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The Mainichi Newspapers Corporate Philosophy -- October 1991
Basic philosophy
The Mainichi Newspapers respects each individual and values interactions between people. It contributes to the protection of the earth that cultivates lives. It contributes to the creation of the times through its lively activities.

Based on this basic philosophy, we will act in accordance with the following guidelines:
  1. To provide unique and high-quality goods to readers as a journalistic, news and cultural organization.

  2. To cooperate with sales agents, affiliates and cooperating companies in strengthening the unity of the Mainichi Group and build up a firm relationship of mutual trust with advertising clients and other business partners.

  3. To help the ability of employees to flower and make their lives affluent while strengthening its business base in response to expectations by its shareholders.
Mainichi Charter -- February 1946
  • Mainichi Shimbun respects the freedom of expression and independence of the press, and strives to protect it, while providing accurate and timely reporting that aims to rouse fair public opinions.

  • Mainichi Shimbun is operated through the cooperation of all its employees and strives to carry out its mission as a public organization.

  • Mainichi Shimbun believes in social justice and respects liberty, human rights and labor rights.

  • The Mainichi Shimbun aims to promote the construction of a cultured nation based on democratic principles.

  • Mainichi Shimbun aims to contribute to world peace as international society sees it.
Company Timeline
1872 Tokyo Nichi-Nichi Shimbun (forerunner of the Mainichi Shimbun) begins publishing in Asakusa on Feb. 21.
1875 Begins world's first newspaper home delivery service.
1876 Osaka Nippo begins publishing on Feb. 20.
1888 Becomes Osaka Mainichi Shimbun.
1911 Osaka Mainichi Shimbun and Tokyo Nichi-Nichi Shimbun merge, taking the first step toward becoming a national newspaper.
1918 The National Junior High School Football Championships (what has become today's National High School Rugby Championships) begin under Mainichi sponsorship.
1922 Mainichi starts the Sunday Mainichi magazine, an English edition and Braille Mainichi.
1923 Mainichi starts publishing the Economist magazine.
1924 The first Junior High School Baseball Invitational Tournament (what has become today's National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament) is held under Mainichi sponsorship.
1929 Inazo Nitobe invited to become a Mainichi advisor.
1932 Music Competition of Japan begins under Mainichi sponsorship.
1936 Daimai Elementary School Newspaper begins publishing.
1937 Mainichi begins presenting portraits of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament-winning wrestler.
1939 Nippon, the Mainichi airplane, completes a flight around the world, flying 52,886 kilometers over 194 hours of flying time. It is the first time Japanese have completed nonstop flights crossing both of the world's great oceans.
1943 The mastheads of the Osaka Mainichi Shimbun and Tokyo Nichi-Nichi Shimbun are unified under the name Mainichi Shimbun.
1946 Mainichi Charter established.
1948 Mainichi Graph begins publishing.
1966 Mainichi's Tokyo headquarters moves from Yurakucho to its present location in the Palaceside Building at Takebashi.
1972 Mainichi Weekly begins publishing.
1976 Award-winning "As I See It" (Kisha no Me) column begins in morning editions.
1977 Mainichi Newspapers editorial policy established.
1987 Mainichi Shimbun publishes its 40,000th edition.
1991 Mainichi Newspapers Co. establishes its Corporate Philosophy, gives newspaper a facelift.
1992 Mainichi Osaka headquarters moves to its present location at Nishi Umeda.
1997 Mainichi celebrates the 125th anniversary of its foundation.
1999 Mainichi prints its 44,444th edition, ironically on the 11th day of the 11th month.
2000 Open Newspaper Committee established.
2001 Mainichi Daily News becomes an exclusively online newspaper.
2007 135th anniversary of the newspaper celebrated on Feb. 21.