GMO Media and Taishukan Shoten Jointly Develop AI-Powered Learning Support Service 'Kakukoto AI' to Foster Writing Skills, Launching April 2027

GMO Media Inc. (President and Representative Director: Teruyuki Mori, hereinafter GMO Media), a member of the GMO Internet Group, has jointly developed 'Kakukoto AI', a learning support AI service specialized in descriptive questions and essays for high schools and educational institutions, with Taishukan Shoten Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Kazuyuki Suzuki, hereinafter Taishukan Shoten), a long-standing publisher of Japanese language textbooks. This service, which supports everything from creating descriptive questions and essays to scoring and correction using AI, will be launched in April 2027. 'Kakukoto AI' leverages evaluation expertise cultivated in Japanese language education and an AI scoring technology for which a patent is pending (Patent Application 2025-192632) to support the development of each student's 'writing ability (writing)' while also contributing to reducing the burden of scoring and evaluation on teachers. Ahead of the full launch in April 2027, a trial version is scheduled to be released around autumn 2026. Applications for priority information regarding this trial version are now being accepted from school officials and educational institutions. [Background of the Service Launch] In current university entrance exams, the proportion of selection categories that include descriptive questions in individual academic ability tests for general selection is nearly 100% for national and public universities (99.9% for national, 98.4% for public) and about 40% (37.1%) for private universities (*). However, evaluating descriptive and essay questions requires an objective perspective, making it difficult for current high school students to adequately prepare through regular subject study and self-study alone. Furthermore, because scoring and evaluation are time-consuming, it is also difficult to secure sufficient learning opportunities for students to engage with descriptive and essay questions. (*) Based on the results of the Reiwa 6 (2024) University Entrance Examination Actual Condition Survey (press release April 1, 2025) (https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20250815-mxt_daigakuc02-000044214_14.pdf) [What is 'Kakukoto AI'?] (URL: https://www.taishukan.co.jp/item/kakukoto_ai/) 'Kakukoto AI' is a learning support AI service specialized in descriptive questions and essays. The AI thoroughly supports everything from question creation to scoring and correction, fostering each student's 'writing ability (writing)'. This service was jointly developed by Taishukan Shoten, which possesses extensive knowledge and evaluation know-how in Japanese language education, and GMO Media, which has a pending AI patent (Patent Application 2025-192632) related to scoring devices, scoring methods, and scoring programs. The service systematically includes problems from basic to advanced levels, catering to a wide range of proficiency levels, from students who struggle with descriptive writing and essays to those aiming for top-tier schools. Furthermore, with its AI automatic scoring function, it contributes to solving on-the-ground challenges such as scoring burden and lack of study time. Kakukoto AI Service Introduction Video: https://youtu.be/KEO8GwMJgxo ■ Now Accepting Applications for Priority Trial Version Information For 'Kakukoto AI', applications for priority information regarding the trial version scheduled for release around autumn 2026 are now being accepted from school officials and educational institutions. The priority information will sequentially provide details about the service and the trial version. Those wishing to receive priority information can apply via the following URL: Priority Information Application URL: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJbCzm8V0AcvaY7_6RWA9T1Xi5qPy2-NUvdQ_B60V-rAuKaA/viewform ■ Main Features Joint Development with Textbook Publisher: High Reliability and Rich Problem Lineup Compatible with Taishukan Shoten's Japanese language textbooks. Includes a wide range of problems, from basics like dependency analysis and use of connective expressions to university entrance exam-level essays. Two Scoring Modes Selectable According to Teaching Style 1. Teacher Support Mode AI creates a 'draft' for scoring and evaluation. The teacher reviews and edits the AI's proposal before returning it to the student. This allows for incorporating the teacher's unique perspective and providing individualized instruction. 2. AI Automatic Scoring Mode As soon as a student submits an answer, the AI's scoring result is returned instantly. Immediate feedback enables efficient self-study time. Learning Screen to Boost Student Motivation Supports handwriting recognition in addition to keyboard input. Also allows visualization of past history and growth levels through graphs. Centralized Online Management from Question Creation to Student Management Allows real-time confirmation of the entire class's progress and individual evaluations. Question distribution and deadline management can all be completed online. Service Name: Kakukoto AI Launch Date: April 2027 (Trial version scheduled for around autumn 2026) URL: https://www.taishukan.co.jp/item/kakukoto_ai/ [About GMO Media] (URL: https://www.gmo.media/) Since its founding, GMO Media has focused on media operations, a group of self-developed and self-operated services on the internet. Currently, it operates point-related businesses such as 'Kantan Game Box by GMO' (earn points by playing games) and industry-specific businesses like the programming education portal 'Coeteco by GMO' and the beauty medical ticket site 'Kirei Pass by GMO'. Furthermore, as a solution business, it supports partner monetization through services like 'GMO Repeatas' (supporting the construction and operation of point sites based on know-how cultivated in media operations), the affiliate service provider 'Affi Town by GMO' (performance-based advertising), and the gift campaign tool 'Gifco by GMO' (easily implement compelling gift campaigns). [Contact Information for Service Inquiries] GMO Media Inc., Business Development Headquarters, Education Service Division TEL: 03-5456-2626 E-mail: coeteco-support@gmo.media [GMO Media Inc.] (URL: https://www.gmo.media/) Company Name: GMO Media Inc. (TSE Growth Market, Securities Code: 6180) Location: Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Representative: Teruyuki Mori, President and Representative Director Business: Media Business, Solution Business Capital: 761,970,000 yen [GMO Internet Group Inc.] (URL: https://group.gmo/) Company Name: GMO Internet Group Inc. (TSE Prime, Securities Code: 9449) Location: Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Representative: Masatoshi Kumagai, Representative Director and Group Representative Business: Holding company (group management functions), Internet Infrastructure Business, Internet Security Business, Internet Advertising and Media Business