Fujisan Magazine Service

Basic Information

Stock Code
3138
Industry
Retail
Category Detail
Internet Site Operations
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
July 2002
Listing Year
July 2015
Official Website
https://www.fujisan.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
ZOZO, Hamee, Market Enterprise, BEENOS, Jade Group, iSTYLE, Enigmo, Mercari, Rakuten Group, Piara, Tokyo Communication G, C Channel, Wireless G

Overview

Fujisan Magazine Service was founded in 2002 and specializes in online magazine sales and digital distribution, deploying an innovative subscription service unique in the industry.

Current Situation

Fujisan Magazine Service achieved consolidated sales of approximately ¥5.1 billion and net profit of approximately ¥200 million in the fiscal year ended December 2020. Centered on operating an online magazine bookstore, it covers a wide range from print subscription services to electronic magazine sales. It has strengthened digital distribution and EC site operations through business alliances and subsidiary establishments. Under the leadership of Representative Director Shinichiro Nishino, it has entered into capital alliances with companies such as Culture Convenience Club, enhancing its competitiveness in the industry. Corporate premium services and electronic magazine distribution businesses are also expanding. It focuses on sustainability initiatives and eco-related efforts, formulating mid- to long-term growth strategies. It aims to expand its user base in response to rapid digital shifts and changing user needs. While anticipating market fluctuation risks, it strives to improve profitability through service diversification and efficient operations.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Venture company born as an incubation business shortly after founding.
  • Established March 4 as 'Magazine Day' in 2008 and certified by Japan Anniversary Association.
  • Opened Japan's first electronic magazine store 'Fujisan Digital' in 2007.
  • Holds strong capital alliances with multiple major publishers and Culture Convenience Club.
  • Early introduction of unique corporate premium subscription service expanded industry share.
  • Early handling of overseas Chinese and U.S. magazines contributed to global expansion.
  • Achieves broad customer base through dual print and digital services.
  • Established joint venture Idea in 2019 for EC site support to diversify business.
  • Features multi-faceted business expansion including PR subsidiary for media PR enhancement.
  • Maintains efficient management with a lean, elite workforce.
  • Its website is one of Japan's largest magazine sales platforms.
  • Early adoption of iPhone and Android apps to expand digital reader base.
  • Recognized as specialist in supporting publishing industry's shift to online mail order.
  • Domestic top-class online handling of magazine back issues.
  • Established magaport, Japan's only electronic magazine distributor, as joint venture with Dentsu.

Hidden Connections

  • Forms industry-crossing collaboration network through capital and business alliances with numerous major publishing and EC companies.
  • Holds core position in electronic magazine distribution via subsidiary magaport, contributing to digital market growth.
  • Strong service integration such as T-Points through alliance with Culture Convenience Club.
  • Joint venture Idea specializes in promoting digital sales for publishers' EC operations.
  • Expands PR and promotion domain through PR subsidiary 103R.
  • Links to international publishing distribution chain via overseas magazine distribution and translation services.
  • Designation of Magazine Day contributed to enhancing industry brand value.
  • Builds unique model optimizing efficiency with dual print delivery logistics and digital distribution.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Rapid growth and expansion of electronic magazine market
  • Distribution efficiency improvements from digital technology innovations
  • Expansion and diversification of corporate services
  • Increase in digital magazine distribution in overseas markets
  • Marketing optimization through customer behavior analysis
  • Acceleration of publishing industry's shift to online sales
  • Demand growth from increasing mobile users
  • Strengthening digital content production and multi-media deployment
  • Growing consumer support for environmentally considerate services
  • Achieving economies of scale through industry consolidation
  • Enhanced user experience via AI utilization
  • Strengthened collaboration with EC platforms

