Chijin Shokan

Chijin Shokan Co., Ltd. is a Japanese publisher headquartered in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. According to its company profile, it has been engaged in publishing since the early Showa era, focusing on academic and practical books in science, engineering, medicine and pharmacy, as well as general-audience natural-science and nature-observation books. It describes itself as a pioneer in the field of astronomy and space-science publishing, with numerous publications including the magazine Monthly Astronomy (formerly Weather and Climate, currently suspended). The company states its mission is to communicate the rapidly advancing state of science and technology and the mechanisms of nature and life 'accurately, promptly, and in a timely manner.'

Chijin Shokan was founded in 1930 by Kamijo Isamu. In the same year it began publishing the Geography Course. In 1934 it launched Weather and Climate, which was retitled Astronomy and Weather in 1949 and then Monthly Astronomy in 1984. Over the decades it launched numerous series and titles, including the Meteorology Course (1958), Steel Technology Course (1959), Applied Meteorology Series (1961), Hydraulic Science System (1962), Catalysis Engineering Course (1964), New Standard Star Chart (1967), Polymer Engineering Course (1968), Astronomical Observation Chronological Table (1968), Pharmaceutical Development Basic Course (1970), New Edition Steel Technology Course and Astronomical Handbook (1976), Nature Observation Guide (1977), Clinical Pharmacy Course (1979), Microscope Observation Series (1980), Chijin Sensho (1983), Toxicity Testing Course (1990), Standard Star Chart 2000 and Series: Flow of Steel Technology (1995), New Edition Microscope Observation Series (1998), Invasive Species Handbook (2002), Dictionary of Astronomy (2007), Formulation Machinery Technology Handbook (2010), and The History of Binoculars (2015). In 2007 it received the 23rd Azusa-kai Publishing Culture Award Special Prize. In 2025 the Astronomical Handbook marked its 50th anniversary.

A publisher centered on academic and practical books in science, engineering, medicine and pharmacy, general natural-science books, and nature observation books, described as a pioneer in astronomy and space-science publishing.

• Astronomical Handbook (天文手帳)

• Monthly Astronomy (月刊天文)

• Dictionary of Astronomy (天文学大事典)

• Astronomical Observation Chronological Table (天文観測年表)

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