Tokachi Mainichi Newspaper, Inc. started using by-lines on articles in October 1995 to test readers reactions. We wanted to see if by-lines would create a relationship between readers and writers. This trial had huge impact on the Japanese newspaper industry, where unsigned articles have been the norm. An effort started by our local newspaper company, spread to the national newspaper companies. In the comments from some readers we learned that they felt knowing who wrote the article made it more believable and friendlier.

Tokachi Mainichi Newspaper, Inc. began using larger fonts, which are called Kachimai Fonts, for the first time in 1979. Using the lager characters means there are only 14 to a vertical line. In 1984 and in 1992, we refined the fonts and since 2001 we have been using U font, which we created, and there are only 11 characters in a line. The use of larger type is now common in the Japanese newspaper industry.

Tokachi Mainichi Newspaper, Inc. has connections with domestic (Jiji, The Yomiuri and The Mainichi) and international (Bloomberg News) wire services so as to keep pace with national and international news. We are making an effort to look at Japan and the world from a Tokachi viewpoint, and also look at Tokachi from a global one.

Tokachi Mainichi Newspaper, Inc. has been at the forefront of digital newspaper editing. In 1996 we introduced a computerized typesetting system (CTS). In 2004 we installed a more advanced one. The new digital system enables us to edit the newspaper more rapidly and efficiently. With the new system we are able to create a database of articles and photos.

Carbon offset is an idea help prevent global warming by using forests to soak up carbon dioxide produced by economic activity. We think carbon offset is a way newspaper companies can give back to society and, therefore, we are creating a forest in Shimizu. In 1990, we added reforestation as a goal of our company. This shows we are trying to replace the forests that we have consumed in producing our newspaper. This is a new idea and many people in Japan have taken notice of this attempt because there are very few newspaper companies that are conducting this type of project.