[SME Management Survey Report Published] Survey on Management Challenges for SMEs under the Theme 'Strategies for SMEs to Survive Turbulent Times'

Forval GDX Research Institute, operated by Forval Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Masanori Nakajima; hereinafter 'Forval'), published the 'For Social Value Blue Report 2026' on June 2, 2026, which summarizes survey results on management challenges and response strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Background and Purpose of Publication

The year 2025 was a year of increasing severity in the business environment surrounding SMEs due to high prices, rising raw material costs, worsening labor shortages, and the continuation of the yen's depreciation. Furthermore, the perspectives required for corporate management have become more diverse, including the shift to a growth-oriented economy starting with wage increases, human capital management, responses to business and human rights, and the promotion of DX, GX, and ESG management.

This report is the 2025 edition of the annual SME Management Survey conducted since 2019. It is based on data from four rounds of interviews with SME managers conducted from July 8, 2025, to February 13, 2026.

Through four chapters—'SME Strategies for Human Capital,' 'SME Strategies for a Growth-Oriented Economy Starting with Wage Increases,' 'SME Responses to Next-Generation Management,' and 'SME Strategies for Promoting GDX and ESG'—the report organizes the challenges and countermeasures for SMEs to achieve sustainable growth.

● For details on this report, please refer to the following URL:

URL: http://gdx-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/forval-bluereport2026.pdf

Table of Contents

The table of contents for 'For Social Value Blue Report 2026' is as follows:

Prologue

Chapter 1: SME Strategies for Human Capital

Chapter 2: SME Strategies for a Growth-Oriented Economy Starting with Wage Increases

Chapter 3: SME Responses to Next-Generation Management

Chapter 4: SME Strategies for Promoting GDX and ESG

Report Summary

The summary of this report is as follows:

Chapter 1: SME Strategies for Human Capital

In recent years, the concept of 'business and human rights' has spread globally, and companies are required to consider human rights throughout their supply chains. To fulfill social responsibilities and achieve sustainable growth, it is important to view human rights responses as a management issue.

Against the backdrop of labor shortages, interest in 'human capital management,' which aims to maximize employee value and link it to corporate growth, is also increasing. This chapter reports survey results on the awareness and initiatives of SMEs regarding these human capital responses.

Chapter 2: SME Strategies for a Growth-Oriented Economy Starting with Wage Increases

Amidst inflation, the government is promoting wage increase support measures for SMEs, and momentum for wage increases is growing across society. While reasons for implementing wage increases include employee retention and improved satisfaction, reasons for not implementing them include sluggish sales and profits. To sustain wage increases, growth strategies such as productivity improvement to secure funds are essential. This chapter organizes the status and effects of wage increases at SMEs and analyzes the characteristics and management initiatives of companies that have implemented wage increases.

Chapter 3: SME Responses to Next-Generation Management

In recent years, the management environment for SMEs has become increasingly severe due to high prices, labor shortages, and the impact of international economic policies. While there is concern that medium- to long-term strategic planning and investment decisions may be postponed as companies struggle to respond with limited resources, attention is focusing on 'accompanying support' from external experts. This chapter organizes the management challenges, problem-solving efforts, and effects of SMEs, and analyzes evaluations of management capabilities and recruitment issues. Furthermore, it reports on the actual utilization of various support systems, including accompanying support.

Chapter 4: SME Strategies for Promoting GDX and ESG

In recent years, interest in DX, GX, and ESG management has been increasing for strengthening corporate foundations and achieving sustainable management, and SMEs are also required to respond. While DX is expected to improve operational efficiency and productivity, this chapter organizes the status of DX, GX, and ESG initiatives at SMEs and analyzes progress and changes by comparing with last year's survey. Furthermore, it reports on the actual state of labor shortages and responses to securing human resources.

About Forval GDX Research Institute

SMEs account for over 99% of all corporations in Japan. The growth of each individual SME is what drives Japan's vitality. One of the driving forces for SME growth is GDX (Green Digital transformation), which utilizes Green and Digital to transform the company itself.

Forval GDX Research Institute is a research organization that investigates the actual state of GDX among SMEs, compiles various reports, papers, and documents, and disseminates them to the world. With the mission of 'investigating the current state and reality of GDX in SMEs and disseminating it to the world,' the institute aims to become an indispensable presence in the GDX of SMEs.

▽ For more details, please visit the following URL:

https://gdx-research.com/