{
  "id": 19066396,
  "title": "Price Adjustment for The Japan Times Alpha",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/price-adjustment-for-the-japan-times-alpha",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-09T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/press/2026/11/09/price-adjustment-alpha/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Japan Times Publishing, Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hideki Ito) has announced a price increase for its weekly English-learning service, The Japan Times Alpha. Effective with the combined issue dated January 1 and January 8, 2027, which will be published on December 25, 2026, subscribers will see a price adjustment. This increase is necessary due to rising costs related to delivering and printing the service, particularly for the dedicated digital learning content included in Alpha. The new price will be effective for the January 2027 issue published in mid-December 2026. Customers can subscribe through Fujisan Magazine Service or Asahi Shimbun newspaper distributors. The print edition of Alpha is delivered by mail or via Asahi Shimbun distributors, while individual copies are available at select bookstores. The company encourages organizations, such as schools and businesses, to inquire about bulk subscriptions. Established in July 2019, The Japan Times Publishing, Ltd. leverages over 50 years of experience in creating language-learning materials to offer advanced resources beyond basic language acquisition. Their portfolio includes English-learning books like Reading the World: An Introduction to News English, the weekly Alpha publication, and Japanese-learning materials for non-native speakers. The Genki series of elementary Japanese textbooks has achieved over 3 million sales globally and is a popular choice among Japanese learners. For inquiries or to adjust subscription details, customers can reach out to the Alpha Business Department or Alpha Marketing & Sales Division.",
  "summary": "The Japan Times Publishing, Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hideki Ito) announces that it will raise the price of its weekly English-learning service, The Japan Times Alpha (hereinafter referred to as “Alpha”), beginning with the combined issue dated Jan. 1 and Jan. 8, 2027, to be published on Dec. 25, 2026.",
  "key_points": [
    "The Japan Times Alpha price rises effective Jan 1, 2027 issue",
    "Cost rise for digital learning content due to delivery/printing",
    "Subscriptions available through Fujisan Magazine Service and Asahi Shimbun"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}