“Audio Book Award 2024” award ceremony held, authors Yu Nagira, Masahiro Imamura and others on stage
Otobank Co., Ltd. Press release: November 12, 2024 “Audio Book Award 2024” award ceremony held, authors Yu Nagira, Masahiro Imamura and others on stage A special talk session titled “Thinking about ‘Working’ and ‘Reading'” by Kaho Miyake, author of “Why I Can’t Read Books When I Work” will also be held Otobank Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Yuya Kubota, hereinafter referred to as “Otobank”), which operates “audiobook.jp” with the largest number of audiobook book lineups (*1), has won the “Audiobook Grand Prize”. 2024” award ceremony was held on October 21, 2024 (Monday). At the award ceremony, authors Yu Nagira and Masahiro Imamura, as well as those involved in the winning works and winning companies from the newly established “Corporate Edition Utilization Category” took to the podium. We also held a special talk session titled “Thinking about “Working” and “Reading,” with Kaho Miyake, author of the hit new book “Why I Can’t Read Books When I’m Working” on stage. *1. Research by Japan Marketing Research Organization, November 2023. Survey of Japanese audiobook book lineups.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-5174abbac3f9a06a9cc83d88e797b09d-1200×800.png
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-f42b1a9e64211b3010f0a7abf01c157c-650×955.jpg Naruse goes to take over the world ◆Grand Prize: “Naruse is going to take over the world” Author: Mina Miyajima Publisher: Shinchosha Cast: Ki Yamane, Yuna Ogata, Eiji Miyashita, Murasaki Kawabe, Shoya Ishige, Natsuki Abe, Ryo Iwasaki, Shuichi Uchida, Takuro Suzuki, Mami Naruse, Riho Misono, Takumu Miyazono Distribution URL:
https://audiobook.jp/product/269102 From Yufumi Mizumoto, Shinchosha Co., Ltd. (Read/excerpt from author Mina Miyajima’s comments) “It’s my debut work, so everything is new to me, so it’s an irreplaceable experience, but Otobank has helped me get a lot of voice actors to participate, and they’ve created a variety of productions, including BGM. It was a very emotional and special experience for me to have the opportunity to create a piece that I could enjoy with sound. In fact, there are people who are curious about the title, but are not familiar with novels, and I’m very grateful to be able to introduce them to the audiobooks available on OtoBank, and give them the opportunity to experience the benefits of audiobooks themselves. There were many. When I write novels, I always try to respect each and every character. Thanks to all the voice actors for this voice drama, the characters in the work, including Naruse, are vivid and lively, as if everyone has their own life and should never be treated lightly. I was able to listen to it and feel as if I were actually living there. I feel that he has created a work that allows the listeners to naturally immerse themselves in the story, and to enter the Otsu where Naruse lives. ”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-6d3490ab98d5f964eda69efaffa05ca6-1200×799.png Shinchosha Co., Ltd. Yufumi Mizumoto
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-6294065840f0ffc61ab5025898581581-800×1210.jpg Business Novel: What if Tokugawa Ieyasu became Prime Minister ◇Semi-Grand Prize: “Business Novel: What if Tokugawa Ieyasu became Prime Minister” Author: Akito Manabe Publisher: Sunmark Publishing Performer: Shinzo Sanada Distribution URL:
https://audiobook.jp/product/262132 From Shingo Omoto, Sunmark Publishing Co., Ltd. (Read/partial excerpt from author Akito Manabe’s comments) “I’m really happy that so many people can enjoy this work using the audio tool.The House of Representatives elections are being held right now, and the state of this country and its politics are being tested by our people. When I wrote this work, there was a lot of social unrest due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, I feel that the current situation is even more critical than at that time. I believe that by “Sou” we are truly expressing our will to the future of this country.I believe that everyone who listens to this work will be able to express their own will.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-a840fd05ae9abcd4735966a7cee6b641-1200×800.png Sunmark Publishing Co., Ltd. Shingo Omoto [Literary Division] Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-6ba26c7c6fae17d0da61ab9cbf1f88f1-1000×1458.jpg You are like a star ◆Grand Prize: “You are like a star” Author: Yu Nagira Publisher: Kodansha Cast: Ikumi Hasegawa, Shogo Sakata, Shinichiro Miki, Rei Sakuma, Miho Miyagawa, Soma Saito, Megumi Toyoguchi, Nozomi Sasaki, Natsu Yoda, Hitomi Sekine, Natsumi Kawaida, Mitsuru Sato, Mei Harukawa, Yuna Ogata, Shiori Nakasaki , Yuki Tamai, Ryo Yaginuma, Roku Hasegawa Distribution URL:
