Our History

1931

• “Jitsuryoku-Zoshin-kai” established at Kashiwagi Yodobashi-cho, Toyotama-gun, Tokyo. Commenced educational services, mainly distance correspondence education. The founder, Yutaka Fujii, was a former English teacher born in 1898 in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Pref.

1945

• Evacuated from Tokyo to escape the air raids, and settled in Nakaizu-cho, Tagata-gun, Shizuoka Pref.

1952

• Changed company name to “Zoshin-kai”, with the abbreviation “Z-kai”; resumed services.

1979

• Relocated to a newly-constructed headquarters building in Nagaizumi-cho, Sunto-gun, Shizuoka Pref.
• Introduced computers to begin streamlining and to improve efficiency.

1981

• Started distribution of textbooks at designated bookstores.

1982

• Launched distance correspondence courses for students studying for high school entrance examinations.

1985

• Converted to a joint-stock corporation.
• Opened a cram school, “Shingaku Z-kai”, in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

1986

• Launched model entrance examination service for junior high school students.
• Opened offices in Tokyo and Osaka.

1991

• Launched preparatory course for the entrance examination to the University of Tokyo.

1992

• Constructed Tokyo Building in Ebisu, Tokyo.
• Published the first edition of “Sokudoku-Eitango 1, 2” (Vocabulary building).

1994

• Opened Osaka Learning Center to launch preparatory course for the entrance examination to the University of Kyoto.

1995

• Opened Ochanomizu Learning Center to operate preparatory course for the entrance examination of the University of Tokyo.

1999

• Transferred cram school business in the Tokyo metropolitan area to Tokyo Zoshinkai Inc.
• Published “Oxford Word Power Dictionary”.
• Launched distance correspondence course for elementary school students.

2000

• Transferred cram school business in the Kansai region to Tokyo Zoshinkai Inc.
• Transferred publishing business to Z-kai Publishers Inc.

2001

• Constructed Ochanomizu Building in Kanda-Sudacho, Tokyo.

2002

• Published “Word Power Fully Bilingual Dictionary”.
• Launched Business Development Courses.

2003

• Changed the name of Tokyo Zoshinkai Inc. to Z-kai Taimen Kyoiku Inc. (cram school).

2006

• Merged Zoshinkai Publishers Inc. (distance correspondence education service), “Z-kai Taimen Kyoiku” (cram school business) and Z-kai Publishers Inc., to form Z-kai Inc.

2007

• Launched video streaming courses.
• Launched Gakken Classrooms / Z-kai Courses.

2008

• Acquired a part of the university entrance examination business of Gakkyusha Co.,Ltd.
• Entered a business and capital alliance with ICHISHIN CO., LTD.
• Entered a business and capital alliance with With us Corporation

2009

• Constructed Z-kai Bunkyo-cho Building in Mishima.
• Entered a business and capital alliance with Eikoh Inc.

2010

• Launched a distance correspondence course for 4/5 year-old preschool students.

2011

• Established Facultas Co.,Ltd.

2012

• Launched “Digital Z”, providing digital educational materials for pre-school and elementary students.

2013

• Established Z-kai CA Inc.

Jan. 2015

• Invested in igsZ., Ltd.
• Established Z-kai Learning Technology Inc.

Jun. 2015

• Opened Z-kai Individual Teaching Center in Futakotamagawa.

Jul. 2015

• Formed a long-term strategic partnership with Knewton, Inc. to develop adaptive learning products for students.

Aug. 2015

• Formed a business alliance with KDDI to provide educational services making use of the advantages of ICT.

Sep. 2015

• Formed a business alliance with Edmodo, Inc. to develop and provide SNS and learning platforms for schools.

Oct. 2015

• Established Z-kai Educe Inc.

Jan. 2016

• Agreed with Peason Japan K.K. to develop and provide a new digital English educational service.

Feb. 2016

• Formed a business alliance with RareJob Inc. to sell online English conversation products and to develop English language educational services.