1950s​ A second chance after bankruptcy: The birth of Fukutake Shoten Co., Ltd.

In January 1955, Fukutake Shoten Co., Ltd. was established in Okayama Prefecture. It began publishing books and student handbooks for junior high school students.
In 1954, the previous year, its predecessor, Fuji Publishing Co., Ltd., went bankrupt despite strong performance, unable to collect cash. So, it started from a negative position.
This experience led to a strong determination to "never go bankrupt again," which ultimately shaped Benesse's current business model of "cash-based management," "no-inventory operation," and "continuous business."

1955

• Fukutake Shoten Co., Ltd. was founded at 420 Minamigata, Okayama City.
• We have started issuing books and student pocketbooks for junior high school students.

1960s​ Our first new business, the mock exam service, is off to a smooth start.

The mock exams for high school students, which began in 1962, started as a small project targeting schools in Okayama Prefecture and the surrounding areas.
However, thanks to innovative ideas such as holding "joint mock exams" where multiple schools exchange data with each other, as well as the steady efforts of sales representatives to support education in schools and communities and build trust with teachers, the number of schools adopting their products gradually increased.

1962

• The "Kansai Mock Exam" for high school students was launched (later expanded nationwide as the "Shinken mock exam / Shinken Simulated Exams" in 1973).

1969

• We launched a correspondence course for high school students called "Correspondence Education Seminar" (now "Shinkenzemi High School Course").

1970s​ The beginning of the correspondence course "Shinkenzemi"

In 1973, the mock exams were renamed "Shinken mock exam / Shinken Simulated Exams." Riding the wave of the introduction of the Common Entrance Examination in 1979, the company improved its infrastructure by introducing large-scale computers and expanding its sales offices, and expanded nationwide.
Meanwhile, in 1969, we launched correspondence courses for high school students, and in 1972, for junior high school students. Both started with around 500 members, but through trial and error, we expanded our membership and grew them into our core business.

1972

• We launched a correspondence course for junior high school students called "Correspondence Education Seminar Junior" (now "Shinkenzemi High School Course").

1980s​ Expansion of Correspondence Courses and Advancement into Taiwan

In 1980, the "Elementary School Course" was launched, followed by the "Preschool Course," now known as "Kodomo Challenge," in 1988. This expanded the range of correspondence courses to include students from preschool to high school, marking a significant growth. In 1989, the Preschool Course was also launched in Taiwan, taking the first step into the Asian market.

1980

• The first CI campaign promoted "culturalization, informatization, and internationalization."
• Shinkenzemi launches "Elementary School Course"

1988

• The "Shinkenzemi Course" was launched (now "Kodomo Challenge").
• Established Taipei branch office

1989

• We are opening a preschool program in Taiwan.

1990s​​ The company diversified its business based on the "Benesse" philosophy

In 1990, we introduced our philosophy brand, "Benesse." Benesse is a Latin coined word meaning "Well-Being."
Since then, while maintaining our core philosophy of supporting people to "Well-Being," we have diversified our business in anticipation of the trends of the times, such as globalization and the declining birthrate and aging population. It was around this time that we acquired Berlitz, started our nursing care business, and launched the pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare magazines "Tamago Club" and "Hiyoko Club Club," which are the foundation of our current lifestyle business.
In 1995, in order to integrate all business activities with our corporate philosophy, we changed our company name to "Benesse Corporation."

1990

• Benesse unveils its philosophy brand "Benesse" in its second CI (Corporate Identity) phase.

1991

• Benesse Logistics Center (Osafune-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture) has been completed.

1992

• "Telemarketing Japan Co., Ltd." was established as a wholly owned subsidiary (renamed "TMJ Co., Ltd." in 2012, all shares transferred in 2017).

1993

• The company acquired Berlitz International Inc. (now Berlitz Corporation), the world's largest language learning company, as a subsidiary (all shares were transferred in 2022).
• The magazines "Tamago Club" and "Hiyoko Club" were launched.

1994

• The Tokyo branch (now the Tokyo headquarters) relocated to Tama City, Tokyo.

1995

• Company name changed to "Benesse Corporation" / Shares listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange Second Section and Hiroshima Securities Exchange.
• Home Helper Level 2 Training Course Launched ⇒ Caregiving Business Started

1996

• Launch of "THANK YOU!"