https://audiobook.jp/product/268350 From the author Yu Nagira (Partial excerpt) “I’ve recently started using audiobooks more often.It’s a strange story, but I often feel like I’m reading less than before I became a writer. There were times when I had work-related books and materials that I had to read, which kept me away from enjoying my favorite books in my free time. . I think one of the joys and charms of audiobooks is that you can listen to them with your ears even when you’re busy, taking a walk, or doing housework when your hands are full. . There are people around me who are so busy with work and childcare that they don’t have time to read, but because of
audiobooks, they’ve been able to enjoy reading again without having to worry about it. I listen to his stories a lot, so I’m glad that he’s one of the writers. I hope that more and more people will continue to read books, either paper books or audio books, depending on the situation. ”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-4b2e300e008da9a6d6cb73452be719e9-1200×800.png Author Yu Nagira
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-4ee0c54573dd124b6d75ae96697dc8ee-810×1200.jpg ◇Semi-Grand Prize: “Murder at Kojintei” Author: Masahiro Imamura Publisher: Tokyo Sogensha Cast: Shoya Chiba, Honoka Kuroki, Eri Yukimura, Setsu Kobayashi, Yohei Hamada, Takumu Miyazono, Mitsuru Sato, Sachiko Kadota, Taiki Yamada, Volcano Ota, Toshiba Mori, Yoshinori Shimomura, Takaya Suukuni, Kosuke Shimazu, Miho Nodera, Ryoma Yoshimoto, Ayako Tanaka, Shin Haruki, Yuichi Ariga, Kohei Murata, Makoto Netsujo, Chitao, Norie Yoshimura, Daisuke Okumoto, Eiri Shirakawa, Seiyu Fujiwara Distribution URL:
https://audiobook.jp/product/267933 From the author Masahiro Imamura (Partial excerpt) “I believe that this story, “Murder at the Mansion,” is one of the most difficult mysteries in my work.There are alibis for multiple people, floor plans that can only be understood by looking at the drawings, and other information. It’s an overflowing work, and I was very surprised that so many people enjoyed seeing it on paper and listening to it with their ears. Up until now, I thought I was writing for readers who are working hard to solve mysteries, but in this day and age, there is a new way of feeling them through your ears and imagining them in your head. I’m surprised and happy to see that the number of people who are enjoying it is increasing so much. I would be more than happy if more people continue to have the opportunity to experience audiobooks and novels through audiobooks. We look forward to future developments. ”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-44d61a9aa941a0ce2ba8a0e08ed12271-1200×800.png Author Masahiro Imamura [Business book category]
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-d3eabb12c59eec7aa6c90d6a6c30621a-1037×1500.jpg JUST KEEP BUYING The law of “money” and “time” that automatically keeps increasing wealth ◆Grand Prize: “JUST KEEP BUYING The law of “money” and “time” that automatically keeps increasing wealth” Author: Nick Majuli Translator: Osamu Kojima Publisher: Diamond Inc. Performer: Fujito Nishimura Distribution URL:
https://audiobook.jp/product/268362 From Diamond Company, Yoji Terada (Partial excerpt) “This book is a book about reproducible investment strategies backed by over 100 years of highly reliable data.I wanted this book to be a durable “100-year book,” I worked with Mr. Osamu to make it as easy to understand as possible (without sacrificing the level), and as a result we ended up with 420 pages.Each time I received feedback from many readers that it was a quick read and I learned a lot, I edited it with passion. I am very grateful to Morgan Housel, the author of “The Psychology of Money,” which has sold 6 million copies worldwide, for being able to work on a book that is “a must-read” and that the audiobook users are very grateful. I sincerely hope that the number will increase even more.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-46a6e9a95ef65e73c1b92c42f196dc05-1200×800.png Diamond Company Mr. Yoji Terada
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-fe6973e86748421aed2dc5f5430b5431-1030×1500.jpg Anyway, make it a system ─ A way of thinking to keep standing above others ◇Semi-Grand Prize: “Just make it a system — a way of thinking to stay on top of others” Author: Kodai Ando Publisher: Diamond Inc. Performer: Atsushi Tsuzura Distribution URL:
https://audiobook.jp/product/267805 From Diamond Company Ken Taneoka (Partial excerpt) ““Anyway, Make It a System” is the third installment in the organizational management series by Hirodai Ando, CEO of Shikigaku Co., Ltd.The planning intention of this series is to introduce rules that are strict but must be accepted when working in an organization. This is what I’m preaching to business
