[Mahjong, but in Japanese class!?] The day play became a Japanese lesson.

NEXT Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Masato Suzue)'s hiragana Mahjong "Hiragajan" has been adopted for 2nd-grade Japanese classes in an elementary school in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture. Based on the concept of "Mahjong rules, word materials," it has surpassed 80,000 units sold in just 1.5 years since its launch in 2024. Its active role is now rapidly expanding in educational settings, homes, and welfare facilities.

▌ What is "Hiragajan"?

Hiragana Mahjong Hiragajan tile version in play.

Hiragajan Official Website: https://hiragajong.com/

"Hiragajan" is an entirely new educational activity that uses hiragana instead of tiles (pai) based on the Mahjong game system. Players repeatedly draw and discard hiragana tiles, aiming to complete a "hand" with words of two or more characters.

Since it does not require reading or writing kanji, even those new to Mahjong can immediately enjoy it. Its characteristic "flat design" allows people of all ages and experience levels to play equally at the same table, gaining support from children to seniors.

- Playable for beginners - No kanji required. Anyone who can read hiragana starts on an equal footing. - Strengthens vocabulary and thinking skills - The process of thinking "Can this character form a word?" leads to natural learning. - Natural conversation emerges - When a hand is completed, dialogue expands with "Why did you choose that word?"

▌ About its adoption in 2nd-grade Japanese classes

Scenes of actual use in Japanese class.

Hiragajan Official Website: https://hiragajong.com/

In 2025, Hiragajan was adopted for 2nd-grade Japanese classes at an elementary school in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture. The experience of children naturally searching for, combining, and presenting words through the game is drawing attention as an "active linguistic activity" not achievable with traditional textbook learning.

Our company will continue to promote its introduction into various educational and welfare settings, including after-school programs, Japanese language schools, and dementia prevention programs.

▌ Making society warmer through "play"

The desire of NEXT Inc. for Hiragajan is to "connect people through the power of play." In today's increasingly digital world, face-to-face communication through words is becoming more precious. Hiragajan is not just a game; it was designed as a tool to create a "place where people can think and laugh together" across generations, experiences, and backgrounds.

From fostering children's vocabulary to preventing dementia in the elderly and Japanese language learning for foreigners – the possibilities for utilizing Hiragajan, centered on "words," are limitless.

In the summer of 2026, we plan to release the "PRO version," which reproduces the authentic feel of Mahjong tiles and is compatible with household automatic Mahjong tables, aiming for wider adoption in a more familiar form. In the future, our goal is to further deepen cooperation with educational institutions and welfare facilities both domestically and internationally, and to deliver Hiragajan to the world as a "language communication tool from Japan."

▌ Cumulative sales of 80,000 units exceeded and social spread

Scenes from the donation in Midori City, Gunma Prefecture.

Hiragajan Official Website: https://hiragajong.com/

Cumulative sales exceeded 80,000 units in about 1.5 years since the card version's launch in 2024. Usage scenes are diverse, including homes, schools, corporate training, and nursing care facilities. In April 2025, it was featured on TBS's "Love It!", leading to a rapid increase in general awareness.

Furthermore, in December 2025, 521 units were donated to Midori City, Gunma Prefecture, and a project to donate 1,000 units free of charge to 100 facilities nationwide also commenced. It is also attracting attention as an approach to social issues.

▌ Product Overview

Product Name: Hiragana Mahjong "Hiragajan" Type: Card version / Tile version (on sale) Target Age: 7 years and older (recommended for elementary school students and above) Players: 2-4 people Sales URL: https://hiragajong.com/ Cumulative Sales: 80,000 units exceeded (as of April 2026) Media Coverage: - Love It! (broadcast April 2025) - Ohayo Asahi Desu (broadcast January 2026) - Seiyu to Yo Asobi (broadcast January 2026 / ABEMA) YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL70mrJAiIXJJsmjFLb6AMO3E__hsoK5Z1&si=d0c_qHbCCcfwKn6o

▌ Company Profile

Company Name: NEXT Inc. Location: 1-3-8 Shiba Daimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Business Description: Planning and sales of board games and educational content Corporate URL: https://nextjp.co.jp/ Brand URL: https://hirag