Benesse Group Corporate Guide
2023 - 2024

Benesse Holdings, Inc.
https://www.benesse-hd.co.jp/en/

A Message from the President

Benesse Group Corporate Philosophybene（well）＋esse（being）

Benesse=well-being
What is “Benesse”?

The heart of “Benesse” is enjoying the process of moving forward step by step,with resolve, toward the realization of your dreams and aspirations.
Benesse empowers people to solve issues for themselves andto enjoy life to the full at every stage
by offering them the tools and support they need to create well-being.
We aim to be a globally respected corporate group that is supported byand indispensable to customers, communities, and society.
We will contribute positively to society now and in the future.
*Benesse is a word coined from the Latin words “bene”(well) and “esse”(being).

The Purpose of the Benesse Group

Anybody can enjoy lifelong growth.
Toward a world in which everyone can live their own life.
Benesse will continue to aim for these ideals.

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We want Benesse to always be a company
that boldly tackles society’s problems
and helps its customers to live well.
Representative Director and President, CEO
Benesse Holdings, Inc.

Hitoshi Kobayashi

Founded in 1955 as Fukutake Publishing, the Benesse
Group today provides services for people at each life stage
in areas that include education in Japan and globally, nursing
care and childcare, and lifestyles. The foundation for all ofthese business activities is the corporate philosophy of“Benesse,” or “well-being,” that we announced in 1990.
We stand alongside our customers throughout their lives as
they progress toward the realization of their dreams andaspirations and help them to achieve growth and overcome
problems. This commitment is embodied in our unchanging
corporate philosophy, as expressed in the name “Benesse.”
We have remained faithful to this philosophy throughout ourhistory.
Benesse employees share this philosophy as they workwith high aspirations to provide products and services that
help a wide variety of people to enrich their experience ofeach stage of life in their own way.
Our business environment is continually affected by majorsocial changes, such as falling birthrates and technologicalprogress. To realize our unchanging “Benesse” philosophy
and create value that benefits our customers, every individual
employee needs to reaffirm our fundamental purpose andcontinue to take up the challenge of responding to changes
in our customers and society. We believe in the potential ofpeople at every life stage. That is why we are working tenaciously
to build a world in which all kinds of people can progress
through the turning points in their lives and enjoy richer lives
in their own ways in a changing social environment. The Benesse
purpose embodies these aspirations.
In line with this purpose, which represents the coremanagement philosophy for the Benesse Group, we willcontribute to the solution of social issues that affect all
people, while responding to changes in our customers’
needs and helping them to overcome challenges. We will
enhance children’s motivation and confidence toward learningand help them to build skills that will benefit them in the
future. We will help university students and working adults

to learn skills that will advance their careers and enable them
to work energetically in fields that reflect their aspirations andaptitudes. In addition, we will respond to rapid demographic
aging by expanding our efforts to address a shortage of care
workers and promoting digital transformation in the caresector. While accelerating these initiatives, we will also
place even greater importance on our social value and customer
value as the basis for further enhancement of our economic
value through initiatives centered on our purpose.
Benesse’s purpose (reason for existence) is defined by theintersection between our accumulated strengths and needsof society. As a company that seriously addresses social
issues through business and provides total support to its
customers, we are determined to achieve further growth byworking toward the realization of a future society in whichpeople can enjoy well-being (Benesse).

Corporate Philosophy

Benesse = well-being
Throughout our history,
we have remained firmly committed
to our unchanging corporate philosophy.

Our Purpose (reason for existence)
The core management philosophyof the Benesse group.
We will contribute to the solution ofsocial issues that affect all people.

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Business Activities of the Benesse Group
Our Future as a Corporate Group with an Essential Role in Society

We help people to live wellthrough our business activities

Our customer contact points in numbers
Number of children enrolled in Shinkenzemi and
Kodomo Challenge correspondence courses in Japan

Kodomo Challenge overseas enrollment

The Benesse goal — to help people live well.

millionWe provide a broad range of services in five business segments relating to
education, nursing care, childcare, and lifestyles.

Correspondence courses are provided for children aged from0 to 18 years, from preschoolers through to senior high school
students. In addition to providing carefully designed services
individualized for each learner, we use the latest advances indigital education tools to enhance children’s motivation andoptimize their learning outcomes.

millionWe launched Kodomo Challenge in Taiwan in 1989 andexpanded into China in 2006. Overseas enrollment hasreached approximately 0.88 million.
*As of April 2023
*Total number of members in Mainland China and Taiwan*As of April 2023

Total number of students
taking Shinken Simulated Exams and other exams

Pregnancy,
childbirth, andchild-rearing

millionWe help to enhance and enrichfamily life.