people.Nowadays, there are many people who feel uneasy about things like “I don’t get harsh advice from my boss” or “I don’t get feedback,” and the author’s somewhat harsh advice resonates with these people. In fact, I’ve heard from many readers that they listen to audiobooks on their way to work, even though it hurts their ears. However, I am really happy that it was received by readers in this way.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-a98415a4675b7c77e66cb00789350076-1200×800.png Diamond Company Mr. Ken Taneoka ■Corporate version utilization category/winning companies and speaker comments
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-1b9c4c447017ddb53bbdae1f1589f3b9-1200×800.png From left: Hitachi Industrial Control Solutions Co., Ltd., Nanami Yotsuki, Mos Food Service Co., Ltd., Soichi Naito, Alfresa Co., Ltd., Natsuki Yamakawa ◆Self-development promotion award: Hitachi Industrial Control Solutions Co., Ltd. Audiobooks have been introduced as part of our company-wide initiative to support self-directed learning, and many employees are actively using them for self-improvement. The number of users has increased significantly in the second year of its introduction, and the system is working to become a model for making self-directed learning a habit.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-428f84a3287bf7376ffdaf707433f527-1200×800.jpg Hitachi Industrial Control Solutions Co., Ltd. Human Resources and Education Department Nanami Yotsuki From Nanami Yotsuki, Human Resources and Education Department, Hitachi Industrial Control Solutions Co., Ltd. (Partial excerpt) “Starting in 2022, our company has been implementing an initiative called “Project Jibun 2.0” to support the self-realization of each employee.In this initiative, we will provide approximately 10 educational programs such as IT skills and language skills to employees free of charge. In order to encourage further learning, we have decided to introduce audiobooks as a new menu item in 2023 based on feedback from our employees. After introducing the system, we have received happy comments such as being able to listen to audiobooks while working, and saying that they were too busy with work and family to read, but with audiobooks they were able to do so. Currently, it is a popular menu used by approximately 400 employees. Using this award as an opportunity, we would like to further convey the appeal of audiobooks to our employees, and encourage everyone to say that listening to audiobooks while reading is fun and interesting. ” ◆Organizational Culture Transformation Award: MOS Food Service Co., Ltd. For sales employees who travel a lot, finding ample time to study is a challenge. Therefore, the company responded to the diversity of work styles by providing sales employees with audiobooks that they could listen to while on the move. We are working to create an environment where more employees can learn.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-ce9dc3cee7fabc2dc7b8647d5d0a1d2c-1200×799.jpg MOS Food Service Co., Ltd. Chain Education and Sales Planning Department MOS Academy Group Soichi Naito From Soichi Naito, Moss Academy Group, Chain Education and Sales Planning Department, Moss Food Service Co., Ltd. (Partial excerpt) “Sales supervisors visit Mos Burger owners across the country almost every day and act as good advisors.Since we have stores all over the country, we have a wide range of activities, and travel time is limited. It’s very long. Some of my supervisors spend 4 to 5 hours a day on the road, so I use this audiobook to get things I need for work, and sometimes history. I listen to novels and stories and think about how I can use them to work efficiently every day.I would like to continue to introduce the good parts of audiobooks to my supervisors. ” ◆Work-life learning award: Alfresa Co., Ltd. The company also provides audiobooks to employees who are on maternity or childcare leave, as well as to prospective employees. We are implementing advanced initiatives that are closely related to the work and life of our employees.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-4afcefb0a768d55b47e0c2607638e642-1200×800.jpg Alfresa Co., Ltd. Corporate Headquarters Human Resources Department Human Resources Development Group Natsuki Yamakawa From Natsuki Yamakawa, Human Resources Development Group, Human Resources Department, Corporate Headquarters, Alfresa Co., Ltd. (Partial excerpt) “I am a mother of two children and have been on maternity and childcare leave. I strongly felt that it would have been nice to have an audiobook that I could listen to while putting my children to bed or holding them in my arms. I thought it would be possible to provide audiobooks to employees on maternity or childcare leave, which had not previously been covered, and worked with my boss to create a system that would allow them to have the opportunity to learn and interact with the company even during maternity or childcare leave. We were able to create connections.Employees who had actually used the audiobook continued to use it even after returning to work, and it has been well received.In addition, for those who have received job offers, the audiobook has been used as a working adult. We are developing this with the hope that it will alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with becoming a new student, and lead to
