About MIKASA SHOBO
MIKASA SHOBO was founded in 1933 as a publisher specializing in translated works of foreign literature. Since the 1970s, guided by the philosophy of “delivering wisdom to help people live better lives”, we have continued publishing self-help books.
In recent years, we have expanded our publishing program to cover a wide range of genres, including business, health, psychology, general knowledge, history, religion and philosophy, and cooking, meeting the diverse interests and needs of our readers.
We are also actively engaged in international rights trading with overseas publishers, promoting Japanese-originated content to readers around the world.
History
- 1933-
- Founded as a publisher of translated foreign literature. Published our first title, A Study of Dostoevsky, followed by Japan’s first translated edition of Gone with the Wind.
- 1940s-
- Gone with the Wind became a bestseller in Japan, selling more than three million copies.
- 1950s-
- Published renowned works of foreign literature, including Anne of Green Gables, The Complete Works of Ernest Hemingway, and The Complete Works of A. J. Cronin.
- 1970s-
- Expanded into the self-help genre. Titles such as Your Own Era became bestsellers.
- 1980s-
- Published bestselling titles including The Cinderella Complex and Megatrends.
Launched the Chiteki Ikikata Bunko paperback series in 1984. - 1990s-
- Published the internationally acclaimed The End of History and the Last Man. Titles such as The Book That Develops Your Thinking Skills became bestsellers.
- 2000s-
- Published bestselling titles including Successful People and Unsuccessful People, Warm Your Body and All Illnesses Will Disappear, Do Only What Is Good for Your Brain!, and How to Work.
Launched the Ōsama Bunko paperback series in 2000. - 2010s-
- Published bestselling titles including Things You Should Do in Your Twenties, 90% of Worries Never Happen, Give and Take, and Practicing Not Caring.
- 2020s-
- Published bestselling titles including How to Let Things Go and The Dead Speak: Messages from the Deceased Through Forensic Medicine.
Our Publishing
We publish books across a broad range of genres, including self-help, business, health, and psychology, making valuable knowledge from our authors accessible to a wide audience. Over the years, we have produced numerous bestsellers and long-selling titles.
We remain committed to publishing books that enrich readers’ lives and delivering content that resonates across generations and national borders.
Genres
- Business
- Self-help
- Practical Living
- Essays
- History
- Religion & Philosophy
- Cooking
- Health & Wellness
- Hobbies & Other Interests
Featured Titles
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How to Work
With more than 3.1 million copies sold worldwide!
This is one of Kazuo Inamori’s most representative works. In this book, the founder of Kyocera explores the timeless question, “Why do we work?” He presents work not merely as a means of earning a living, but as a path to personal growth and a richer, more meaningful life. Widely read by everyone from business leaders to young professionals, the book has remained a long-selling bestseller for many years.
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Zen: The Art of Simple Living
Translated in more than 40 countries!
This practical guide introduces ways to incorporate Zen wisdom into modern daily life. Through simple habits such as enjoying a cup of tea, arranging your shoes, and reducing unnecessary possessions, the book offers practical ideas for cultivating inner calm and living more simply. Its accessible approach to Zen has made it an international bestseller beloved by readers around the world.
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How to Let Things Go
With more than 500,000 copies sold worldwide!
This bestselling and long-selling title introduces a Zen-inspired way of living by letting go of unnecessary worries, attachments, and possessions. Offering practical advice for navigating work, relationships, and everyday life, the book helps readers lighten their minds and live with greater ease and authenticity.
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The McKinsey Frameworks: 20 Essential Tools for Faster, Better Work
A long-selling favorite among business professionals seeking to improve both the speed and quality of their work.
Drawing on her experience as a former consultant at McKinsey & Company, the author introduces 20 practical frameworks that can be applied immediately in the workplace. Covering problem-solving, decision-making, strategic planning, and more, the book explains each framework through clear illustrations and practical examples, helping readers strengthen both their thinking and execution skills.
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I Didn’t Want to Die Like This : Unexpected Causes of Death Among Older Adults: What Only a Forensic Pathologist Knows
Supervising the forensic science aspects of the internationally popular Galileo television series, forensic pathologist Tetsuya Takagi has examined and performed autopsies on more than 5,000 bodies.
In this book, he reveals the causes of unexpected deaths that can affect older adults through 49 real-life cases. Explaining both the causes and preventive measures in clear and accessible language, he provides practical knowledge to help readers recognize hidden risks in everyday life and protect themselves and those they care about.
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For Those Who Worry Too Much: Gently Letting Go of Emotional Burdens
Learn how to let go of emotional burdens from a leading expert in interpersonal psychotherapy.
Do you find yourself unable to stop replaying someone’s words in your mind? Do you often imagine the worst? In this reassuring guide, a leading expert in interpersonal psychotherapy explains how to build a healthier relationship with an overly sensitive, overthinking mind. Through practical insights and simple techniques you can apply in everyday life, the book shows you how to ease anxiety and stress while living more calmly and authentically. By the final page, you’ll feel as though a weight has been lifted from your heart.
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Warm Your Body and All Illnesses Will Disappear
With more than 800,000 copies sold in Japan!
This enduring bestseller argues that many illnesses and physical complaints are rooted in a cold body. Focusing on the importance of raising body temperature, the book introduces practical health practices—including ginger tea, warming foods, exercise, and intermittent fasting—that can easily be incorporated into daily life. Rich with case studies and practical advice, it provides readers with useful knowledge for strengthening the immune system and maintaining better health.
Corporate Information
| Company Name | MIKASA SHOBO Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Founded | November 1933 |
| Representative | Taiyo Oshikane, President and Representative Director |
| Business Activities | Planning and publishing printed books and e-books, copyright and publishing rights management, and related publishing businesses |
| Head Office | 3-3-1 Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0072, Japan |