3A Corporation
Japanese publisher specializing in Japanese-language teaching materials, best known for the Minna no Nihongo series.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
3A Corporation (株式会社スリーエーネットワーク, formerly 株式会社海外技術者研修調査会) is a Tokyo-based publishing house founded on 28 July 1973. It began as a publisher of Japanese-language textbooks for industrial and technical trainees coming to Japan, issuing 『日本語の基礎』 (Japanese for Technical Trainees) in 1974. The company was renamed 3A Corporation in 1988 and has since become one of Japan's most recognized publishers of Japanese-language teaching materials. Its flagship product is the Minna no Nihongo (みんなの日本語) series, first published in 1998 and widely adopted both in Japan and overseas as a comprehensive beginner-to-intermediate Japanese course. The company also publishes materials for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), academic Japanese, business Japanese, nursing-care Japanese, and Japanese for children and students with foreign roots. In addition, it develops foreign-language learning materials for Japanese speakers, including TOEIC, TOEFL, and Eiken preparation books, as well as English, Chinese, Korean, Polish, and other language courses. The company is headquartered in Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and is led by President Masako Fujisaki (藤嵜政子). It remains a private publishing company. Its stated mission is to contribute to world peace through language-learning materials and to value human networks. In 2023 it marked its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of Minna no Nihongo.
History
3A Corporation was established on 28 July 1973 in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, under the name 株式会社海外技術者研修調査会 (Kaigai Gijutsusha Kenshu Chosakai), starting publishing operations. In 1974 it published 『日本語の基礎Ⅰ』 (Japanese for Technical Trainees I), a textbook aimed mainly at industrial and technical trainees coming to Japan. 『日本語の基礎Ⅱ』 followed in 1981, and the company also began providing training services for trainees visiting Japan. In 1988 the company changed its name to 株式会社スリーエーネットワーク (3A Corporation). In 1990 it published 『新日本語の基礎Ⅰ』 and in 1993 『新日本語の基礎Ⅱ』 and 『日本語実用辞典』. In 1995 it published 『日本語中級J301』, and in 1997 it launched the Japanese-language information magazine 『Ja-Net』. The company's best-known product, 『みんなの日本語 初級Ⅰ・Ⅱ』 (Minna no Nihongo Beginner I & II), was published in 1998 and became a standard comprehensive Japanese textbook used widely in Japan and abroad. In 1999 it published 『日本語中級J501』, and in 2000 『初級を教える人のための日本語文法ハンドブック』 and 『新日本語の中級』. In 2001 it published 『日本語文法演習』 and 『中上級を教える人のための日本語文法ハンドブック』, and in 2002 『こどものにほんご』. In 2003 it published a revised edition of 『韓国語レッスン初級Ⅰ・Ⅱ』. In 2006 it published the six-volume 『講座・日本語教育学』, and in 2007 the three-volume 『基本にカエル英語の本』. In 2008 it published 『みんなの日本語 中級Ⅰ』 and 『日本語 初級 大地』. In 2009 it published the three-volume 『極めろ！ TOEIC® TEST』, followed in 2010 by the four-volume 『解きまくれ！ TOEIC® TEST』. In 2012 it published 『みんなの日本語 初級Ⅰ 第２版』 and in 2013 『みんなの日本語 初級Ⅱ 第２版』. In 2015 it published the seven-volume 『日本語教育叢書「つくる」』. In 2016 it published 『みんなの日本語 初級Ⅰ·Ⅱ 第２版 教え方の手引き』 and 『改訂版 日本語中級J301』. In 2017 it published 『はじめて学ぶ介護の日本語基本のことば』, 『小説 ミラーさん －みんなの日本語初級シリーズ－』, and 『１日１枚！英検®(３級~５級）問題プリント』. In 2018 the company held a seminar marking its 45th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of Minna no Nihongo. In 2019 it published 『極めろ！TOEFL iBT® テスト』 and 『中学生のにほんご』. In 2020 it published 『JLPT聴解N3 ポイント＆プラクティス』. In 2021 it published 『ゲンバの日本語 基礎編 働く外国人のための日本語コミュニケーション』 and its 応用編. In 2022 it published 『タスクベースで学ぶ日本語 中級１』 and 『同 中級２』. In 2023 the company marked its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of Minna no Nihongo. In 2024 it continued publishing new materials, including a third edition of Minna no Nihongo Beginner II and related workbooks and translations. The company is headquartered at Trusty Kojimachi Building 2F, 3-4 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and remains a private publisher led by President Masako Fujisaki.
- 2017
Published 『はじめて学ぶ介護の日本語基本のことば』, 『小説 ミラーさん』, and 『１日１枚！英検®(３級~５級）問題プリント』.
- 2016
Published 『みんなの日本語 初級Ⅰ·Ⅱ 第２版 教え方の手引き』 and 『改訂版 日本語中級J301』.
- 2015
Published seven-volume 『日本語教育叢書「つくる」』.
- 2013
Published 『みんなの日本語 初級Ⅱ 第２版』.
- 2012
Published 『みんなの日本語 初級Ⅰ 第２版』.
- 2010
Published four-volume 『解きまくれ！ TOEIC® TEST』.
- 2009
Published three-volume 『極めろ！ TOEIC® TEST』.
- 2008
Published 『みんなの日本語 中級Ⅰ』 and 『日本語 初級 大地』.
- 2007
Published three-volume 『基本にカエル英語の本』.
- 2006
Published six-volume 『講座・日本語教育学』.
Products and positioning
Publisher of Japanese-language teaching materials for learners in Japan and worldwide, with a mission of contributing to world peace through language education.
Minna no Nihongo (みんなの日本語) series
Comprehensive Japanese-language textbook series from beginner to intermediate, first published in 1998.
Nihongo no Kiso (日本語の基礎)
Early Japanese-language textbook for technical trainees, published in 1974 and 1981.
Shin Nihongo no Kiso (新日本語の基礎)
Revised Japanese-language textbook series published in 1990 and 1993.
JLPT preparation books
Materials for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, including grammar, reading, and listening practice.
EJU preparation books
Materials for the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students.
TOEIC / TOEFL / Eiken preparation books
English-language test preparation materials for Japanese speakers.
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