Shinchosha Launches 'Shincho QUE', a New Subscription Service for Non-Fiction and Humanities, Featuring Masaru Sato

An interview video featuring author and former diplomat Masaru Sato and lawyer and former prosecutor Naoyoshi Nishimura is now available on Shinchosha's new media platform, 'Shincho QUE'. The first half is streaming for free on YouTube, while the second half is available on 'Shincho QUE', which launched today (May 18, 2026).

In 2002, during his time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Masaru Sato was implicated in the so-called 'Muneo Suzuki Incident' and was arrested by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Department on suspicion of breach of trust and fraudulent obstruction of business. His interrogator at the time was Naoyoshi Nishimura. Nishimura told Sato, 'This is a "national policy investigation" (kokusaku sōsa). The reason you were arrested is simple. It's to create a case connecting you and Muneo Suzuki.' The term 'national policy investigation' quickly became widely known and is still used today. While his case was ongoing in 2005, Sato published his debut book, 'Trap of the State' (Kokka no Wana), based on this experience, which became a bestseller.

To commemorate the publication of the book 'Special Investigation Interrogation Room: The Rematch of "Trap of the State" 20 Years Later', which features a discussion between these two deeply connected individuals, a video looking back on the incident has been released. Additionally, the following eight works are now available for unlimited reading on Shincho QUE.

Works Available for Unlimited Reading: - 'Trap of the State: Called the Rasputin of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (Shincho Bunko) - 'Self-Destructing Empire' (Shincho Bunko) - 'Intelligence of National Crisis' (Shincho Shinsho) - 'Class Theory for Living Today' (Shincho Bunko) - 'How to Send Students to the Battlefield: Reading Hajime Tanabe's "Devil's Kyoto University Lectures"' - '"Das Kapital" for Living Today' (Shincho Bunko) - 'Christianity Understood from Zero' - 'Rules of the Organization' (Shincho Shinsho)

About Shincho QUE Launched on May 18, 2026, it is a subscription-based digital media platform that cross-publishes Shinchosha's non-fiction and humanities content. 'If you don't know, just ask AI.' The widespread use of AI and social media has completely changed our lives. By searching for what we wonder about and asking AI, we can quickly arrive at the 'correct answer'. However, AI does not teach us what 'questions' we should input to derive that answer, or whether we should trust the presented answer.

The theme of Shincho QUE is 'the power to question'. While AI and social media have accelerated the 'speed' and 'convenience' of the world, there is 'something' that is being lost and obscured behind it. By questioning that 'something', the platform aims to deliver beneficial information and education for users' lives and careers.

In addition to original articles and 'Shukan Shincho', Shincho QUE will also integrate 'Foresight', an international information site that has long been highly popular in political, business, and bureaucratic circles. Furthermore, it will offer an unlimited reading service for Shinchosha bestsellers and electronic versions of 'Shukan Shincho' available the day before physical release, as well as educational videos by leading figures in various fields. By interacting with it daily, users will naturally acquire 'the power to question' = 'liberal arts'. Rather than seeking easy answers, it promotes deep inquiry.

What is 'The Power to Question'? 5 Things You Can Do with Shincho QUE (1) Put professional brains in your pocket: Naturally accumulate knowledge from articles by experts, from leading figures to big names in various fields. (2) Install intellectual habits: Make learning a habit with editor-selected trending e-books and easy-to-understand educational videos. (3) Get inside information fastest: Obtain the digital version of 'Shukan Shincho' earlier than anywhere else, on the day before release. (4) Strengthen intelligence: Enjoy unlimited reading of 'Foresight', a members-only site closely followed by political and business circles. (5) Archive daily thoughts: Organize your thinking with the 'My Note' function, which accumulates 'questions' as memos.

Plan Details (Tax Included) - Premium Plan: 2,400 JPY / month - Premium+ Plan: 24,000 JPY / year - International + Foresight Plan: 800 JPY / month