Consolidated net sales in the Education Group were ¥244.5 billion, up 10.3% year on year.

The higher net sales reflect a 487 thounsand people year-on-year increase in cumulative enrollment in Benesse's mainstay Shinkenzemi and Kodomo Challenge correspondence courses, to 43,900 thounsand students. There was a 60,000 person increase in the number of enrollees in these correspondence courses at the start of the fiscal year from the 3.96 million students enrolled in April 2008, and numbers increased steadily throughout the year. In addition, the Company raised prices for the Shinkenzemi and Kodomo Challenge courses. The overall Education Group sales increase also reflects the first full year of sales from Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, Inc., which became a subsidiary in June 2007; only nine months' sales from this company were included in consolidated operating results in the previous fiscal year.

In the Shinkenzemi business, Benesse launched Shinkenzemi Junior High School Course +i for first-year junior high school students in 2008 and then for second-year junior high school students in 2009. This course combines internet-based learning with traditional teaching materials, mainly paper based. The Company also continued to strengthen marketing activities during the past fiscal year. In Kodomo Challenge, in particular, the Company developed business alliances with other companies, including Procter & Gamble Japan K.K. (P&G), at the same time as focusing on expanding contact with customers through nursery schools, pre-schools, obstetricians and gynecologists and in other areas. Due to these products and services and stronger marketing, the number of enrollees in Japan in April 2009 was 4040 thousands, an increase of 80 thousands on April 2008. Courses for elementary school students, in particular, set a new enrollment record.

Overseas, in April 2009, the number of enrollees in preschool courses was 150,000 and 120,000 in China and South Korea, respectively, representing year-on-year increases of 50,000 members in each country, as membership bases continued to expand steadily. Benesse has been conducting preschool courses in China and South Korea since 2006.

In business aimed at schools, the Company steadily grew sales volumes of core products for high schools, namely Shinken Simulated Exams and Study Support courses, even amid a declining number of children in Japan. Sales increased steadily in monetary terms as a result, reaching an all-time high.

Operating income for fiscal 2008 was ¥40.0 billion, up 23.1% year-on-year, due mainly to higher cumulative enrollment and price revisions in correspondence courses.

Various payment methods are available, with progressively larger discounts for lump-sum payments made in advance. In the case of early withdrawal, refunds are made for courses that have not been completed.