Hikarinokuni Co., Ltd.
Corporate brand
UnclaimedJapanese publisher and manufacturer of early-childhood picture books, childcare magazines, teaching materials and nursery supplies, founded in Osaka in 1946.
Last updated September 26, 2026
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Overview
Hikarinokuni Co., Ltd. (ひかりのくに株式会社) is a Japanese company headquartered in Osaka that specializes in early-childhood education. Founded in 1946 by Yoshio Okamoto as Showa Shuppan, it began by publishing the monthly educational picture book 'Hikarinokuni' and the monthly magazine 'Hoiku' during the post-war period. Over the decades it has grown into a publisher of children's picture books, childcare magazines and teaching books, as well as a manufacturer and seller of nursery supplies, educational materials and playground equipment, and a provider of childcare staffing services. The company's core publishing line includes monthly picture books such as 'Hikarinokuni', 'Kodomo to Shizen', 'Ace Hikarinokuni', 'Gakushu Hikarinokuni', 'Ohanashi Hikarinokuni', 'Piko-chan Ehon', 'All Request' and 'Hikarinokuni Petit Pao', along with the long-running teacher-oriented magazine 'Hoiku to Curriculum', first launched in 1952 as Japan's first guidance-planning magazine. It also publishes picture books, children's encyclopedias and early-childhood education books. Beyond publishing, Hikarinokuni develops and sells childcare supplies, furniture and play equipment, including the 'Nakayoshi Land' play structure and the lightweight 'Light Table' for young children, and it has collaborated with fashion designer Hiroko Koshino on nursery uniforms. The company operates a nationwide sales network with branches and sales offices across Japan, and it runs related businesses including the 'Hikarinokuni Kids Staff' staffing service and the 'Merupao' mail-order service. It also established the educational corporation Hikari Gakuen, which operates Miyama Kindergarten and, later, Miyama Kodomoen. Hikarinokuni remains a private company. Its group includes subsidiaries such as Osaka Shuppan Ryutsu Center, Kyushu Hikarinokuni and Hiruma Co., Ltd. The company continues to serve kindergartens and nursery schools throughout Japan, positioning itself around the mission of supporting children's growth and the future of early-childhood education.
History
Hikarinokuni traces its origins to January 1946, when Yoshio Okamoto founded Showa Shuppan Co., Ltd. in Osaka with capital of 125,000 yen. In the same year the company launched the monthly educational picture book 'Hikarinokuni' and the monthly magazine 'Hoiku'. In June 1949 it opened a Tokyo branch, and in August 1950 it increased its capital to 2 million yen. In February 1952 the company changed its name to Hikarinokuni Showa Shuppan Co., Ltd., and in April of that year it launched 'Gekkan Hoiku Curriculum', which the company describes as Japan's first guidance-planning magazine. In August 1952 it held the first Summer Childcare Grand Training Session in Osaka. In October 1956 the company built a new head office building. It increased capital to 10 million yen in January 1963 and launched the monthly educational picture book 'Kodomo to Shizen' in April 1964. In April 1967 it partnered with Unitika Co., Ltd. to sell nursery school uniforms. Capital rose to 20 million yen in December 1968, and in April 1969 it launched 'Ace Hikarinokuni'. In July 1970 the company changed its name to Hikarinokuni Co., Ltd. In August 1971 it held the first New Early Childhood Education Seminar in Tokyo, and in April 1972 it launched 'Gakushu Hikarinokuni'. In May 1972 it received the Child Welfare Culture Encouragement Award from the Minister of Health. In July 1972 it held the first Early Childhood Education Summer College in Kyushu. In April 1974 the magazines 'Hoiku' and 'Gekkan Hoiku Curriculum' were merged into the monthly magazine 'Hoiku to Curriculum'. In July 1975 the company built a distribution warehouse in Settsu, Osaka, and established the affiliated company Osaka Shuppan Ryutsu Center. In April 1976 it launched 'Ohanashi Hikarinokuni'. In