The Seikyo Press
The Seikyo Press is the publishing arm of Soka Gakkai, publishing the daily organ paper Seikyo Shimbun and related periodicals and digital media.
Last updated September 29, 2026
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Overview
The Seikyo Press (聖教新聞社, Seikyo Shimbunsha) is the publishing division of Soka Gakkai, a Japanese Buddhist organization. It is best known as the publisher of Seikyo Shimbun (聖教新聞), the daily organ newspaper of Soka Gakkai, which was first issued on April 20, 1951, founded by second president Josei Toda and third president Daisaku Ikeda. The paper began as a two-page semi-monthly with a circulation of 5,000 copies and grew into a daily broadsheet with a large readership in Japan. The Seikyo Press also publishes other periodicals such as Seikyo Graph (later Graph SGI), the youth-oriented Kibo Shimbun and Mirai Journal, and operates the digital platform SEIKYO online (formerly SEIKYOnet), which offers news, video, and e-book content. The organization is headquartered in Tokyo and remains closely tied to Soka Gakkai's peace, culture, and education movement. Its editorial stance emphasizes humanism, the dignity of life, and lasting peace, reflecting the Buddhist philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin as interpreted by Soka Gakkai. The Seikyo Press is a private entity, not listed on any stock exchange, and functions as an integral part of Soka Gakkai's communications and publishing activities.
History
The Seikyo Press was established as the publishing arm of Soka Gakkai, a Japanese Buddhist organization. Its flagship publication, the Seikyo Shimbun, was first published on April 20, 1951, as a semi-monthly two-page paper with a circulation of 5,000 copies. It was founded by Josei Toda, the second president of Soka Gakkai, and Daisaku Ikeda, who later became the third president. The paper evolved rapidly: it became a weekly two-page paper on September 6, 1953; a correspondent system was introduced on January 27, 1954; and a sales and delivery network began on June 1, 1955. By August 2, 1957, it had expanded to a weekly eight-page format. In 1959, the magazine Seikyo Graph (later Graph SGI) was launched. The paper became a twice-weekly in 1960, a three-times-weekly in 1962, and a daily eight-page paper on July 15, 1965. In 1965, Daisaku Ikeda's novel The Human Revolution began serialization. The headquarters building was completed on September 28, 1970. The paper expanded to 12 pages daily in 1971. In 1988, computer typesetting (CTS) was introduced. The paper reached its 10,000th issue on July 19, 1990. The novel The Human Revolution concluded in 12 volumes in 1993, and the sequel The New Human Revolution began serialization on November 18, 1993. The paper reached its 15,000th issue on November 6, 2004. In 2006, the official website SEIKYOnet was launched. In 2011, the website was renamed SEIKYO online, and The New Human Revolution became the longest-running newspaper serial in Japan. In 2012, two new papers for children and students were launched: Shonen Shojo Kibo Shimbun and Mirai Journal. The paper underwent a major redesign in 2014. In 2016, SEIKYO online was renewed and began charging for content. The New Human Revolution concluded in 30 volumes in 2018. The paper reached its 20,000th issue on January 20, 2019, and the digital edition Seikyo Digital was launched on November 12, 2019. The Seikyo Press continues to operate as the publishing division of Soka Gakkai, producing newspapers, magazines, books, and digital content.
First issue of Seikyo Shimbun published as a semi-monthly two-page paper with 5,000 copies.
Seikyo Shimbun becomes a weekly two-page paper.
Correspondent system established.
Sales and delivery network (dealers and delivery personnel) launched.
Seikyo Shimbun becomes a weekly eight-page paper.
Seikyo Graph (later Graph SGI) launched.
Seikyo Shimbun becomes a twice-weekly paper.
Seikyo Shimbun becomes a three-times-weekly paper.
Daisaku Ikeda's novel The Human Revolution begins serialization.
Seikyo Shimbun becomes a daily eight-page paper.
Products and positioning
The official organ press of Soka Gakkai, promoting humanism, peace, culture, and education based on Nichiren Buddhism.
Seikyo Shimbun
Daily organ newspaper of Soka Gakkai.
Seikyo Graph / Graph SGI
Magazine launched in 1959.
Shonen Shojo Kibo Shimbun
Newspaper for elementary school students, launched in 2012.
Mirai Journal
Newspaper for middle and high school students, launched in 2012.
SEIKYO online
Official digital platform, formerly SEIKYOnet.
Seikyo Digital
Electronic edition of Seikyo Shimbun, opened in 2019.
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