In brief
The Sunday Mainichi, Japan's oldest general‑interest weekly launched in 1922, will halt publication on April 27, 2027, according to its publisher Mainichi Shimbun Publishing Inc. Chief reasons cited include a shrinking market and rising material costs, and the final issue is projected to sell around 30,000 copies—about the average circulation seen in fiscal 2025. The magazine, known for its university admissions rankings, had a special 1959 issue for Crown Prince Akihito’s marriage that sold 1.567 million copies.
Tokyo – Sunday Mainichi, Japan’s longest‑running general‑interest weekly, will cease publication on April 27, 2027, its publisher Mainichi Shimbun Publishing Inc. said on Friday.
Kyodo News reported the decision was driven by a shrinking market and rising material costs, and noted that the magazine is “Japan’s oldest general‑interest weekly,” with a final issue expected to sell around 30,000 copies.
The mainichi.jp English site confirms the final issue will go on sale on April 27, 2027; it also lists the magazine’s average circulation at about 30,000 copies for fiscal 2025.
Sunday Mainichi was launched in April 1922, giving it a print history of more than a century.
The magazine has long been known for university admissions coverage, publishing annual rankings of high schools by the number of graduates admitted to the University of Tokyo and extensive lists naming all successful applicants.
Kyodo also noted that a special issue released in April 1959 to celebrate Crown Prince Akihito’s marriage sold 1,567,000 copies, a record far above its regular circulation.
