Publishing Business

Since launching our eBook business in 2006, MEDIA DO has grown through nearly 20 years of contributing to the publishing industry, building deep trust and a strong position through direct partnerships with nearly all publishers in Japan. Recognizing the responsibility that comes with this position, the MEDIA DO Group is deeply committed to our role in distributing Japanese books to the global market. Aiming to become a gateway for Japanese content, MEDIA DO is determined to take on challenges and move forward with unwavering resolve. By establishing the essential infrastructure for overseas expansion, we will further contribute to the continued evolution of Japanese culture, a legacy we take pride in sharing with the world.

1. The Importance of Distributing Japanese Content to the World

Overseas sales for Japan's content industry have grown into a major export sector, surpassing steel and semiconductors, and exceeded 6 trillion yen in 2024. The Japanese government aims to expand this to 20 trillion yen by 2033, securing 55.6 billion yen in related funding through the fiscal year 2025 supplementary budget. These initiatives highlight that content has become one of Japan's most vital export industries. As the domestic population decline accelerates, it is increasingly important to promote Japanese books globally, allowing the industry to earn foreign currency and support domestic creative activities.

2. The Global Publishing Market Is Still Primarily Driven by Print Books

While eBooks account for 36% of Japan’s publishing market, approximately 90% of books distributed worldwide are print books. To distribute Japanese books to global audiences, securing a distribution infrastructure for print books is essential.

3. The Challenges of Translating Japanese Content

The proportion of Japanese content translated into English remains extremely low, at approximately 2% for manga overall and about 0.5% for recent text-based publications. Books created in Japan are shaped by the unique characteristics of the Japanese language, which enables exceptionally complex, subtle, and multi-layered expression—ranging from diverse scripts and writing styles to language that captures delicate emotions and vivid scenes. As a result, translating these works in a way that fully preserves their depth while adapting them to other languages and cultural contexts remains an exceptionally challenging task.

MEDIA DO's global publishing business is perfectly aligned with the national movement to distribute Japanese content abroad as a vital export industry. Successful overseas expansion requires more than just establishing a production system for translation and bookbinding. It demands a deep understanding of the unique business practices in global publishing markets and the securing of robust distribution networks. Realizing all of these elements is not something that can be achieved overnight, and significant hurdles remain in bringing Japanese books to the world.

The MEDIA DO Group distributes content from publishers across Japan to the global market in both digital and print formats through the synergy of three key entities: MEDIA DO, which holds the trust of Japanese publishers and deep expertise in eBook distribution, Media Do International, which has driven overseas expansion from its U.S. base, and Seven Seas Entertainment, which offers a robust translation publishing framework and an extensive print distribution network.

Seven Seas is the No. 1 independent publisher in the North American manga market and one of the world's largest translation publishers by the annual number of Japanese titles published. In March 2026, the MEDIA DO Group acquired Seven Seas in its largest M&A to date, surpassing even the 2017 acquisition of Digital Publishing Initiatives Japan.

Seven Seas, which has driven the growth of new genres in North America through its unique curation expertise in securing translation licenses for diverse Japanese content, will continue to build on its proven track record while expanding its translation and production capacity. Meanwhile, MEDIA DO will serve as a gateway for Japanese publishers, and Media Do International will focus on the expansion and diversification of overseas publishing operations. Together as a group, we will leverage our strengths as three independent companies that work with all publishers to establish a unique position in overseas expansion. For the rest of the world, every Japanese book that has never been translated before (including backlist titles) becomes a "new release."