November 1977 President Yoshio Okamoto received the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and in December capital increased to 40 million yen. In September 1978 the affiliated company Kyushu Hikarinokuni was established. In April 1979 it launched 'Piko-chan Ehon', and in August it published the Ministry of Education's 'Century of Kindergarten Education' and relocated its Tokyo branch to a new building in Takashimadaira, Itabashi. Capital increased to 50 million yen in December 1980. In November 1982 the company began an online system for its nationwide sales offices. In July 1983 it held the first Early Childhood Education Summer University in the Chubu region. In April 1985 President Yoshio Okamoto received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, and in December capital increased to 60 million yen. In April 1986 it launched 'Zou-san Hikarinokuni'. In August 1987 fashion designer Hiroko Koshino designed Hikarinokuni nursery uniforms. In April 1989 it developed and launched the 'Nakayoshi Land' play structure. In April 1990 it established the educational corporation Hikari Gakuen and opened Miyama Kindergarten, and in December capital increased to 75 million yen. In April 1991 it developed and launched the lightweight 'Light Table' for young children. In May 1994 a new head office building was completed. In May 1995 the company published the '50-Year History of Hikarinokuni' and held its 50th anniversary ceremony; Ken Okamoto became president. In April 1997 it launched 'All Request'. In December 1999 it developed and launched 'Ashiyubi Kenko' Hikarinokuni shoes. In April 2001 it launched the monthly childcare picture book 'Hikarinokuni Petit Pao', and in November it began the 'Hikarinokuni Kids Staff' staffing service for kindergartens and nursery schools. In March 2003 its original picture book 'Natsu no Ike' won the 8th Japan Picture Book Award, and in April it published 'Kodomo no Zukan Mio'. In February 2005, at the request of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, it published 'Education from Early Childhood to Childhood'. In November 2005 it began the 'Merupao' mail-order service. In October 2008 it built a distribution warehouse for the Merupao mail-order division in Settsu, Osaka. In May 2013 it launched the integrated core business online system HERIOS. In April 2014 Hikari Gakuen added a nursery and opened Miyama Kodomoen as a certified center for early childhood education and care. In December 2019 it made Hiruma Co., Ltd. a subsidiary.
- 1986
Launched 'Zou-san Hikarinokuni'.
- 1985
President Yoshio Okamoto received Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette; capital increased to 60 million yen.
- 1983
Held first Early Childhood Education Summer University in Chubu.
- 1982
Started online system for nationwide sales offices.
- 1980
Increased capital to 50 million yen.
- 1979
Launched 'Piko-chan Ehon'; published 'Century of Kindergarten Education'; relocated Tokyo branch to Takashimadaira.
- 1978
Established Kyushu Hikarinokuni.
- 1977
President Yoshio Okamoto received Medal with Purple Ribbon; capital increased to 40 million yen.
- 1976
Launched 'Ohanashi Hikarinokuni'.
- 1975
Built distribution warehouse in Settsu, Osaka; established Osaka Shuppan Ryutsu Center.
Products and positioning
A long-established Japanese specialist in early-childhood education, combining publishing with childcare supplies and services for kindergartens and nursery schools nationwide.
Monthly picture book 'Hikarinokuni'
Monthly picture book 'Kodomo to Shizen'
Monthly picture book 'Ace Hikarinokuni'
Monthly picture book 'Gakushu Hikarinokuni'
Monthly picture book 'Ohanashi Hikarinokuni'
Monthly picture book 'Piko-chan Ehon'
Monthly picture book 'All Request'
Monthly picture book 'Hikarinokuni Petit Pao'
Monthly magazine 'Hoiku to Curriculum'
Picture books and children's encyclopedias
Early-childhood education books
Nakayoshi Land play structure
Light Table for young children
Ashiyubi Kenko Hikarinokuni shoes
Nursery uniforms
Sources5 sources
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