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The Education Business: The Core Business of the Benesse Group
The Benesse Group's corporate philosophy is based on the idea of helping each individual to "well-being," and the Group's education business lies at the heart of our efforts to achieve this goal. In Japan, our society will continue to transform in the years ahead, as aging demographics become more pronounced and trends such as digitalization and globalization gain momentum. In this context, the Benesse Group has an extremely vital role to play in helping children to survive and flourish, and to carve out their own future, in any environment they may face.
Respond to Diverse Needs, Promote Joy in Learning and Accomplishment
Benesse Corporation is working to strengthen its education-related businesses, including both correspondence courses and businesses aimed at schools.
In the correspondence course business, Benesse has developed two main product segments?the Kodomo Challenge series of courses aimed at young children, and Shinkenzemi courses for students in each grade from primary school through high school. Benesse maintains a dominant position in the market for correspondence courses throughout Japan. To meet customers' increasingly diverse needs, courses are attentively tailored to match school textbooks, student aptitude, and other characteristics. In addition, Benesse in April 2008 unveiled the revolutionary new "+i" series of correspondence courses for junior high school students, which pair internet-based instructional materials with traditional "paper-based" correspondence course materials. Spring 2011 saw the launch of a similar series for high school students, accessible both by PC and mobile phone. Going forward, Benesse intends to continue making revisions to its products and business model to adapt to a changing society.
In businesses aimed at schools, Benesse has developed products such as Shinken Simulated Exams (tests that simulate university entrance exams) and Study Support, which helps students plan their educational path. Through the cooperation of schools and teachers, Benesse will try to foster a desire among young people to improve themselves by helping them to enjoy their studies and take pride in their sense of accomplishment.
Necessities for the Children Who Are Our Future
To offer broader support to students so that they can take greater enjoyment in their studies, Benesse has begun to develop a robust network of prep schools (juku in Japanese). Since 2006, it has acquired Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, Inc., and Tetsuryokukai. By combining expertise from the correspondence course business and education programs, Benesse is promoting greater synergies in its education business.
In the 1990s, Benesse began its full-scale advancement into the English education and global leadership training fields. This decision reflected the company's prediction that English would one day become part of the elementary school curriculum in Japan, as well as the realities of ongoing globalization. Along these lines, Benesse is pursuing serious English education for small children, and offering new products and services aimed at developing globally minded children who will be an active force in the future.
At Benesse, we believe that the motivation to learn and the act of learning cultivate the next age and create the future. Aiming for a future filled with hope and happiness in the eyes of every child, Benesse will continue to support the basic desire of all people to improve themselves.
