Suzuki Publishing Co., Ltd.
A Japanese publisher of picture books, children's books, Buddhist books, and early-childhood education materials, founded in 1954 and now a subsidiary of Wilco Holdings.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
Suzuki Publishing Co., Ltd. (鈴木出版株式会社) is a Japanese publishing house headquartered in Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Founded on 29 January 1954, the company has built its business around picture books, children's literature, Buddhist books, and early-childhood education materials, together with the development and sale of educational toys and kindergarten supplies. Its capital is 66 million yen, and it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wilco Holdings Co., Ltd., a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market. The representative director and president is Masahiro Matsuura, and the company employs about 30 people excluding part-time and temporary staff. The company's publishing activities span several categories: early-childhood education and childcare books for parents and teachers; monthly picture books and general picture books for children aged two to six; hardcover children's books for elementary and junior-high readers; accessible Buddhist books for general readers; library sets for schools and public libraries; international publishing (translating its own books abroad and foreign books into Japanese); and self-publishing services for commemorative volumes and personal histories. On the materials side, it develops childcare teaching materials, educational toys, and supplies for kindergartens, nursery schools, and kodomoen, as well as Buddhist childcare and temple teaching materials. Suzuki Publishing's history reaches back to a 1954 contract with Walt Disney Productions, after which it began publishing Disney-related toys and books. In the late 1950s and 1960s its picture-book series, including tie-ins to Popeye, Hyokkori Hyotanjima, Astro Boy, and Tetsujin 28-go, are said to have reached a 40 percent market share. It launched the monthly childcare picture book Kodomo no Kuni in 1967 and the monthly nature picture book Shizen no Kuni in 1969, and it has long collaborated with early-childhood education research bodies. In 2018 it became a group company of Wilco Holdings. Today it sells mainly through kindergartens, nursery schools, kodomoen, school and public libraries, bookstores, temples, and co-ops, supported by a network of about 130 agencies nationwide.
History
Suzuki Publishing Co., Ltd. was founded on 29 January 1954. In its founding year it entered into a contract with Walt Disney Productions and began selling Disney-related toys and publishing various titles. In 1958 it started publishing picture-book series based on television properties such as Popeye, Hyokkori Hyotanjima, Astro Boy, and Tetsujin 28-go; by the early 1960s its self-planned picture-book series are said to have reached a 40 percent market share, with about 150 titles in major series. In 1963 the company began publishing early-childhood education books. In 1965 it launched the kindergarten reader Yochien Reader, which later became the Step Book (ステップブック) series. In 1967 it founded the monthly childcare picture book Kodomo no Kuni, followed in 1969 by the monthly nature picture book Shizen no Kuni. In 1973, with the new launch of Kodomo no Kuni Tulip Edition, the original edition continued as the Sunflower Edition. In 1974 the company began selling the educational toy Kotoba Asobi Set, developed with a research group led by the late Dr. Shozo Muraishi, former head of the language education research department at the National Institute for Japanese Language. In 1976 it partnered with Kin no Hoshisha to publish the Kodomo no Kuni Masterpiece Picture Book Series as hardcover books (published by Kin no Hoshisha, produced by Suzuki Publishing). In 1987 it launched the Kodomo no Kuni Dandelion Edition. In 1996 the company began publishing children's books for junior-high readers. In 2001 it opened the Picture Book School (絵本の学校), organized by the Story Picture Book Association. In 2002 it marked the 35th anniversary of Kodomo no Kuni, and in 2003 it began publishing large-format picture books. In 2004 it celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 2005 it began publishing overseas children's books, and in 2008 it started a translated picture-book series. In 2011 it released the electronic edition of the six-volume Buddhist Comics series, entering electronic publishing. In 2013 it launched the Juvenile Tales: Story Land series. In 2018 it became a group company of Wilco Holdings Co., Ltd. Throughout its history the company has collaborated with early-childhood education organizations. The nonprofit Early Childhood Education Research Institute compiles its semester teaching materials Step Book (middle and senior classes), and the Japan Buddhist Childcare Association compiles its monthly Kodomo no Kuni (younger, middle, and senior editions). The Kotoba Asobi Research Association, founded by Dr. Muraishi, developed the Kotoba Asobi Set and related card series. The company's books have received numerous awards and selections, including the Youth Reading Impression National Contest, the Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award, the Green Shade Book selection, and the Japan Picture Book Award.
- 2018
Became a group company of Wilco Holdings Co., Ltd.
- 2013
Launched the Juvenile Tales: Story Land series.
- 2011
Released the electronic edition of the six-volume Buddhist Comics series, entering electronic publishing.
- 2008
Started a translated picture-book series.
- 2005
Started publishing overseas children's books.
- 2004
Celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding.
- 2003
Started publishing large-format picture books.
- 2002
Marked the 35th anniversary of Kodomo no Kuni.
- 2001
Opened the Picture Book School (絵本の学校).
- 1996
Started publishing children's books for junior-high readers.
Products and positioning
A long-established Japanese publisher specializing in picture books, children's literature, Buddhist books, and early-childhood education materials, with a strong direct-sales network to kindergartens, nursery schools, and libraries.
Kodomo no Kuni
Monthly childcare picture book first published in 1967, with multiple editions over the years.
Shizen no Kuni
Monthly nature picture book launched in 1969.
Step Book (ステップブック)
Semester teaching materials for kindergartens, compiled by the Early Childhood Education Research Institute.
Kotoba Asobi Set
Language education system materials developed with the Kotoba Asobi Research Association.
Soria
Picture book about a sun bear rescued and returned to the forest, featured as the company's book of the month.
The 5th Lane
Translated children's book selected as a designated book for the 69th Youth Reading Impression National Contest.
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