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve 80% sales ratio from electronic magazines
  • Expand overseas market sales to over 30% of total
  • Grow corporate business revenue to over 50% of total
  • Become industry leader in IT solutions for publishing
  • Sustainability plan targeting 50% reduction in environmental impact
  • Full implementation of sales efficiency via AI and data analysis
  • Market creation through new digital content development
  • Integration and strengthening of diverse sales channels
  • Ongoing digital skills enhancement and talent development for employees
  • Build digital publishing ecosystem in collaboration with partners

Business Segments

Electronic Book Distribution Support

Overview
Provides publishers with electronic magazine distribution infrastructure and management support.
Competitiveness
Extensive magazine lineup and technical support capabilities
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Electronic Book Distribution Platforms
  • Corporate Customers
Products
  • Digital Magazine Distribution Service
  • Back Issue Management
  • Subscription Data Analysis

Corporate Subscription Service

Overview
Provides magazine subscription services specialized for corporations.
Competitiveness
Flexible response capabilities tailored to customer needs
Customers
  • Libraries
  • Educational Corporations
  • Corporations
  • Government Agencies
Products
  • Corporate Subscription Packages
  • Customized Subscriptions
  • Corporate Support

EC Site Operation Support

Overview
Supports EC site operations and development for publishers and retailers.
Competitiveness
Expertise specialized in the publishing industry
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Retailers
  • Online Sellers
Products
  • EC Site Development
  • Operation Consulting
  • Sales Promotion Services

Digital Content Production

Overview
Undertakes planning, production, and distribution of content for electronic media.
Competitiveness
Creative capabilities and digital distribution technology
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Media Companies
Products
  • Electronic Book Planning and Production
  • Digital Advertising Production
  • Content Distribution

Logistics and Order Fulfillment Service

Overview
Logistics support service handling everything from orders to shipping.
Competitiveness
Highly efficient logistics network operations
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Distributors
Products
  • Order and Shipping Management
  • Inventory Management
  • Full-Service Outsourcing

Publication Translation and Import Support

Overview
Provides distribution and translation services for overseas magazines.
Competitiveness
Extensive overseas network
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Importers
Products
  • Foreign Magazine Handling
  • Translation Support
  • Import Clearance Services

Advertising and Promotion Support

Overview
Implements PR and advertising support through its PR business subsidiary.
Competitiveness
Collaboration with specialized PR companies
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Corporations
Products
  • Owned Media Development
  • PR Services
  • Campaign Planning

Mobile Media Service

Overview
Provides media distribution services for mobile devices.
Competitiveness
Specialized know-how in the mobile market
Customers
  • Mobile Carriers
  • Media Operators
Products
  • Mobile Subscription Sites
  • Mobile Advertising
  • Content Distribution

Data Analysis Service

Overview
Provides analysis based on subscription and EC site usage data.
Competitiveness
Analytical capabilities leveraging publishing industry knowledge
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Advertisers
  • Market Research Firms
Products
  • Subscriber Data Analysis
  • Trend Reports
  • User Behavior Analysis

International Services

Overview
Expands magazine distribution and related support for overseas markets.
Competitiveness
Multilingual support and overseas partner network
Customers
  • Overseas Publishers
  • International Media Companies
Products
  • Overseas Rights Handling
  • International EC Integration
  • Translation Distribution Support

New Business Development and M&A

Overview
Handles new business incubation and M&A to expand operations.
Competitiveness
Proactive business expansion stance by management
Customers
  • In-House Related
  • Subsidiaries
  • Investees
Products
  • Business Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Subsidiary Management

Publishing IT Solutions

Overview
Provides construction and maintenance of IT systems for publishing operations.
Competitiveness
Industry-specific IT solutions
Customers
  • Publishers
  • Bookstores
  • Distributors
Products
  • Order System Development
  • Inventory Management Systems
  • Sales Promotion Tools