Infants

Seniors
Placing importance on deep
respect for people’s individuality,
we facilitate the well-being ofseniors and their families.

We help children to develop
their sense of curiosity andexpand their potential, while
always prioritizing parent-childinteraction.

Well-being
for every individual
University
students andworking adults
We help university students andworking adults to succeed andcontribute in society throughcareer-focused learning.

Elementary,junior high, andsenior high school
students/schools
We provide support for children
and students based on theirlearning styles and needs. We
also work with schools andteachers.

Elementary and junior high schoolsthat have introduced Mirai Seed softwareoverschools

Shinken Simulated Exams are Japan’s most widely usedrange of practice tests for students at private junior highschools and high schools. They provide accurate measurementsof students’current learning progress at the national level,
allowing students to take specific steps to improve their
day-to-day studies and prepare for university entrance exams.

Mirai Seed is tablet-based learning software for use incollaborative, group, and individual learning activities inelementary and junior high schools. First introduced in 2014, it
is contributing to the rapid digitalization of school education
under the Japanese government’s GIGA School Program
through its use in elementary and junior high schools nationwide.

*Total number of examinees in fiscal 2022

*As of April 2023

Number of tutoring centers/learning centers

We help students to achieve individual academic goals byoffering face-to-face instruction with extra attention to detailthrough our community-based services.
* Tot al for Tok yo Individualized Educational Institute, UP, Kyoto Rakusai
Prep School, Tetsur yokukai, Benesse BE Studio, and StudyHacker*As of the end of April 2023

Yearly downloads ofthe Mainichi no Tamahiyo application

This application provides daily access to useful information
covering the stages from pregnancy through to early childhood. It includes expert advice based on the number ofweeks of pregnancy or the number of days since birth. Other
benefits include participation in communities with otherpeople who gave birth in the same month.
*April 2022-March 2023

Number of Udemy users in JapanOver

million

Udemy is an American online video learning platform usedby over 62 million people worldwide. As an Udemy business
partner in Japan, Benesse Corporation is introducing the
program to individuals, businesses, government agencies,
universities, and other users.

Nursing home residents

Approx.
Approximately 17,000 residents live in senior nursing homes
operated by Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd. Most of thesehomes are situated in urban residential areas so that
residents can continue to live in familiar surroundings.
*As of the end of March 2023

*As of March 2023

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Business Activities of the Benesse Group

Elementary, junior highand senior high school
students/schools

Benesse services
ー support for every life stage

Designed to make optimal use of both digital and paper resources, Shinkenzemi correspondence
courses motivate children to learn through content tailored to their growth stages and individual needs.
Programs include detailed guidance provided online or face-to-face at our tutoring centers and learning
centers, as well as community-based services. We encourage children to build their learning skills by
providing support according to their objectives and level of understanding.
We also help teachers to provide quality learning and career guidance through products and services
designed to support the provision of education in changing school environments.

We work alongside individuals and help them to progress toward
the achievement of their dreams and ideals while providing lifelong support
through our diverse lineup of products and services.

Pregnancy,
childbirth, andchild-rearing
Benesse provides support during pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing
by sharing information and knowledge and offering advice through our
publications, websites, mail order sales, and other services under the
Tamahiyo brand. We also help people to enjoy fulfilling lifestyles that reflect
their personal aspirations by using various media to share information abouthome life and pets, and by supporting community development.

Infants
We offer educational services, such as the Kodomo Challenge
correspondence course, that are designed for each stage in achild’s development. These programs help children to acquire
life skills and encourage them to think for themselves, while
stimulating their interest in a wide range of topics according to theirage. Benesse also helps children to develop learning skills from
infancy onwards through its intellectual development and English
language programs. These are provided both online and at physicalvenues.

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Seniors
Benesse works alongside individuals and helps them toenjoy lifestyles that match their needs and aspirations inJapan’s rapidly aging society. We offer an extensive rangeof services for seniors, especially nursing care.

Our challenge — to provide
solutions to customers’ needs
in a changing social environment
We are continually expanding our business activities to meet the changing needs of ourcustomers at each life stage. In addition to the continuing transformation of our educational
businesses through innovation, we are also developing new services for university students
and working adults.

Reskilling solutions focused onorganizational DX
and career education

University students
and working adults
Benesse offers overseas study programs, employment support, andother services designed to help people to make choices that match
their own aspirations as they progress through life. Our support
services, including online education programs, help working adults
to expand their potential through lifelong learning.

