Switching to online streaming and web sales amid restrictions on offline activities

「The company also streams “Hobonichi LIVE Commerce,” which introduces various Hobonichi products through live broadcasts, and distributes popular archived articles through external media such as the LINE account media.」

「During the spring break, we are also holding classes where participants learn while taking walks around town with plant observer Jun Suzuki, as well as live recordings for children, expanding opportunities for in-person interaction.」

「During the period, we released videos featuring video creator Hajime Shacho (はじめしゃちょー), former professional baseball player and entrepreneur Yuki Saito (斎藤佑樹), and journalist Eiji Furukawa (古川英治), who reports on the current situation in Ukraine. We also held events featuring active nursery teacher T先生 (てぃ先生) and typeface designer Osamu Toriumi (鳥海修), among others, increasing opportunities for in-person communication.」

「As part of its other business activities, the video service “HOBONICHI School,” provided through an app and website, distributes classes by instructors from a wide range of fields, both well-known and otherwise, with the concept “Meet people and hear what they have to say.” The service aims to create a new “space” for learning. Recently, in addition to video streaming, the company has stepped up live events, including a film screening with a three-way discussion featuring the author of the manga “BLUE GIANT”; a talk show with a mini-workshop held in collaboration with the stage production “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle,” based on a novel by Haruki Murakami (村上春樹); and a discussion between entertainer Hikaru Ijuin (伊集院光) and Shigesato Itoi (糸井重里). The company also continues its business partnership with All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) and provides video content to ANA customers. In addition, it distributes live-streamed product introductions through “HOBONICHI LIVE Commerce” and popular archived articles through external media such as LINE account media.」

「As part of its other business activities, the video service “HOBONICHI School,” provided through an app and website, distributes classes by instructors from a wide range of fields, both well-known and otherwise, with the concept “Meet people and hear what they have to say.” The service aims to create a new “space” for learning.」

「We released more than 290 videos by the end of May 2023, including videos featuring actor Kiichi Nakai (中井貴一) and music producer Seiji Kameda (亀田誠治). Outside the app and website, we held a live recording of “HOBONICHI School Special Class at the Pleasures of Life Exhibition” as a related project. It provided an opportunity to experience 6 special classes in person and introduced “HOBONICHI School” to many new people. We also continued our business partnership with All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) and continued providing video content to ANA customers.」

「By the end of February 2023, the Company had released more than 270 videos, including classes by TV producer Sakuma Nobuyuki (佐久間宣行) and hair and makeup artist Kusaba Taeko (草場妙子), providing an opportunity for many more people to learn about "Hobonichi Gakko." In addition to the app and website, the Company continues to provide video content to ANA customers through its business partnership with ANA.」

「In addition, during the fiscal year the company launched Hobo Nikkan LIVE Commerce, which introduces various Hobo Nikkan products through live streaming, and has been distributing archived popular articles through external media such as Yahoo! and LINE account media.」

「“Seikatsu no Tanoshimi-ten” was held live in Shinjuku for the first time in 3 years, over 6 days from 29 April, generating the highest sales value ever.」

「The company also entered into a business partnership with All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) and began providing video content to ANA customers through the in-flight entertainment systems on international flights from 1 January 2022 and domestic flights from 1 February 2022, under the theme “Learn in the Sky!”」

「Other business activities included the release of the web version of "Hobonichi Gakko" in October 2021, in addition to the app released in June 2021. The Company also formed a business partnership with All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) and plans to begin providing video content to ANA customers through its in-flight entertainment system on international flights from 1 January 2022 and domestic flights from 1 February 2022, under the theme "Learn in the Sky!"」

「We will continue to operate stores and hold events after taking thorough measures against COVID-19, actively promote sales through our online store, and consider and implement measures as appropriate to mitigate the impact on business performance.」

「For products other than planners, sales grew on the strength of continued strong performance by MOTHER-related products sold through the HOBONICHI MOTHER PROJECT, which began sales in June of the previous fiscal year, as well as DELI na Seikatsu no Tanoshimi-ten, held online due to the spread of COVID-19, and Hobo Nikkan’s Earth Ball, whose globe and dedicated app underwent major renewals.」

「In addition to strong web-based sales campaigns, sales of new products resulted in solid online-store sales, and revenue from products other than planners increased 3.2% year on year.」

「As part of its other business activities, the company made videos of past courses from “HOBONICHI School,” recorded in place of offline events, available free of charge for a limited period. On the “HOBONICHI Daily Itoi Newspaper” website, “Let’s Make a Mask with a Handkerchief,” in which Masako Ito (伊藤まさこ) introduced an easy way to make a stylish handmade mask, attracted substantial traffic through social media and became a timely topic. Content from the “HOBONICHI MOTHER PROJECT,” which has many longtime fans, also attracted significant traffic.」