1. Ability Development and Management Support

  2. Financial Support

  3. Support of Technical Aspects

  4. Support under the Laws

The Japanese economy today is suffering from diversification of consumer needs, intensification of price competition, informatization, and internationalization, while a reverse phenomenon is seen in the ratios of start-ups and business closure and there is serious concern about stagnation in economic metabolism and vitality. In such circumstances, active support for start-ups and venture businesses is critically required in order to break through such stagnancy, vitalize the economy, and create opportunities for employment. It is also expected that SMEs, which account for a majority of domestic industries, will lead the whole Japanese economy in the direction of development with vitality through their approach to business innovation (managerial improvement through new approaches).

In light of this, to realize a smooth start-up or business activity by those who are going to start up businesses, for SMEs that are at an initial stage of business, and SMEs that have entrepreneurship and actively approach creative business activities such as development of new products or services (so-called venture businesses), the State shall support them comprehensively in funds, human resources, management know-how, information, technology, etc. according to the level of their development, and broadly support business innovation of SMEs in all categories that challenge contemporary management issues.

(1) Education for a Start-up Mindset

- Start-up Venture National Forum (by JASMEC)

In order to advance activation of start-ups and creation of many venture businesses, the State shall develop a national movement throughout the country to build environments that generate start-ups and ventures such as improvement in national understanding of start-ups and venture businesses, cultivation of entrepreneurship, and reform of various social systems concerning education, pension, employment, etc.

(2) Holding of training programs, seminars, etc.

a)Start-up support seminars by the Central Federation of Societies of Commerce and Industry ("Zenkokuren") and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry ("Nissho")

The Central Federation of Societies of Commerce and Industry and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with affiliated federations of Commerce and Industry Associations and chief Chambers of Commerce and Industry in each prefecture, hold seminars on how to establish corporations, basic knowledge of business management, market information, etc. for those who are examining or a planning start-up.

b)Short-term, concentrated training programs (start-up cram school) run by Zenkokuren and Nissho

The Central Federation of Societies of Commerce and Industry and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry carry out short-term (about 10 days, 30 hours), concentrated training programs (start-up cram school).

c)Start-up support training by JASMEC

The Institutes for Small Business Management and Technology of JASMEC, located at nine places nationwide, hold 5-day training seminars on the practical knowledge necessary for actual start-up, how to draft business plans, etc. for those who clearly intend to start up a business and have specific business plans.

(3) Management support system [Refer to "IV-2. Building of Business Support Systems"]

It is becoming critical to improve the support system for SMEs to provide them with appropriate advice for the solution of their managerial issues and the smooth acquisition of management resources by attentively responding to their diversified needs.

Therefore, the Small and Medium Enterprises Agency has improved three types of SME Support Centers: Prefectural SME Support Centers, Regional SME Support Centers, and SME / Venture Business Support Centers. These three Centers, in collaboration with present SME support institutions, serve as one-stop service counters to provide information concerning SME support strategies, etc. and implement support projects such as the over-the-counter consolation service, dispatch of experts, etc.

a)SME / Venture Business Support Centers (by JASMEC)

The SME / Venture Business Support Centers are established at eight locations of the country to extend comprehensive support to those who plan to start up business and SMEs considering public offering of stock, and provides financial and technical assistance and a high-level consulting service on management, finance, and legal matters.

b)Prefectural SME Support Centers

The Prefectural SME Support Centers are established at 54 locations in prefectures as centers of the implementation system of the SME support projects, which are conducted by prefectural governments (including Cabinet Order-specified cities) under the Small and Medium Enterprise Support Law to support the smooth obtaining of business resources such as human resources, technology, and information in response to the diversified needs of SMEs. The Centers implement projects such as an over-the-counter consultation service, provision of various information, dispatch of experts, and evolution of business feasibility.

c)Regional SME Support Centers

The Regional SME Support Centers are established at 251 locations in each broader municipal area of the country as familiar support centers for small-scale enterprises that plan to start up a business or aim at business innovation, so they can easily receive advice on their various worries, and provides over-the-counter consultation, information, etc.

(4) Holding of Various Events

a)Holding of “venture plazas” (by JASMEC)

JASMEC holds “venture plazas” at major places in the country to provide "places for meeting" with the aim of matching fund suppliers / business partners that support venture businesses with potential venture starters that have various managerial issues due to insufficient management resources such as funds, human resources, and information.

b)Holding of “ venture fairs” (by JASMEC)

JASMEC holds “venture fairs” to exhibit and introduce excellent services and prototypes on a large scale, and to support ventures' efforts for development of sales channels including encounters with business partners.