Kyoiku Dojinsha
A Japanese publisher founded in 1933 that pioneered school workbooks, tests and drills for elementary and junior high schools, now also developing digital learning and school-administration services.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
Kyoiku Dojinsha Co., Ltd. (株式会社教育同人社) is a Japanese educational publisher headquartered in Toshima, Tokyo. It traces its origins to 1933, when the "Test Research Group" (テスト研究会) was founded and began issuing workbooks and study reference books for elementary schools. In 1948 the business adopted the trade name Kyoiku Dojinsha, and in 1949 the company was formally incorporated in Kanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo. Since then it has been one of the central suppliers of supplementary teaching materials to Japanese public schools. The company's core business is the planning, development and publication of elementary and junior high school teaching materials, including workbooks, tests, drills, supplementary readers and teaching tools. Its official site describes it as a "pioneer of elementary and junior high school teaching materials" and states that it has supported Japanese public education since its founding in 1933. Its stated vision is that "all children smile through our school teaching materials," with missions to create quality school materials for diverse individual children, to develop next-generation materials and services connecting school and home, and to communicate the features and usage of its materials to teachers, children and parents. Beyond print, Kyoiku Dojinsha has moved into digital learning and school operations support. Its product line includes the MITORU app, which uses AI to automatically grade handwritten arithmetic answers for elementary school pupils, and it works with platforms such as Google for Education and Google Classroom add-ons. It also publishes free teacher-oriented magazines such as HUGHUG and wutan, and runs the "Real Jukugi" (リアル熟議) discussion events, for which it received Ministry of Education (MEXT) backing in 2011 — reportedly the first private company to do so. Distribution is a distinctive part of the business. The company operates logistics centers in Saitama Prefecture — the Higashimatsuyama Distribution Center, the Ranzan Distribution Center and the Yoshimi Distribution Center — from which materials are shipped nationwide, and it built an early nationwide sales network through contracted local agencies. In 2021 it established EFG Holdings Co., Ltd. (EDUCATIONAL FUTURE GROUP.) as a holding company, placing Kyoiku Dojinsha under a group structure alongside Eduship Co., Ltd. The company remains privately held and active.
History
Kyoiku Dojinsha's history begins in April 1933, when the "Test Research Group" (テスト研究会) was created and began publishing workbooks and study reference books for elementary schools. In January 1948 the enterprise changed its trade name to "Kyoiku Dojinsha" and set up an office in Kanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo. In December 1949 it was incorporated as Kyoiku Dojinsha Co., Ltd. in Kanda-Tsukasamachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo. The postwar period shaped the company's identity. Its own history states that the supplementary teaching materials used in Japanese public education today can be said to have developed from the test books Kyoiku Dojinsha created after the war. By editing questions that accurately captured teaching goals and objectives and turning them into a write-in format, the company produced a new style of material that matched the needs of schools and was adopted in lessons by many teachers. As use of its materials spread nationwide, the practice of using supplementary materials for academic improvement and diagnosis became widespread in public education. To deliver materials to schools across the country, the company placed personnel in each prefecture, creating the prototype of today's contracted-agency sales network — a style that later became established in the industry as unique to supplementary-material publishers. The founder's conviction, born amid the postwar ruins, was that "nothing but the revival of education can build Japan's future." In 1952 the company donated 100,000 test materials across the islands of Okinawa and Amami. In March 1957 it moved its head office to Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo. In April 1958 cumulative test-material shipments passed 10 million copies. In November 1968 it merged with Kyoiku Kagakusha Co., Ltd. In September 1978 Mori Shigeharu became representative director. In April 1980 founder Matsuo Mori was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette (勲五等雙光旭日章) by the government for long service to the library-material industry and to the advancement of Japanese education. In October 1984 the Higashimatsuyama Distribution Center opened in Higashimatsuyama, Saitama. In 1993 the company began self-editing junior high school materials. In October 1996 the Ranzan Distribution Center opened in Hiki District, Saitama. In April 1998 it entered the teaching-tools field, including calligraphy and art supplies. In October 2002 it established the Institute for Elementary Education Research. In September 2004 it obtained ISO 9001 quality management certification. In July 2006 it launched the free teacher magazine HUGHUG. In May 2007 the head office was temporarily relocated due to the Higashi-Ikebukuro subcenter redevelopment. In September 2008 Mori Tatsuya became representative director. In March 2009 HUGHUG was renewed and the free magazine wutan, aimed at cheerfully supporting elementary and junior high school teachers, was launched. In June 2009 Dojin Business Support Co., Ltd. was established. In July 2010 the company set its corporate philosophy and code of conduct. In February 2011 it began operating from a new head office building. In October 2017 the Yoshimi Distribution Center opened in Saitama Prefecture to meet rising demand. In October 2020 Dojin Business Support was renamed Eduship Co., Ltd. In October 2021 EFG Holdings Co., Ltd. (EDUCATIONAL FUTURE GROUP.) was established, introducing a holding-company structure, and the Omiya Educational Center opened in Saitama City, Saitama, to which Eduship's head office moved. In recent years the company has emphasized digital learning and school-administration support. Its MITORU app uses AI to grade handwritten arithmetic answers for elementary pupils, and it has partnered with Google for Education, including a Google Classroom add-on integration. It also runs "Real Jukugi" (リアル熟議) discussion events nationwide, receiving MEXT backing in 2011 — reportedly the first such support granted to a private company.
- 2021
October: EFG Holdings Co., Ltd. (EDUCATIONAL FUTURE GROUP.) established; holding-company structure introduced; Omiya Educational Center opened in Saitama City.
- 2020
October: Dojin Business Support renamed Eduship Co., Ltd.
- 2017
October: Yoshimi Distribution Center opened in Saitama Prefecture.
- 2011
February: Began operating from new head office building. Received MEXT backing for "Real Jukugi" events, reportedly the first for a private company.
- 2010
July: Corporate philosophy and code of conduct established.
- 2009
March: HUGHUG renewed; free magazine wutan launched. June: Dojin Business Support Co., Ltd. established.
- 2008
September: Mori Tatsuya became representative director.
- 2007
May: Head office temporarily relocated due to Higashi-Ikebukuro subcenter redevelopment.
- 2006
July: Launched free teacher magazine HUGHUG.
- 2004
September: Obtained ISO 9001 certification.
Products and positioning
A long-established, school-focused educational publisher positioning itself as a pioneer of elementary and junior high school teaching materials, combining print workbooks and tests with digital learning and school-administration services under the slogan "More education for every child."
算数ドリル (Arithmetic Drill)
Elementary arithmetic drill co-developed with the Elementary School attached to the University of Tsukuba; featured in the Asahi Shimbun.
MITORU
Elementary school app in which AI automatically grades handwritten arithmetic answers; pupils photograph and upload answers, supporting correction habits and teacher observation. Offered with free monitor schools and municipalities.
国語ドリル / 国語の達成
Japanese-language drill and achievement materials, with romanization teaching support materials.
サマースキル / 夏休みの完成
Summer study materials for elementary and junior high school pupils.
エンジョイウインター
Junior high school winter study material for thorough review from basics to reading comprehension.
はなまるROM
Digital teaching material whose provision method was changed (announced 2026).
HUGHUG / wutan
Free magazines for elementary and junior high school teachers.
Sources6 sources
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