Mingaku Inc. and Kyogakusha, Publisher of the 'Akahon' University Exam Series, Announce Joint Development
Mingaku Inc. and Kyogakusha have jointly developed an AI specialized for university entrance exam essays, releasing it as the 'Akahon AI Series' on April 6, 2026. When students photograph their answer sheets, the AI provides immediate evaluation and feedback, supporting self-directed learning.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 12:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 18:15 (293h 44m after Collected)
Mingaku Inc. (HQ: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuta Sato) and Sekaishisosha-Kyogakusha Co., Ltd. (HQ: Kyoto; CEO: Toshiaki Uehara) have jointly developed an AI specialized for entrance exam essays. We are pleased to announce that the 'Akahon AI Series,' a workbook equipped with this AI, was released in bookstores nationwide and online starting April 6, 2026.
## ■ Solving Entrance Exam Essay Challenges with AI
Because essays lack a single correct answer, it has been difficult for students to evaluate their own work. This has led to a learning bias towards input-focused activities like 'understanding how to write.' While repeated output and feedback are essential for skill improvement, opportunities for such practice have been insufficient.
Furthermore, in schools, guiding students on essay writing requires a high level of expertise and a significant amount of time, posing a challenge for providing adequate feedback and grading.
## ■ Developing an Essay-Specific AI Based on 'School AI'
The AI installed in this series was developed based on 'School AI,' an educational generative AI platform provided by Mingaku Inc.
An evaluation logic, designed based on Kyogakusha's long-accumulated university entrance exam analysis expertise and the teaching know-how of essay instruction specialists, was replicated by Mingaku's engineering. It has been implemented as an AI advice function optimized for entrance exam essays.
## ■ Enabling Self-Study with Instant AI Feedback
With the 'Akahon AI Series,' students can photograph their handwritten answers with a smartphone or tablet to instantly receive:
- Evaluation from four different perspectives
- A 10-level overall score
- Specific feedback on strengths and areas for improvement
This makes self-study for essays, which was previously difficult, possible. Students can now engage in high-quality output-based learning repeatedly, regardless of time or place.
## ■ Reducing the Burden on Educators and Expanding Learning Opportunities
The use of this AI is expected to reduce the burden of grading on teachers and contribute to creating an environment where each student can proactively deepen their learning.
Feedback from students and teachers who participated in pilot tests includes:
- 'My answer's evaluation and points for improvement became clear.'
- 'I can now prepare for essays at home.'
## ■ Solving Entrance Exam Essay Challenges with AI
Because essays lack a single correct answer, it has been difficult for students to evaluate their own work. This has led to a learning bias towards input-focused activities like 'understanding how to write.' While repeated output and feedback are essential for skill improvement, opportunities for such practice have been insufficient.
Furthermore, in schools, guiding students on essay writing requires a high level of expertise and a significant amount of time, posing a challenge for providing adequate feedback and grading.
## ■ Developing an Essay-Specific AI Based on 'School AI'
The AI installed in this series was developed based on 'School AI,' an educational generative AI platform provided by Mingaku Inc.
An evaluation logic, designed based on Kyogakusha's long-accumulated university entrance exam analysis expertise and the teaching know-how of essay instruction specialists, was replicated by Mingaku's engineering. It has been implemented as an AI advice function optimized for entrance exam essays.
## ■ Enabling Self-Study with Instant AI Feedback
With the 'Akahon AI Series,' students can photograph their handwritten answers with a smartphone or tablet to instantly receive:
- Evaluation from four different perspectives
- A 10-level overall score
- Specific feedback on strengths and areas for improvement
This makes self-study for essays, which was previously difficult, possible. Students can now engage in high-quality output-based learning repeatedly, regardless of time or place.
## ■ Reducing the Burden on Educators and Expanding Learning Opportunities
The use of this AI is expected to reduce the burden of grading on teachers and contribute to creating an environment where each student can proactively deepen their learning.
Feedback from students and teachers who participated in pilot tests includes:
- 'My answer's evaluation and points for improvement became clear.'
- 'I can now prepare for essays at home.'