1997

• Transferred to the First Section of the Osaka Securities Exchange

1998

• Simul International Co., Ltd. became a subsidiary (all shares transferred in 2020).

2000s​ Fortifying Basics for the Next Stage of Growth

"Shinkenzemi" strengthened its ability to provide individualized support and increased its added value by introducing materials tailored to different academic levels and launching optional materials. In 2008, it launched "Shinkenzemi +i (Plus I)," a new type of learning material combining paper and web for junior high school students, marking the first step in the development of next-generation learning materials. Furthermore, it expanded into the cram school business, advancing its ability to respond to diverse learning needs.
Furthermore, in order to further expand its distance learning business, the company launched early childhood education courses in China and South Korea in 2006, marking a full-scale expansion into overseas markets. Then, in October 2009, it transitioned to a holding company structure, and positioned five areas as growth business areas: "Domestic Education," "Overseas Education," "Lifestyle," "Senior Care and Nursing Care," and "Language and Global Human Resources Education," and restructured its management system to facilitate further growth.

2000

• Listing on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
• We established Benesse Care Co., Ltd., a company that operates nursing care businesses.
• We have made "Shinkokai Co., Ltd.," a provider of assisted living facilities for the elderly, a subsidiary.

2001

• Berlitz International Inc. (now Berlitz Corporation) was made a wholly owned subsidiary (all shares transferred in 2022).
• I established "Learns Co., Ltd.", a publisher of educational materials for high schools.

2003

• Three of Benesse Group's nursing care businesses have been integrated into a single company, "Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd."
• "Shinken-AD Co., Ltd." becomes a subsidiary.
• Established Benesse Hong Kong Co., Ltd.

2004

• Benesse Korea Co., Ltd. was established.

2005

• Benesse Educational Research and Development Center Established
• "Aviva Co., Ltd." became a group company (all shares transferred in 2010).

2006

• Started offering classes for young children in China and South Korea.
• Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd. will become a subsidiary.

2007

• Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, Inc. becomes a subsidiary.
• Established Baerakusei Trading (China) Co., Ltd.

2008

• "Shinkenzemi Junior High School Course +i" now open.

2009

• Established "Tokyo Education Research Co., Ltd." (succession of Tetsuryokukai's business)
• Transition to a holding company structure
• The company name has been changed to "Benesse Holdings, Inc."

From 2010 onwards: Globalization, next-generation education, and challenges for further growth in senior care and elderly care.

In October 2011, the company announced a new medium-term management plan. With the vision of "becoming the world's No. 1 company in the education sector" and "positioning the elderly care business as a key growth area and aiming for further growth," the company is pursuing globalization, next-generation education, and expansion of its senior care and elderly care businesses.

2010

• Bon Sejour Corporation becomes a subsidiary

2011

• Benesse Corporation opens a representative office in Indonesia.

2012

• "UP Inc." becomes a subsidiary.
• "Bon Sejour Co., Ltd." merged with "Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd."

2013

• Benesse Palette Co., Ltd. was established to operate a meal delivery service business.

2014

• Leak of personal information occurs
• Establishes Benesse Senior Support Co., Ltd., a nursing care consultation service business
• Minerva Intelligence Co., Ltd. (current name: Benesse BE studio Inc.) becomes a subsidiary

2015

• Establishes Benesse InfoShell Co., Ltd.
• Establishes Benesse i-Career Co., Ltd.

2019

• Classi Corp. and EDUCOM Corp. become subsidiaries

From 2020

2022

• Transfer of all shares of Berlitz Corporation
• Transition to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market

2024

• Delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market
• Benesse MCM Co., Ltd. (established in 2002) and Heart Medical Care Co., Ltd. (established in 2021) have been merged into "Benesse Carios Co., Ltd.," which will operate a nursing care HR business.

2025

• Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd. a holding company in the nursing care and childcare sectors, has been established.
• Digital Hollywood Co., Ltd. becomes a subsidiary.

2026

• The company was split into two separate entities: the education group "Benesse Corporation" and Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd. Group."
• Benesse Holdings, Inc. merges with Benesse Corporation.