Shingakai Co., Ltd.

Shingakai Co., Ltd. (株式会社伸芽会) is a Japanese education company that operates juku (cram schools) specializing in preparation for private kindergarten and elementary school entrance examinations. Founded in April 1956 by Hideo Ōhori, it is widely recognized as the pioneer of Japan's private early-childhood education industry. The company is headquartered in Tokyo and is a subsidiary of Riso Kyoiku Co., Ltd., which in turn became a subsidiary of Hulic Co., Ltd. in 2024. Shingakai's core business is its network of classrooms that provide systematic instruction for children from age one through the senior year of kindergarten, aiming to develop the qualities sought by prestigious schools. Its curriculum emphasizes hands-on, experience-based learning rather than rote memorization, guided by three educational principles: 'education without teaching,' 'experience-based education,' and 'self-help education.' The company also operates the Shinga'S Club brand for daycare and after-school care services, and a joint brand with Konami Sports called Konami Sports Shinga'S Academy. Shingakai is known for its large-scale open mock examinations, which have been taken by over one million cumulative participants, and for its extensive publication of exam preparation materials and past-question books. It holds admission events several times a year that attract over 5,000 parents annually, often featuring special lectures by principals and admissions officers from prestigious schools. The company has produced over 170,000 graduates and maintains a strong reputation for its information-gathering and analysis capabilities in the opaque world of private school admissions.

Shingakai was founded in April 1956 by Hideo Ōhori as a specialized early-childhood education school, making it the oldest institution of its kind in Japan. The company began as a pioneer in preparing young children for entrance examinations to prestigious private kindergartens and elementary schools, a field that was then largely undeveloped. Over the decades, Shingakai built a reputation for its unique educational philosophy and accumulated a vast store of admission information and teaching know-how. In 1975, founder Hideo Ōhori established the Shingakai Ikuei Foundation (now the public interest incorporated foundation Ōhori Hideo Memorial Ikuei Foundation), and the company also served as its Tokyo liaison office. In January 2003, Shingakai underwent a corporate split, transferring its foundation administrative operations and real estate management to a separate company. In the same year, the company, now focused solely on its cram school business, became a subsidiary of Riso Kyoiku Co., Ltd. Ōhori stepped back from day-to-day operations to become chairman of the foundation, but passed away in October 2004. After his death, many of his former students continued as instructors, carrying on his educational legacy. In March 2011, Shingakai expanded into daycare and after-school care services under the brand name Shinga'S Club. In April 2021, the company entered a business alliance with Konami Sports Co., Ltd. to strengthen the development of after-school facilities, primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area. In March 2022, a capital and business alliance was formed among four companies: Riso Kyoiku, Shingakai, Kids Smile Holdings, and Kids Smile Project, deepening an existing operational partnership that had been in place since 2015. In 2024, when parent company Riso Kyoiku became a subsidiary of Hulic Co., Ltd., Shingakai also came under the Hulic umbrella. Throughout its history, Shingakai has been noted for producing many educators who went on to found their own early-childhood education schools, such as Tadao Ono of Nikken Japan Education Research Institute and Norimoto Fujimoto of Meedel, as well as the Western-style painter Yoji Okazaki. The company continues to operate as a leading provider of entrance exam preparation, with a network of classrooms and a comprehensive range of educational services.

• 2024

  Parent company Riso Kyoiku becomes a subsidiary of Hulic Co., Ltd.; Shingakai joins Hulic group.

• 2022

  Capital and business alliance among Riso Kyoiku, Shingakai, Kids Smile Holdings, and Kids Smile Project.

• 2021

  Business alliance with Konami Sports Co., Ltd. to strengthen after-school facilities.

• 2011

  Expands into daycare and after-school care services under the Shinga'S Club brand.

• 2004

  Founder Hideo Ōhori passes away in October.

• 2003

  Corporate split; becomes a subsidiary of Riso Kyoiku Co., Ltd.

• 1975

  Founder Hideo Ōhori establishes the Shingakai Ikuei Foundation (now Ōhori Hideo Memorial Ikuei Foundation).

• 1956

  Founded in April by Hideo Ōhori as a specialized early-childhood education school.

Pioneer and leading provider of private kindergarten and elementary school entrance exam preparation in Japan, emphasizing experience-based education and comprehensive information services.

• Shingakai Open Mock Examination

  Nation's largest open mock exam for elementary school entrance, taken by over 1 million cumulative participants.

• School-specific classes

  Classes tailored to the examination trends of specific target schools.

• Exam preparation books

  Published under Shingakai Publishing and Shingakai Education Research Institute, including past-question books and original workbooks.

• Shinga'S Club

  Brand for daycare and after-school care services, offering optional lessons and learning.

• Konami Sports Shinga'S Academy

  Joint brand with Konami Sports offering after-school care combined with sports activities.

1. 1小学校受験・幼稚園受験の伸芽会shingakai.co.jp
2. 2伸芽会について - 小学校受験・幼稚園受験の伸芽会shingakai.co.jp
3. 3伸芽会のNO.1 - 小学校受験・幼稚園受験の伸芽会shingakai.co.jp
4. 46つの力 - 小学校受験・幼稚園受験の伸芽会shingakai.co.jp
5. 5Shingakai Co., Ltd. - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6伸芽会 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org