Shuppan Works

Shuppan Works Co., Ltd. (株式会社出版ワークス) is a Japanese independent publishing company headquartered in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. Founded on 18 May 2011, the company operates with a small team — 11 employees as of its corporate profile — and is led by Representative Director and President Kazushi Kudo (工藤和志). Its stated business activities are publishing and copyright management. The company's corporate philosophy centers on connecting past culture with future culture, maintaining a professional yet reader-oriented mindset, seeking out what does not yet exist, giving shape to 'what I always wanted,' and introducing Japanese culture to the world with a global perspective. Shuppan Works publishes a range of books, with a strong emphasis on children's literature. Its catalog spans picture books (絵本), children's reading books (読み物), and other children's titles, as well as general books including entertainment, novels, and photography collections. The publisher actively promotes its titles through book fairs, reading events, signings, and exhibitions, and it maintains a presence on social media and messaging platforms such as LINE. It also participates in retail promotions, including discount fairs on platforms like Rakuten Books and Pay ID app-limited coupon campaigns. As a small, independent publisher, Shuppan Works focuses on curating titles that resonate with readers and on building connections between creators, booksellers, and the public. Its catalog includes titles such as '三国志33の英雄伝・上巻' (Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 33 Hero Biographies, Vol. 1), '新装版 あかいふうせん' (New Edition: The Red Balloon), 'ジョリー号のぼうけん' (The Adventures of the Jolly), and 'だれのほね？2 ぼくたちきょうりゅう' (Whose Bones? 2: We Are Dinosaurs), the latter of which was selected as a finalist for the 28th Japan Picture Book Award. The company also engages in events such as '本と遊ぼうこどもワールド' (Let's Play with Books Children's World) and illustration exhibitions by its artists. With its base in Kobe and a focus on both domestic and international cultural exchange, Shuppan Works positions itself as a bridge between traditional publishing and new opportunities, including digital and global outreach. Its official website serves as a hub for news, new releases, and event information, reflecting an active engagement with its readership and the broader book community.

Shuppan Works Co., Ltd. was established on 18 May 2011 in Kobe, Japan, with a stated capital of 14.9 million yen. The company was founded with the philosophy of bridging past and future culture through publishing. From its inception, it has operated as an independent publisher with a focus on children's literature and general trade books. The company's early years were marked by building a catalog of picture books and children's titles, as well as establishing relationships with authors, illustrators, and booksellers. By the mid-2010s, Shuppan Works had begun to release a steady stream of titles, as evidenced by the publication archive on its website, which lists releases from 2012 onwards. The company also expanded its activities to include copyright management, leveraging its catalog for licensing and other opportunities. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Shuppan Works continued to publish new titles and engage with readers through events, book fairs, and digital promotions. Notable titles include 'だれのほね？2 ぼくたちきょうりゅう' (Whose Bones? 2: We Are Dinosaurs), which was selected as a finalist for the 28th Japan Picture Book Award in 2023, and '三国志33の英雄伝・上巻' (Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 33 Hero Biographies, Vol. 1), which received a newspaper review in 2026. The company also actively promotes its books through social media and messaging platforms, such as its official LINE account, and participates in retail campaigns on platforms like Rakuten Books and Pay ID. As of the 2020s, Shuppan Works remains a small, independent publisher with 11 employees, led by Representative Director and President Kazushi Kudo. Its headquarters are located in the Daikyo Sannomiya Building in Chuo-ku, Kobe. The company continues to pursue its mission of connecting cultures and introducing Japanese culture globally, while maintaining a reader-centric approach to publishing.

• Shuppan Works Co., Ltd. founded in Kobe, Japan.

• 'だれのほね？2 ぼくたちきょうりゅう' selected as finalist for the 28th Japan Picture Book Award.

• 'おばあちゃんのにわ' featured in JPIC 'Kono Hon Yonde! 2023 Autumn'.

• Book review of '三国志33の英雄伝・上巻' published in Kahoku Shimpo.

Independent publisher focused on children's literature and general trade books, bridging past and future culture with a global outlook.

• 三国志33の英雄伝・上巻

  Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 33 Hero Biographies, Vol. 1. Characters narrate in first person.

• 新装版 あかいふうせん

  New edition of 'The Red Balloon' by Kazuaki Yamada.

• ジョリー号のぼうけん

  The Adventures of the Jolly, featured on TV Tokyo's 'Shinapushu'.

• だれのほね？2 ぼくたちきょうりゅう

  Whose Bones? 2: We Are Dinosaurs, finalist for the 28th Japan Picture Book Award.

• おばあちゃんのにわ

  Grandma's Garden, featured in JPIC 'Kono Hon Yonde! 2023 Autumn'.

• Rakuten Books Thank-You Price Fair
• Official LINE Christmas Sale
• Pay ID app limited coupon campaign

1. 1「過去の文化と将来の文化をつなぐ」出版ワークスspn-works.com
2. 2会社情報 | 株式会社出版ワークスspn-works.com
3. 3Shuppan Works Co., Ltd. - Wikidatawikidata.org