, sometimes shortened to Minkei, is a group of Japanese local news websites. Founded in 2000, it is a network of local news websites from various cities in Japan and a few cities around the world.
Content The websites features local news from various regions across Japan, mainly business news from major cities in Japan such as Sapporo, Sendai, Morioka, Akita, other regions and cities in Japan such as Shonan region in Kanagawa Prefecture, Ise-Shima region in Mie Prefecture, Ishigaki, Okinawa, and districts and wards in Tokyo such as Shibuya, Roppongi, Akihabara, Ginza, Shinbashi, Shinagawa, Ichigaya, and Shinjuku. It also features news outside Japan such Singapore and Vancouver. There is a common rule among the websites that they should publish at least one article per day, cover happy news, and highlight the local economy.
Minna no Keizai Shimbun operates as an application service provider, with different companies and organizations, web production companies or editorial production firms, managing each region. Articles on the websites are also distributed on Yahoo! News Japan.
History
Minna no Keizai Shimbun Network started following the launch of Shibuya Keizai Shimbun in April 2000 by Tateki Nishi, who runs a company in Tokyo handling advertising and web production. He said that he hoped for a news outlet that could catch the city's changes, adding that he chose the name "Shibuya Keizai Shimbun" because he wanted it to focus on the economic activity of their region and act as a "city recorder" rather than reporting on news such as accidents and politics. Shibuya Keizai Shimbun started as a collaborative project with an FM radio station in Shibuya. In 2004, a fan of the website launched Yokohama Keizai Shimbun.
Following that, various young people across Japan who resonated with the network's mission have launched their own local publication with Nishi's approval, naming them "[Place Name] Keizai Shimbun", such as Ropponigi Keizai Shimbun and Tenjin Keizai Shimbun. The network, in collaboration with Hanagata Shohin Kenkyujo Co., Ltd, launched the Minna no Keizai Shimbun News app in April 2015 for iOS and Android. By its tenth year, the network had 55 members. As of 2024, there are 138 websites in the network.
List of members
The headquarters is located at the 33th floor of Shibuya Hikarie, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
Region Name of the publication City Issuing company Founding date Hokkaido and Tohoku Akita Keizai Shimbun Akita, Akita Prefecture Easner Design Co., Ltd. April 2007 Aomori Keizai Shimbun Aomori, Aomori Prefecture Aomori IT Utilization Support Center () August 2022 Asahikawa Keizai Shimbun Asahikawa, Hokkaido Nesty Corporation Co., Ltd. October 2014 Daisen Keizai Shimbun Daisen, Akita PrefectureYamasa Kosan Co., Ltd. August 2023 Fukushima Keizai Shimbun Fukushima, Fukushima Prefecture Fungimix Co., Ltd. March 2019 Hachinohe Keizai Shimbun Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture BFM Co., Ltd. August 2012 Hirosaki Keizai Shimbun Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture Consys Co., Ltd. April 2014 Kitami Keizai Shimbun Kitami, Hokkaido Kitami Network Media LLC April 2021 Morioka Keizai Shimbun Morioka, Iwate Prefecture Radio Morioka Co., Ltd. July 2007 Otaru Keizai Shimbun Otaru, Hokkaido Otaru Consulting March 2013 Sapporo Keizai Shimbun Sapporo, Hokkaido Den Co., Ltd. April 2007 Sendai Keizai Shimbun Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture Simple Text LLC December 2006 Yokote Keizai Shimbun Yokote, Akita Prefecture Yokotter Corporation () December 2015 Kanto Ashikaga Keizai Shimbun Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture Comlab Corporation () July 2018 Chiba Keizai Shimbun Chiba, Chiba Prefecture Pakuchi Co., Ltd. April 2016 Chichibu Keizai Shimbun Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture