The magazine was founded by a group of four students, including Saburō Tanaka, at theTokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Technical High School at the time).[1] In that first month, it was published three times on days with a "1" in them. These first three issues were printed on art paper and had four pages each.Kinejun initially specialized in coveringforeign films, in part because its writers sided with the principles of thePure Film Movement and strongly criticizedJapanese cinema. It later expanded coverage to films released in Japan. While long emphasizing film criticism, it has also served as a trade journal, reporting on the film industry in Japan and announcing new films and trends.[5]
After their building was destroyed in theGreat Kantō earthquake in September 1923, theKinejun offices were moved to the city ofAshiya in theHanshin area of Japan, though the main offices are now back inTokyo.
TheKinema Junpo Best Ten awards began in 1924, theirBest Ten lists are considered iconic and prestigious.[3] Initially launched as accolades for foreign films, awards for Japanese films were established in 1926 and readers' choice awards were introduced in 1972.[6][7]
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