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Specialization in magazine subscriptions and online sales
  • Accumulated know-how in mail order over many years
  • Diverse digital content distribution system
  • Strong partnerships with the publishing industry
  • Comprehensive corporate services
  • Overseas network supporting multiple languages and regions
  • Financial strength and technical support from capital alliances
  • Efficient logistics from orders to delivery
  • Secured diverse sales channels
  • Early development for mobile devices
  • High expertise in EC site operations
  • Multifaceted media deployment capabilities
  • Unique back issue sales service
  • Utilization of extensive customer database
  • Flexible service design capabilities

Competitive Advantages

  • Differentiation from other mail order companies through market-specialized service lines
  • Pioneer in electronic magazine distribution business
  • Customization capabilities for corporate customers
  • Wide range of magazine genres and overseas magazine handling
  • Improved user convenience through proprietary technologies like electronic book apps
  • Enhanced stability via capital and business alliances with Culture Convenience Club and others
  • High retention rates due to robust customer support
  • Comprehensive support for both digital and print media as a publisher partner
  • Strength in multi-channel sales and promotions
  • Specialized know-how in supporting publishing industry's shift to online sales
  • Marketing support through high-precision subscriber data analysis
  • Diverse payment and delivery options
  • Flexible management responding to rapid market changes
  • Active handling and sales of overseas content
  • Business diversification through numerous subsidiaries and joint ventures

Threats

  • Rapid shift away from print media and revenue structure changes due to digitalization
  • Intensifying competition with major EC platforms
  • Overall contraction in the publishing industry market
  • Risk of increased operating costs from regulatory changes
  • Revenue pressure from digital content piracy
  • Decline in competitiveness due to delays in adopting new technologies
  • Reduced consumer spending during economic downturns
  • Political and economic risks in overseas markets
  • Supply chain disruptions from events like COVID-19
  • Risk of customer data breaches
  • Aggressive low-price strategies by competitors
  • Risk of service outages from IT system failures

Innovations

2020: Latest Version Release of Mobile App 'Fujisan Reader'

Overview
New features significantly improve magazine browsing convenience on smartphones and tablets.
Impact
User numbers increased 20% year-over-year

2021: Renewal of Corporate Subscription Packages

Overview
Launched customizable subscription services tailored to corporate needs.
Impact
Corporate customer numbers increased 15%

2022: Strengthening Electronic Magazine Distribution via Establishment of magaport Co., Ltd.

Overview
Expands electronic magazine distribution business through joint venture with Dentsu.
Impact
Distribution volume increased 30% year-over-year

2023: Introduction of AI-Powered Subscriber Data Analysis System

Overview
Improves purchase behavior prediction accuracy and streamlines sales promotions.
Impact
Campaign effectiveness improved 15%

2024: Expansion of Overseas Electronic Magazine Translation and Distribution Service

Overview
Strengthens multilingual support to drive market expansion.
Impact
Overseas sales increased 20%

2020: Complete Migration of Systems to Cloud Infrastructure

Overview
IT infrastructure renewal improves system stability and scalability.
Impact
Maintained service uptime above 99.9%

2021: Multi-Function Enhancement of Electronic Book Distribution Platform

Overview
Refreshed user interface and diversified payment functions.
Impact
Achieved over 90% customer satisfaction in surveys

2023: Strengthening of Digital Content Production Services

Overview
Expanded planning and production services for publishers to create new revenue streams.
Impact
Sales increased 20%

2022: Advanced Back Issue Sales Functionality

Overview
Improved past issue browsability and simplified purchase processes.
Impact
Back issue sales increased 15%

2024: Launch of Environmentally Considerate Services

Overview
Promotes digital distribution to reduce paper resource consumption.
Impact
Achieved 10% reduction in print purchases

Sustainability

  • Promoting paper resource reduction through digital distribution
  • Advancing paperless operations within the company
  • Promoting use of environmentally friendly servers
  • Implementing environmental education programs for employees
  • Strengthening environmental information sharing with business partners
  • Reducing packaging materials in shipping
  • Setting CO2 emission reduction targets
  • Promoting remote work to reduce commuting
  • Continuous participation in local cleanup activities
  • Expanding use of renewable energy