Yokoze Company Co., Ltd. June 2021 Chōshi Keizai Shimbun Chōshi, Chiba Prefecture Citizens Conference General Incorporated Association May 2026 Funabashi Keizai Shimbun Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture my Funabashi Co., Ltd. October 2011 Honjō Keizai Shimbun Honjō, Saitama Prefecture Future Power Development Association General Incorporated Association June 2017 Ichikawa Keizai Shimbun Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture Art Curetas LLC May 2026 Kamakura Keizai Shimbun Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture Kamakura Station-Front Library Room April 2018 Kasukabe Keizai Shimbun Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture Local Walker General Incorporated Association October 2018 Kawagoe Keizai Shimbun Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture GIV Co. Ltd. October 2015 Kawaguchi Keizai Shimbun Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture Bunanomori Co. Ltd. August 2022 Kōhoku Keizai Shimbun Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Yokohama Community Design Lab () August 2010 Kujūkuri Keizai Shimbun Ichinomiya, Chiba Prefecture Ichinomiya-do LLC January 2025 Kumagaya Keizai Shimbun Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture Web-ya Co., Ltd. January 2017 Matsudo Keizai Shimbun Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture Prolayer Co., Ltd. May 2014 Mito Keizai Shimbun Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture JOYNS LLC November 2008 Narashino Keizai Shimbun Narashino, Chiba Prefecture i-Company Co., Ltd. April 2022 Odawara Hakone Keizai Shimbun Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture BLEND Media Center May 2008 Ōmiya Keizai Shimbun Saitama, Saitama Prefecture Community Com Co., Ltd. February 2012 Sayama Keizai Shimbun Sayama, Saitama Prefecture Sayama Community Development Design Project General Incorporated Association March 2025 Shōnan Keizai Shimbun Fujisawa, Kanagawa Fujimani Publishing Co., Ltd. June 2006 Sotobō Keizai Shimbun Isumi, Chiba Prefecture Starlet Co., Ltd. April 2017 Takasaki Maebashi Keizai Shimbun Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture Faith Co., Ltd. January 2007 Tsukuba Keizai Shimbun Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture RAYSIA LLC November 2018 Urawa Keizai Shimbun Saitama, Saitama Prefecture Community Com Co., Ltd. March 2015 Urayasu Keizai Shimbun Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture 01 Plan LLC September 2024 Utsunomiya Keizai Shimbun Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture Tsutsumu Create Co., Ltd. September 2024 Yokohama Keizai Shimbun Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Yokohama Community Design Lab () April 2004 Yokosuka Keizai Shimbun Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture Media 0468 LLC December 2008 Zushi Hayama Keizai Shimbun Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture Chiiki Miryoku () April 2018 23 special wards of Tokyo Akabane Keizai Shimbun Kita, Tokyo Metropolis Community Business Support Center () December 2018 Akasaka Keizai Shimbun Minato, Tokyo Metropolis Kiku Kaku Hanasu Co., Ltd. May 2008 Akiba Keizai Shimbun Shibuya, Tokyo Metropolis JLOCAL Co., Ltd. April 2006 Asakusa Keizai Shimbun Taitō, Toko Metropolis Hahaha LLC January 2014 Bunkyō Keizai Shimbun Bunkyō, Tokyo Metropolis Bono Co., Ltd. March 2015 Edogawa Keizai Shimbun Edogawa, Tokyo Metropolis Tokyo Onigiri Labo Co., Ltd. November 2023 Ginza Keizai Shimbun Chūō, Tokyo Metropolis Green Associates Co., Ltd. April 2006 Ichigaya Keizai Shimbun Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolis Morshals Co., Ltd. July 2007 Ikebukuro Keizai Shimbun Toshima, Tokyo Metropolis YAKIMAYO Co., Ltd. June 2010 Itabashi Keizai Shimbun Itabashi, Tokyo Metropolis Raise Seed