Small and medium enterprises account for over 90 percent of the corporations (establishments) in Japan. Due to the fact that their activities cover a broad spectrum, it is necessary to have measures regarding finance, tax system, technology and internationalization which respond to individual areas of business. The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency's work is to compile measures that provide support from various aspects to business owners, who are currently already engaged in their businesses, as well as enterpreneurs, who plan to launch their businesses.

The Agency strives to enhance the support system in light of the severe management environment in the view that about half of small and medium enterprises can conduct electronic commerce using the Internet by the end of FY2003. These efforts include advancing support measures that can respond to the Information Technology (IT) revolution and establishing small and medium enterprise support centers which serve as contact points for the provision of information and consultations in 200 regions throughout Japan.

Furthermore, the Agency endeavors to provide small and medium enterprise owners with information on measures promptly in a comprehensive manner. Such information is disseminated through the media including television programs, the e-mail magazine, the Agency's websites and public relations materials on various measures.