All Japan Family Education Research Association

The All Japan Family Education Research Association (全日本家庭教育研究会, commonly abbreviated as 'Zenkaken') is a Japanese educational brand associated with home-study materials for elementary and junior high school students. It is best known for the 'Zenkaken Popy' (全家研ポピー) series, a line of monthly home-learning workbooks and study materials marketed directly to families. The brand was established in July 1970 as a foundation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (文部省所管の財団法人), created by the Kyoto-based educational publisher Shingakusha Co., Ltd. (株式会社新学社). At the same time, the 'Zenkaken Popy Series' of home materials for elementary and junior high school students was launched. The organization operates within the Shingakusha group, a publisher headquartered in Yamashina Ward, Kyoto, which produces textbooks, workbooks, and teaching materials for elementary and junior high schools. Shingakusha was founded in 1957 as a publisher of junior high school library materials, and it expanded into home-learning materials through the establishment of the All Japan Family Education Research Association. In 1973, the 'Monthly Popy' (月刊ポピー) was launched, further developing the home-study line. In 2004, a dedicated sales subsidiary, Popy Co., Ltd. (株式会社ポピー), was established to handle sales of Zenkaken Popy materials. The brand's offerings include monthly home-study workbooks, drill books, and supplementary learning materials for elementary and junior high school students, as well as digital learning tools and online study services developed in recent years. The official website of Shingakusha lists Popy-related content alongside school textbooks and digital services, including online self-study rooms and learning apps. The brand is positioned as a family-oriented home education service, complementing school learning with structured materials that parents can use to support their children's studies at home. The All Japan Family Education Research Association is not a listed company; it operates as part of the privately held Shingakusha group. Its materials are distributed primarily through direct sales and subscription channels in Japan. The brand remains active, with ongoing development of digital and online learning services under the Popy name.

The All Japan Family Education Research Association (全日本家庭教育研究会) was established in July 1970 as a foundation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (文部省所管の財団法人), created by Shingakusha Co., Ltd., a Kyoto-based publisher of educational materials. At its founding, the organization launched the 'Zenkaken Popy Series' (全家研ポピーシリーズ), a line of home-study materials for elementary and junior high school students. This marked Shingakusha's expansion from school-oriented textbooks into the home-learning market. Shingakusha itself was founded in March 1957 as a company publishing junior high school library materials. In March 1958, it released mathematics problem books (drill workbooks) for junior high schools and the high school entrance exam preparation material 'Shinkenkyu' (新研究) for five major subjects. In March 1961, the grade-specific 'Monthly Planned Study' (月刊計画学習) was published and gained attention as a reference book that taught study methods. In October 1964, the School Materials Development Research Institute (学校教材開発研究所) was established. In October 1965, the headquarters moved to Yamashina, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto. In April 1968, 'Shingakusha Bunko' was launched. Following the establishment of the All Japan Family Education Research Association in 1970, the 'Monthly Popy' (月刊ポピー) was launched in April 1973, further developing the home-study line. In September 1983, a Fukuoka branch office (now the Kyushu Sales Office) was opened in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. In September 1994, the Tokyo branch office was relocated to Karakida, Tama City, Tokyo. In December 1996, Gakko Shuppan Co., Ltd. (株式会社好学出版) was established as a group company. In May 1997, as a project commemorating the 40th anniversary of the company's founding, the 'Nakatani Takao Complete Works' (中谷孝雄全集, 3 volumes) was published. In 1998, Disney picture books were published in November, and the monthly 'National Geographic World' (ジオ・ワールド) was launched in December. In March 1999, the first collection of the Yasuda Yojuro Bunko (保田與重郎文庫, 32 volumes) was published, and a partnership with the National Geographic Society was formed. In March 2000, 'One Hundred English' was published as a teaching material for elementary school 'comprehensive learning time'. In February 2004, the 'Modern Romantic School Bunko' (近代浪漫派文庫, 42 volumes) and 'Hints for Learning' (学ぶためのヒント) by Watanabe Shoichi were published. In June 2004, the Popy sales subsidiary 'Popy Co., Ltd.' (株式会社ポピー) was established to handle sales of Zenkaken Popy materials. In May 2007, the Tokyo branch office moved from Tama City to Hirakawacho, Shinjuku Ward. In 2008, a sponsorship contract was signed with professional golfer Ryo Ishikawa. In August 2013, the company merged with Dainippon Hasso Co., Ltd. and Shingakusha Hasso Co., Ltd. The All Japan Family Education Research Association continues to operate as part of the Shingakusha group, providing home-learning materials under the Popy brand. In recent years, the brand has expanded into digital learning, with online self-study rooms and learning apps listed on the Shingakusha official website.

• 2004

  Established Popy Co., Ltd. in June as a sales subsidiary for Zenkaken Popy materials.

• 1973

  Launched 'Monthly Popy' (月刊ポピー) in April.

• 1970

  Established in July as a foundation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education; launched the 'Zenkaken Popy Series' of home materials for elementary and junior high school students.

Family-oriented home education materials and services for elementary and junior high school students, complementing school learning.

• Zenkaken Popy Series

  Home-study materials for elementary and junior high school students, launched in 1970.

• Monthly Popy

  Monthly home-study magazine launched in 1973.

1. 1新学社 | 小学・中学の学習教材、「全家研ポピー」の出版販売sing.co.jp
2. 2全日本家庭教育研究会 - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3新学社 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org