Co., Ltd. August 2016 Jiyūgaoka Keizai Shimbun Shibuya, Tokyo Metropolis JLOCAL Co., Ltd. April 2007 Katsushika Keizai Shimbun Katsushika, Tokyo Metropolis Seizu Co., Ltd. July 2008 Kita-Senju Keizai Shimbun Adachi, Tokyo Metropolis SOLPINO Co., Ltd. June 2014 Kōenji Keizai Shimbun Suginami, Tokyo Metropolis Hotwire Group Ltd. July 2014 Kōtō Keizai Shimbun Kōtō, Tokyo Metropolis Larry Bird Co., Ltd. October 2014 Kyōdō Keizai Shimbun Setagaya, Tokyo Metropolis Side Root LLC August 2019 Nakano Keizai Shimbun Nakano, Tokyo Metropolis Kikyō ICT Partners Co., Ltd. October 2012 Nerima Keizai Shimbun Nerima, Tokyo Metropolis Beagle Co., Ltd. February 2012 Nihonbashi Keizai Shimbun Chūō, Tokyo Metropolis Nihonbashi Keizai Shimbun June 2010 Nikotamagawa Keizai Shimbun Setagaya, Tokyo Metropolis Delight Co., Ltd. March 2011 Roppongi Keizai Shimbun Minato, Tokyo Metropolis Kiku Kaku Hanasu Co., Ltd. April 2005 Sangenjaya Keizai Shimbun Setagaya, Tokyo Metropolis Sancha Work Company Co., Ltd. December 2013 Shibuya Keizai Shimbun Shibuya, Tokyo Metropolis JLOCAL Co., Ltd. April 2000 Shimokitazawa Keizai Shimbun Setagaya, Tokyo Metropolis Bookstore B&B August 2006 Shinagawa Keizai Shimbun Shinagawa, Tokyo Metropolis Note Co., Ltd. April 2007 Shinbashi Keizai Shimbun Chiyoda, Tokyo Metropolis Goo-Choki-Partners Co., Ltd. December 2006 Shinjuku Keizai Shimbun Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolis Crawl Co., Ltd. April 2006 Sumida Keizai Shimbun Sumida, Tokyo Metropolis Shanowa Co., Ltd. December 2011 Takadanobaba Keizai Shimbun Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolis So-Hot Co., Ltd. (CASE Shinjuku) August 2018 Tokyo Bay Keizai Shimbun Chūō, Tokyo Metropolis Green Associates Co., Ltd. March 2008 Western Tokyo (Tama region) Chōfu Keizai Shimbun Chōfu, Tokyo Metropolis Chofu City Regional Informatization Consortium () September 2008 Hachiōji Keizai Shimbun Hachiōji, Tokyo Metropolis Factorius LLC April 2008 Kichijoji Keizai Shimbun Musashino, Tokyo Metropolis Crawl Co., Ltd. March 2006 Nishitama Keizai Shimbun Ōme, Tokyo Metropolis Planet, Co., Ltd. August 2011 Sagamihara Machida Keizai Shimbun Machida, Tokyo Metropolis Machida City Tourism and Convention Association August 2007 Tachikawa Keizai Shimbun Tachikawa, Tokyo Metropolis Palette Co., Ltd. March 2007 ChūbuAtami Keizai Shimbun Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture Conscious Management Co., Ltd. October 2020 Iida Keizai Shimbun Iida, Nagano Prefecture Iida FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. April 2024 Izunokuni Keizai Shimbun Izunokuni, Shizuoka Prefecture qnote Co., Ltd. April 2026 Izu-Shimoda Keizai Shimbun Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture Izu Shimoda Keizai Shimbun Network () December 2022 Kanazawa Keizai Shimbun Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture Kanazawa Media Frontier March 2007 Kōfu Keizai Shimbun Kōfu, Yamanashi Prefecture Machizukuri Hojin Yamanashi Tank () October 2023 Matsumoto Keizai Shimbun Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture Tanakara Co., Ltd. September 2007 Meieki Keizai Shimbun Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Koogut Co., Ltd. January 2006 Toyota Keizai Shimbun Toyota, Aichi Prefecture FM Toyota Co., Ltd. April 2021
Reception The websites were praised by Taizo Shimonagi of BB Watch for covering local news in detail, adding that "it's full of news that's closely tied to the local community". Nobuko Masuda of Sankei Shimbun commented that in regional cities, the websites became "a tool that contributes to regional revitalization".
Although in its early years the reporters of the websites were subjected to suspicion due to a lack of recognition. By 2014, the websites received 10 million visits in total.
References Notes
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