools, and historical lineup data from 2005 onwards.
• Sports Content Factory (スポーツコンテンツファクトリー) B2B sports fan communication solution providing stadium spectator free-paper production, player profile booklet creation, and Player Directory Service utilizing proprietary athlete database for content storage and distribution. Serves professional baseball teams including Yomiuri Giants and Yokohama DeNA BayStars.
• Event2Go Sports event spectator platform smartphone app enabling users to check local sports event information before, during, and after attendance. Connects event organizers, sports facilities (municipalities), and local users to promote event awareness and venue utilization. Includes map-based event discovery, attendance check-in, digital fan magazines, and sponsor advertising capabilities.
• Ecology Broadcasting System (エコロジー放送システム)

Quantifiable outcome

• Coverage of all 12 NPB teams plus 29 independent league teams (41 total teams)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

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

• 公益財団法人全日本軟式野球連盟 (Japan Softball Baseball Federation / JSBB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026SIJ serves as the secretariat for THE FIRST NANSHIKI BASEBALL PROJECT, a national initiative to promote 'NANSHIKI' (soft-top baseball) in Japan and globally. SIJ developed and operates the project website in Japanese, English, and Chinese. The partnership aims to spread and revitalize the sport worldwide.
• 日本海 league (Japan Sea League)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Strategic partnership for athlete development and career support. SIJ collaborates with the Japan Sea League (representative: Seto Kazuei) on the Athlete Next Stage Project, providing brain tendency diagnostics, dual career support, and broadcasting services for all league games since 2022. Teams include 石川ミリオンスターズ, 富山GRNサンダーバーズ, and 滋賀ハイジャンプス.
• 読売新聞社・読売巨人軍 (Yomiuri Shimbun / Yomiuri Giants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership since 2009 for game day programs (GIANTS PRIDE), stadium app development, players program publications, and player appearances. Partnership includes 3D card figure development and sales.
• スポーツナビ (Sports Navi)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Yahoo Japan's Sports Navi portal for baseball news and live score content distribution. Started March 2010.
• 日本テレビサービス (Nippon TV Service)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction collaboration for 'Yomiuri Giants Winning Card' starting 2009.
• バンダイ (Bandai)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness partnership in 2010 for PR campaigns related to baseball cards and online game 'Owners League.'
• wakasa生活 (Wakasa Seikatsu)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for the Noto Peninsula earthquake recovery support project with the Japan Sea League (石川ミリオンスターズ). Wakasa Seikatsu initiated the recovery support project and SIJ coordinated player participation in agricultural support and baseball clinics for local children.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Baseball Magazine Sha: Baseball Magazine Sha (ベースボール・マガジン社) is Japan's longest-running baseball print/digital media publisher, producing Baseball Magazine and Books and related content directly comparable to SIJ's Baseball Times and Athlete Database publications. Both companies target Japanese baseball fans with editorial coverage of NPB, independent leagues, and amateur play.
• Full-Count Inc. Full-Count is an independent Japanese digital baseball media outlet covering NPB, independent leagues, amateur baseball, and softball - directly overlapping with SIJ's editorial and database footprint. Both companies serve passionate Japanese baseball fans with news, player profiles, and statistics, and both compete for B2B content relationships with leagues and teams.
• Pacific League Marketing: Pacific League Marketing is the marketing and content arm of NPB's Pacific League, producing broadcasting content, digital media, and team marketing for the six PL teams. It is directly comparable to SIJ because both deliver B2B content solutions (game-day programs, player databases, broadcasting) to professional baseball teams in Japan.
• Data Stadium: Data Stadium provides official sports data feeds and statistics for Japanese baseball and other sports, directly comparable to SIJ's Baseball DB and Athlete Database offerings. Both companies are NPB-aligned data providers, and Data Stadium is named as a partner in SIJ's materials, indicating tight overlap in product and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• DAZN (Japan): DAZN operates a major paid sports streaming platform in Japan with rights to multiple professional leagues including baseball. While SIJ targets regional/minor sports and B2B white-label streaming, DAZN represents the broader OTT incumbent that competes for the same viewer attention and league rights across Japanese sports.
• ABEMA (CyberAgent): ABEMA is a major Japanese OTT platform operated by CyberAgent that streams sports (including NPB on ABEMA Premium) alongside other entertainment. Comparable to SIJ as a sports streaming and content provider, though ABEMA operates at national scale while SIJ focuses on niche baseball and white-label broadcasting.
• J SPORTS: J SPORTS (JCTV) is a Japanese pay-TV sports network broadcasting NPB, J.League, and other professional sports. It is comparable to SIJ's broadcasting and content work because both distribute live sports content to Japanese fans, though J SPORTS is a multi-sport broadcaster while SIJ specializes in baseball and underserved leagues.

Others

• Nikkan Sports: Nikkan Sports is a major Japanese daily sports newspaper with deep NPB coverage. It is comparable to SIJ's Baseball Times as a Japanese sports journalism outlet, but operates as a general sports newspaper rather than as a baseball specialist or content solutions provider.
• Sports Bull / Number (NumberSports): Sports Bull / Number is a Japanese sports magazine and digital media brand under Shogakukan that covers professional sports including NPB. It is comparable to SIJ as a competing premium sports editorial brand with significant baseball coverage and is positioned as an OTHERS peer because it is part of a broader media portfolio rather than a baseball-focused specialist.
• Sponichi (Sports Nippon): Sponichi is a Japanese daily sports newspaper (Sports Nippon group) with extensive baseball journalism and digital content. It competes with SIJ at the editorial level for Japanese baseball fans' attention and is comparable as an OTHERS peer because it operates as a multi-sport broadsheet rather than a baseball-dedicated media or database company.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 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 SIJ