Kowa Computer Acquires Visual Japan Shares from DNP, Accelerating Bookstore DX toward Publishing Distribution Reform

Kowa Computer Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Iwamoto-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Mitsuo Terakawa) has acquired all shares (86.79% stake) of Visual Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tokuhiro Yamada) held by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ichigaya-Kaga-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshinari Kitajima; hereinafter "DNP"). Starting April 1 of this year, Visual Japan will embark on a new chapter as a Kowa Computer group company. By mutually integrating the resources held by both companies, we will build a robust service foundation that contributes to publishing distribution reform. Collaboration Themes Promoting Bookstore DX through Solution Integration Kowa Computer develops publishing and bookstore-specific solutions, including the publishing ERP system "Publishing ERP," the e-book management SaaS "PUBNAVI," "EC sites for publishers," the bookstore POS system "K-POS," the bookstore back-office system "BookAnswer," and the search kiosk "Pit SPOT." We also participate in the bookstore inventory information disclosure project, cooperating in the development of a mechanism that connects and discloses library holdings information with bookstore inventory information. Visual Japan provides bookstore-specific systems such as the "WEBPOS" series to bookstores nationwide. With the current trend of declining bookstore numbers limiting opportunities for readers to encounter books, promoting bookstore DX has become a critical challenge for understanding reader needs and creating appealing store environments. With over 1,500 bookstores currently using both companies' systems, we will leverage the economies of scale from this collaboration to accurately grasp on-site reader needs and build a new form of distribution. Promoting Publishing DX through Digital Short Run (DSR) In cooperation with Visual Japan, Kowa Computer will assist in building the "Future Publishing Distribution Platform" advocated by DNP. Through the widespread adoption of DSR, which enables small-lot, short-lead-time production, we aim to achieve integrated optimization of manufacturing, distribution, and sales, thereby promoting publishing distribution reform. Furthermore, regarding the "DNP Out-of-Print Support Service," where bookstore staff select and plan sales for books they "want to deliver to readers," we will jointly develop a mechanism to efficiently connect the information on out-of-print titles that can be reprinted, held by publishers, with the needs of bookstore floors. Through the collaboration between Kowa Computer and Visual Japan, we aim to provide better bookstore experiences and reform publishing distribution. Company Overviews - Establishment: April 6, 1991 - Address: Iwamoto-cho Toyo Bldg. 5F, 3-1-2 Iwamoto-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo - Capital: 30 million yen - Representative Director: Mitsuo Terakawa - Number of employees: 125 - URL: https://kowa-com.jp/ - Business: Kowa Computer engages in the development, sales, and maintenance of business systems as a unique system integrator specializing in the publishing industry, serving publishers, bookstores, wholesalers, and publishing commission warehouses. Our track record includes implementations for 350 publishers, 90 bookstore corporations with 1,000 stores, 9 wholesalers, and 4 publishing distribution warehouses. - Establishment: February 28, 1989 - Address: 1-29-4 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo - Capital: 50 million yen - Representative Director: Tokuhiro Yamada - Number of employees: 25 - URL: https://www.visualjapan.co.jp/ - Business: Computer software development, sales, maintenance, and various media production including design. The flagship "WEBPOS" series offers a lineup tailored to store size and handled products, ranging from low-priced register versions providing only the minimum necessary functions for a POS register, to the "MEDIASTORE" capable of unified management of everything from books to stationery, general goods, CDs, and games.