Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a nationwide gathering of representatives of SME associations held at a hotel in Tokyo.

In his opening address, the Prime Minister made the following remarks,

“I would like to offer my congratulations on this successful gathering of the representatives of the National Federation of Small Business Associations and the National Federation of Small Business Associations’ national convention. I am honored to have been invited to attend.

Ever since the change in government, I have received the strong support and conviction of everyone here. This has enabled the Small Enterprises Revitalization Act to be passed last year and the Basic Act for the Activation of Small-sized Enterprises approved by the Diet earlier this year.

My administration brought back the manufacturing subsidies that were eliminated during the reviews carried out when the Democratic Party of Japan was in power. The National Federation of Small Business Associations has served as the secretariat for this program, having made efforts to support more than 20,000 small-and-medium-sized enterprises in Japan. 

With the letter of resolution received today, my administration will continue with its unfailing efforts in support of small businesses and SMEs. 

Since my administration took power, we have given the top priority to Japan’s economic revitalization. The three arrows of Abenomics have completely banished the dark, heavy clouds which once loomed over Japan. However, the economic recovery has yet to be felt by the length and breadth of the nation.
 
We are also faced with the serious issue of a sharply declining population and the extreme aging of society. The Abe Cabinet’s most important task is to create local communities that are vibrant, bright and have vitality. This is why we are closely listening to small businesses and SMEs based in regions to ensure we thoroughly respect the individuality of regions as we carry out bold policies that are much different from the past.

For instance, the Tomioka Silk Mill in Gunma Prefecture, which I recently visited, was registered as a World Heritage Site this year. I believe this designation represents a product of the local communities’ passion and drive. The Nakamachi Cooperative Business Association in Tomioka City has energized the local community through events and is also developing new souvenir products involving the community, such as the local delicacy Okkirikomi, a noodle dish that that will be packaged with a design featuring the Tomioka Silk Mill and bracelets devised by local high school students that are crafted after the silk mill.

I feel a strong commitment here in that the local community is working together through its own efforts to organically revitalize the community. During the current Diet session, we will aim to pass legislation that powerfully supports these types of local community-based efforts to commercialize local, homegrown specialty products and to establish sales channels. This will place all of you here in the driver’s seat when it comes to implementing such initiatives.
 
I would like all of you to work with us in creating regions where youth can have dreams and ambitions for the future.

Recently, I often hear the compelling voices of small business and SME owners that simply cannot pass-on rising raw material and energy costs. As a result, I have decided on a package of support measures.

First, I have asked that the Japan Finance Corporation and Shoko Chukin Bank give consideration to requests for loosening repayment conditions placed on SMEs. Please contact us immediately if you feel that these institutions are not adequately doing so.

In addition, we will request approximately 200,000 parent company owners to accept appropriate price increases. Furthermore, we have selected around 200 major corporations where we will conduct concentrated onsite audits regarding compliance with the Act against Delay in Payment of Subcontract Proceeds, Etc. to Subcontractors.

Together with local communities, the power of women is another source of great potential.

Even in my hometown of Yamaguchi, a Lifestyle Cooperative Association was established last year in order to support urban planning from the vantage point of women. This association has also been commissioned by the prefectural government to carry out projects in support of women entrepreneurs.

The National Federation of Small Business Associations has the Ladies’ Federation as an organization for women. I would like to ask everyone here today to take the lead in helping Japan achieve a society in which all women shine.

In closing, I would like to offer my wishes for the growth and development of the National Federation of Small Business Associations and SME Associations as well as the growth and advancement of all participants here with us today. I promise that both parties of the Government will exert their best efforts collectively to ensure that all of you are able to feel that your situation has improved as soon as possible. Congratulations on a successful meeting today.”