Learning support for seniorhigh school students preparing
for the expanded year-end
university entrance exam system

Our programs cover areas ranging from advanced
information technology to business skills. In addition
to learning programs for individuals, we also offer
DX training for business corporations, government
agencies, and local governments, while providing
structures that enable participants to pursue career
education in universities and other educational
institutions and use their new knowledge to develop
their careers.

There has been a rapid increase in the number ofpeople sitting year-end university entrance exams.
Benesse works with school teachers to provide
students with career guidance and pre-matriculation
study support through diagnostic and work
programs provided through smartphones and otherdevices.

Fun learning styles
to counter a downward trend
in the motivation to learn

Sharing our knowledge to improve
the quality of nursing carein Japan’s super-aged society

A new Shinkenzemi learning style is now available
through software created for the Nintendo Switch™.
This new approach turns study into an enjoyable
gaming experience and increases motivation to learn
through competition with family and friends.

Through its website, Benesse Style Care sharesnursing care techniques and other knowledge withsociety. This information is available not just to
nursing care professionals, but to everyone involvedin the provision of care. The website also offers
information about geriatric diseases, pharmaceuticals,
and other topics.

*Programs are available for children from Year 5 of elementary
school through to Year 1 of junior high school.

Creating new and diverse learning styles with the focus on individual needs

Fostering curiosity about the future
through small-group online courses
with the emphasis on dialogue

ICT learning service
tailored to children’s development
characteristics

We work with top professionals in various fields,
including entrepreneurs and artists, to enhancecuriosity-based learning programs for students at alllevels and in all fields of study. These programs
develop future-oriented skills by putting questions toparticipants and encouraging them to think, learn,
and act for themselves.

This service was initially trialed in Shinagawa City,
Tokyo in 2021 and has since been introduced by
local governments and elementary schools
throughout Japan. By optimizing learning programsfor each individual’s characteristics, the systembuilds confidence and helps children to enjoy
learning.

Scope: Elementary and junior high school students

8*This service received the top prize in the 2022 Japane-Learning Awards.

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Sustainability Policies and ESG of the Benesse Group

Benesse Holdings, Inc.

The Benesse group aims
to contribute to social sustainability
through its business activities

Corporate Information

As befits our name, which means “well-being,” and our purpose, Benesse Group management andName
Locations

Benesse Holdings, Inc.

Representatives
Date established
Capital
Employees(consolidated)
Securities listing

Hitoshi Kobayashi, Representative Director and President, CEO

Headquarters: 3-7-17 Minamigata, Kita-ku, Okayama-shi, Okayama 700-0807, JapanTokyo Headquarters: 1-34 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tokyo 206-0033, Japan
January 28, 1955
13,817 million yen (as of March 31, 2023)
16,637 (as of March 31, 2023)
Tokyo Stock Exchange/Prime Market (Ticker code:9783)
Headquarters

employees are united in their efforts to solve social issues that affect people at each life stage,
while achieving corporate growth and contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

Tokyo Headquarters

Financial Data (Consolidated)
Net sales (billions of yen)

〈 Examples of sustainability and ESG initiatives 〉

439.4 448.5 427.5 431.9

Operating income (billions of yen)

411.8

21.2
16.2

Establishment of the Benesse Well-being Lab
as a forum for social collaboration on
the creation of approaches to well-being

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2019

20.1 20.6

2021(Years ended March 31)

The Benesse Well-being Lab is a forum for dialogue among diverse people,

Nursing Careand Childcare
32.2％

13.0

2020

Other 0.5％

2022

2023

(Years ended March 31)

Net sales bybusiness segment（for the year ended
March 31, 2023）

Education
Business
in Japan
50.8％

Kids&Family

16.5％

including experts, about what it means to thrive and prosper. Activities include
Well-being experts participate in a workshop.

information distribution and workshops.

History of the Benesse Group
1955

Initiatives to raise employee awarenessabout the importance of independent action

Founded as Fukutake Publishing Co., Ltd. in Minamigata, Okayama City.
Started publication of educational materials and student pocketbooks
for junior high school students.

1962

We help our employees to take action toward the solution of social issues throughinitiatives based on our corporate philosophy and purpose by giving them
opportunities to stop and think. Activities include seminars and lectures.

Launched Kansai Simulated Exams for senior high school students.
(Shinken Simulated Exams introduced nationwide in 1973.)

Consolidated three nursing care-related Group companies to form Benesse
Style Care Co., Ltd.
Acquired Shinken-AD Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary.
Established Benesse Hong Kong Co., Ltd.