spontaneous learning and increased motivation.” ■Kaho Miyake takes the stage in a special talk session “Thinking about ‘working’ and ‘reading'”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-dd2ac3fa3b7fa4fd6b2628a12b404593-1200×800.jpg Left: Otobank Chairman Wataru Ueda, Right: Kaho Miyake According to an announcement by the Agency for Cultural Affairs on September 17th (“Public opinion survey on Japanese language”), over 60% of people answered that they “do not read at least one book a month.” The top reason for the decrease in the amount of reading for people in their 20s to 40s was “I’m so busy with work and study that I don’t have time to read.” This time, we have published a new book that has become a big hit, selling more than 100,000 copies in one week since it was released in April of this year (total circulation has now exceeded 200,000 copies). Kaho Miyake, author of “Working” and “Reading,” took the stage and held a talk session with Otobank Chairman Wataru Ueda on the themes of “Working” and “Reading.” We talked about why working people don’t have time to read books and how audiobooks can be one of the solutions. From Kaho Miyake (Partial excerpt) “I think there are more people than you think who say, “I want to read (a book) but I can’t.” For working people, reading is an activity that can be done alone, in terms of protecting one’s time. When it comes to reading, I think some people feel like it’s a duty they have to do, but if you look at it as “time to be alone” and “time to deepen your understanding of yourself,” you’ll find it helpful for working adults. I feel that this is a necessary time.I think that as audiobooks become more popular, the number of people reading them will increase, even among working people.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-eb144fea47b4d50886dc289f2c7f1a84-1486×2426.png Why I can’t read books when I work “Why I can’t read books when I work” Author: Kaho Miyake Publisher: Shueisha Performer: Ayumu Seto Distribution URL: https://audiobook.jp/product/269902 ■“Audio Book Award 2024 Fair” is being held at bookstores all over the country
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/34798/464/34798-464-6f371560370c181d4bbffd7a2ba5393e-3900×3195.jpg Fair scene at Bunkyodo Mizonokuchi main store Audiobook.jp also actively collaborates with bookstores, as many users become more interested in books and start visiting bookstores after listening to audiobooks. In order to promote the works that won the Audio Book Awards 2024 together with local bookstores, we will be holding the “Audio Book Awards 2024 Fair” at more than 30 bookstores nationwide starting October 21st. . [Interview regarding this matter] Otobank Co., Ltd. Public Relations Office Email: pr@otobank.co.jp For other inquiries, please contact: https://www.otobank.co.jp/contact/ ■What is an audiobook An audiobook is a “listening book” in which a narrator or voice actor reads the book aloud. Since you can enjoy reading with just your ears, you can enjoy “reading while doing it” not only for people who have difficulty reading, but also for all kinds of situations in your life, such as while running, while traveling by train or car, or while doing housework. In recent years, the number of audiobook users has rapidly increased due to the rapid spread of smartphones and wireless earphones, which has rapidly improved the environment for the use of audio content, and the introduction of subscription plans that allow unlimited listening to a variety of works for a fixed fee. Currently, audiobooks are becoming the third type of book, following paper books and e-books. ■audiobook.jp (Audiobook JP) This is Japan’s largest audiobook distribution service operated by Otobank Co., Ltd. The service was renewed from “FeBe”, which started distribution in 2007, and started service in March 2018. We aim to expand the platform to popularize the audiobook category. The number of members will exceed 2.5 million in June 2022.
https://audiobook.jp/ ■Otobank Co., Ltd. (Head office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President: Yuya Kubota) Company name: Otobank Co., Ltd. Head office location: 8th floor, Ochanomizu Ebinuma Building, 3-4-6 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033
Representative Director and President: Yuya Kubota Year of
establishment: 2004 Main business: Production and distribution of audio content, platform operation, etc. Official website:
https://www.otobank.co.jp/