GRAS Group, Inc.

GRAS Group, Inc. (GRASグループ株式会社) is a Japanese technology company headquartered in Mita, Tokyo. Founded in 2005 in Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, the company was originally named Weblio, Inc. (ウェブリオ株式会社) and is best known for launching the Weblio online dictionary service in 2006. Over the following decade it expanded into a broad portfolio of internet-based language, learning, and education services, including online dictionaries in multiple languages, English conversation services, translation tools, and school-oriented ICT solutions. In 2021 the company changed its corporate name to GRAS Group, Inc. to reflect a broader mission of expanding human potential through technology. The company's stated mission is "to expand people's possibilities through technology" (テクノロジーを通じて、人の可能性を広げる). Its business segments include web learning, school ICT solutions, and other operations such as human-resources matching, media management, and M&A or business alliances. GRAS Group positions itself as aiming to become a "great company" that provides value needed across generations. GRAS Group operates primarily in Japan, with an overseas subsidiary established in the Philippines in 2014 (Philippine Language Center, PLC). It has offices in Tokyo (headquarters in Mita), Kyoto, Oita, Fukuoka, and Nagoya. The company is not publicly listed and its ownership structure is not disclosed in the available evidence. Key historical milestones include the launch of the Weblio dictionary service in 2006, the introduction of mobile and multilingual dictionary services throughout the 2010s, the establishment of the Weblio Artificial Intelligence Laboratory in 2016, and the corporate name change to GRAS Group in 2021. The company has also acquired media businesses from other firms, including from XINOBIX Corporation and T.S. Corporation in 2020.

GRAS Group, Inc. was established in August 2005 in Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, under its original name. In the same month, it launched the 'IT Terminology Dictionary Binary' (IT用語辞典Binary). In September 2005, the headquarters moved to Akihabara, Taito-ku. In January 2006, the company launched the Weblio service with 11 dictionaries. In April 2006, the headquarters moved to Sakuragaoka, Shibuya-ku, and in May 2006 the company changed its trade name to Weblio, Inc. (ウェブリオ株式会社). In August 2006, it launched a thesaurus service, and in November 2006 moved its headquarters to Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku. Throughout the late 2000s and 2010s, Weblio expanded its online dictionary and language services significantly. In July 2007, it launched 'Weblio Mobile' for feature phones. In May 2008, it launched the Weblio Sign Language Dictionary, and in September 2008, English-Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries. In 2010, it introduced the Weblio Pop-up English-Japanese Dictionary (Chrome extension), English example sentence search, and English co-occurrence expression search (concordance). In 2011, it launched a smartphone site, an English vocabulary book, a vocabulary diagnostic test, and a Chinese dictionary. In 2012, it added Japanese-Chinese and Chinese-Japanese dictionaries, an English study column, Weblio Translation, an official corporate homepage, a classical Japanese dictionary, and moved its headquarters to Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. In 2013, it launched premium services, smart translation, English translation apps for Android and iOS, an English question box, and a Korean dictionary. In 2014, it added Japanese-Korean and Korean-Japanese dictionaries, established the Philippine Language Center (PLC) and a local subsidiary, launched Weblio English Conversation, Indonesian dictionary, Silky (a study abroad service), Thai dictionary, Weblio Overseas Expert, English conversation column, and started 'Word of the Year'. In 2015, it opened a Kyoto office, launched a Vietnamese dictionary, commercialized its proprietary handwritten character recognition engine, opened an Oita office, launched AI English conversation 'nanna', opened a Fukuoka office, began providing school-oriented English conversation services, and released Weblio English dictionary apps for Android and iOS. In 2016, it launched Weblio English Conversation for Business, opened the Weblio Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, moved the Fukuoka office to Akasaka, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, released an iOS English conversation app with AI nanna, and launched a speaking test. In 2017, Weblio English Conversation migrated to a new system using WebRTC technology, opened a Nagoya sales office, and opened 'Mirai Junior', an after-school day service incorporating English conversation. In 2018, it launched 'Down Up English' for people with Down syndrome and a French dictionary. In 2019, it held the first Change Maker Awards (CMA) and moved its headquarters to Sangenjaya. In 2020, it acquired media businesses from XINOBIX Corporation, an English conversation school business from株式会社わ, media businesses from T.S. Corporation, and the 'ALL英会話' media business, and moved its headquarters to Mita. In March 2021, the company changed its name to GRAS Group, Inc. (GRASグループ株式会社).

• Established in Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo; launched 'IT Terminology Dictionary Binary'.

• Headquarters moved to Akihabara, Taito-ku.

• Launched Weblio service with 11 dictionaries.

• Headquarters moved to Sakuragaoka, Shibuya-ku.

• Trade name changed to Weblio, Inc. (ウェブリオ株式会社).

• Launched thesaurus service.

• Headquarters moved to Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku.

• Launched 'Weblio Mobile' for feature phones.

• Launched Weblio Sign Language Dictionary.

• Launched English-Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries.

• Launched Weblio Pop-up English-Japanese Dictionary (Chrome extension).

• Launched English example sentence search.

• Launched English co-occurrence expression search (concordance).

• Launched Weblio smartphone site.

• Launched English vocabulary book.

• Launched vocabulary diagnostic test.

• Launched Weblio Chinese dictionary.

• Launched Japanese-Chinese and Chinese-Japanese dictionaries.

• Launched English study column.

• Launched Weblio Translation.

• Opened official corporate homepage.

• Launched classical Japanese dictionary.

• Headquarters moved to Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku.

• Launched premium service.

A technology company aiming to expand human potential and become a long-loved 'great company' through internet-based learning and education services.

• Weblio online dictionary

  A comprehensive online dictionary service launched in 2006, covering multiple languages including English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and French.

• Weblio English Conversation

  An online English conversation service launched in 2014, later migrated to a WebRTC-based system in 2017.

• AI English conversation nanna

  An AI-powered English conversation service launched in 2015.

• Weblio Translation

  An online translation service launched in 2012.

• School ICT solutions

  Solutions to address challenges in schools and educational settings using technology.

• Mirai Junior

  An after-school day service incorporating English conversation, opened in 2017.

• Down Up English

  An English learning service for people with Down syndrome, launched in 2018.

1. 1GRASグループ株式会社 - コーポレートサイトgras-group.co.jp
2. 2沿革 - GRASグループ株式会社gras-group.co.jp
3. 3GRASグループについて - GRASグループ株式会社gras-group.co.jp
4. 4企業情報 - GRASグループ株式会社gras-group.co.jp
5. 5GRAS Group, Inc. - Wikidatawikidata.org