2006

Acquired Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary.

1969

Launched Correspondence Education Seminar for senior high school students.

2007

1972

Launched Correspondence Education Seminar for junior high school students.

Acquired Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, Inc. as a subsidiary.
Established Benesse Corporation China.

1980

Announced “enculturation, computerization, and globalization” as corporate
identity (CI) at first CI review.
Launched Shinkenzemi Elementary School Course.

2009

Established Tokyo Educational Institute Co., Ltd.
Changed Benesse Group to a holding company system.
Changed name to Benesse Holdings, Inc.

1988

Launched Shinkenzemi Preschool Course (later renamed “Kodomo Challenge”).
Established the Taipei Office.

2010

Acquired Bon Sejour Corporation as a subsidiary.

2012

Acquired UP Inc. as a subsidiary.
Merged Bon Sejour Corporation into Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd.

2013

Established Benesse Palette Co., Ltd. to provide food delivery services.

2014

Established Benesse Senior Support Co., Ltd. to operate a nursing careconsultation service.
Acquired Minerva Intelligence Co., Ltd. (now Benesse BE studio Inc.) as a
subsidiary.

2015

Established Benesse InfoShell Co., Ltd.
Established Benesse i-Career Co., Ltd.

2016

Established Benesse Socius, Inc.

2019

Acquired Classi Corp. as a subsidiary.

2020

Acquired StudyHacker Inc. as a subsidiary.

2021

Acquired Proto Medical Care Co., Ltd. (now Heart Medical Care Co.,Ltd.) as a
subsidiary.

2022

Divested entire shareholding in Berlitz Corporation.

2023

Merged Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd. into UP Inc.
Acquired Kyoto Rakusai Prep School as a subsidiary.

Employees participate in cross-organizational
discussions.

Highest “leader” rating in CDP’s 2022 Supplier
Engagement Rating survey for the fourth straight year
< Benesse Holdings ＞
Benesse Holdings was assessed at CDP Climate Change Leadership Level A- inrecognition of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate or adapt
to climate change. We also received the highest rating in CDP’s 2022 Supplier
Engagement Rating survey for the fourth straight year.

Socially Responsible Investing（SRI）indexes

2003

1990

Announced “Benesse” as corporate philosophy and brand at second CI review.

1991

Completed construction of the Benesse Logistics Center in Okayama
Prefecture, Japan.

1993

Acquired Berlitz International, Inc. (later renamed Berlitz Corporation),
the world’s largest language services company, as a subsidiary. Launched theTamago Club and Hiyoko Club magazines.

1994

Relocated the Tokyo Office (now the Tokyo Headquarters) to Tama-shi,Tokyo.

1995

Changed name to Benesse Corporation.
Listed on the Second Section of the Osaka Securities Exchange (OSE).

1996

Launched the THANK YOU! magazine.

1997

Benesse’s stock listing moved to the First Section of the OSE.

2000

Third-party ESG assessments
＊2
＊4
＊5
＊6

＊1

2001

＊3

＊2

＊2

Listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Established Benesse Care Corporation to provide nursing care services.
Acquired Shinkoukai Co., Ltd., a provider of residential-care services forseniors, as a subsidiary.
Acquired Berlitz International, Inc. (later renamed Berlitz Corporation)
as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Established Learn-S Co., Ltd., a publisher of educational materials for seniorhigh schools.

Benesse Art Site Naoshima

Benesse Holdings, Inc.
https://www.benesse-hd.co.jp/en/

Benesse Holdings and the Fukutake Foundation arecollaboratively contributing to community development* The inclusion of Benesse Holdings, Inc. in any MSCI index, and the use of MSCI
logos, trademarks, service marks or index names herein, do not constitute asponsorship, endorsement or promotion of Benesse Holdings, Inc. by MSCI or
any of its affiliates. The MSCI indexes are the exclusive property of MSCI. MSCI
and the MSCI index names and logos are trademarks or service marks of MSCI
or its affiliates

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through art at Benesse Art Site Naoshima on the shores*1 Benesse Corporation *2 Benesse Business-mate, Inc.
*3 Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, Inc. *4 Benesse BE studio Inc.
*5 Benesse Senior Support Co., Ltd. *6 Benesse BASE COM Co., Ltd.

of Seto Inland Sea. We work with local people to create
new value and disseminate the concept of Benesse(well-being) to the world.

Yayoi Kusama＂Pumpkin＂2022©YAYOI KUSAMA (Photo: Tadasu Yamamoto)
Issued on June 10, 2023

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