Release of "The Textbook of Business Succession for Achieving a Sustaina-Growth Company: 10 Generational Changes That Grew Companies" on April 14th

Funai Soken Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Daisuke Shinkai) and Funai Soken AGATA FAS Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Takuji Mitsuda) have released the book "The Textbook of Business Succession for Achieving a Sustaina-Growth Company: 10 Generational Changes That Grew Companies" from President Inc. on April 14, 2026. ■ Background of this Publication For the many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of the Japanese economy, the issue of business succession due to aging management and a lack of successors is a pressing challenge. However, business succession is not merely a matter of procedures like "changing the president" or "transferring company stock." It is a crucial "growth strategy" in itself, aimed at passing on the value the company has cultivated to the next generation and achieving further leaps in growth. This book, based on the practical knowledge of Funai Soken and Funai Soken AGATA FAS, which have supported numerous SME business successions and M&As, systematizes "10 generational changes (succession models)" to guide companies toward becoming sustainable and continuously growing "Sustaina-Growth Companies." It is a compass for enhancing corporate value through the opportunity of business succession and bringing happiness to local communities and employees. ■ Features of this Book 1. Depicting the "Raw Human Drama" of Business Succession Many books on business succession focus on "things to prepare for," such as tax measures, dealing with stock dispersion, corporate valuation methodologies, and M&A techniques. However, in the actual field of management consulting, concerns about such methodologies are only a small part of the picture. A much larger and more immediate issue is the real-life problems involving the thoughts and conflicts of both the "succeeding manager" and the "successor." There is no "single right answer" to business succession. That is why this book is particular about covering the "raw human drama," creating content that managers and successors facing succession can read together and learn from the many case studies. 2. Viewing Business Succession not just for "Survival" but as a theme of "Growth" The Funai Soken Group has a purpose: "More Sustaina-Growth Companies." Through over 55 years of consulting for mid-sized and small companies since its founding, we have realized that the nature of business succession is changing, with options greatly expanding from primarily family successions to include employee successions and third-party successions. Amidst this, we aimed for a book that treats business succession not merely as a theme of corporate "survival," but as a theme of "growth" for the sustainable development of the company. The 10 case studies featured in this book are primarily based on stories heard directly from managers of companies that have won the "Sustaina-Growth Company Award," hosted by Funai Soken Holdings Inc. ■ Table of Contents Part 1: Business Succession and Sustainable Growth - 10 Stories [Interview 1] Mr. Shigetaka Sugaya, President, Housing Jube Co., Ltd. [Interview 2] Mr. Hayato Morita, President, Shabondama Soap Co., Ltd. [Interview 3] Mr. Katsuyuki Morimoto, Chairman, Arria Group & Mr. Gaku Morimoto, Representative, Arria Group [Interview 4] Mr. Masahiko Wakabayashi, President, Hardlock Industry Co., Ltd. [Interview 5] Ms. Kayo Yoshida, CEO, Umenoyado Brewery Co., Ltd. [Interview 6] Mr. Junji Torigoe, President, Sagamiya Foods Co., Ltd. [Interview 7] Mr. Hisayuki Kato, President, Monogatari Corporation [Interview 8] Mr. Kenichi Ishido, Chairman, Ishido Co., Ltd. & Ms. Kiyomi Numata, President, Ishido Co., Ltd. [Interview 9] Mr. Hiroki Ito, Chairman, Nihon Itomic Co., Ltd. & Mr. Hirofumi Moriya, President, Nihon Itomic Co., Ltd. [Interview 10] Mr. Norihiro Komura, President, Classco Holdings Co., Ltd. & Mr. Jun Nakagawa, President, Frontier Home Co., Ltd. Part 2: A Pinch is a Chance. Turn Business Succession into an Opportunity for a Leap Forward! Special Dialogue: Business Succession is a Second Founding Mr. Ken Kusunoki, Specially Appointed Professor, Hitotsubashi Business School Mr. Takuji Mitsuda, President, Funai Soken AGATA FAS Inc. ■ Book Overview Authors: Funai Soken Inc., Funai Soken AGATA FAS Inc. Publisher: President Inc. Release Date: April 14, 2026 Price: 1,980 JPY (tax included) Paperback (softcover): 336 pages For details, please visit the Amazon site. https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4833425807 ■ About Funai Soken Inc. A leading management consulting firm in Japan with specialized consultants for mid-sized and small companies. It employs a unique support style that combines "Monthly Support" and "Management Study Groups" for different industries and themes. Through "Growth Execution Support," "Recruitment and Human Capital Management Support," and "DX (Digital Transformation) Support," it aims to create many socially valuable Sustaina-Growth Companies. Its practical consulting activities, which are closely involved with the field and寄り添う to managers, have been highly evaluated by managers in various industries. https://www.funaisoken.co.jp/ ■ About Funai Soken AGATA FAS Inc. Funai Soken AGATA FAS is a comprehensive FAS company established as a joint venture between the Funai Soken Group (Funai Soken Holdings: listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market), one of Japan's largest consulting firms, and the Agata Global Management Group, a professional group in finance and taxation. Its business includes M&A advisory, business succession advisory, due diligence, etc. https://ma.funaisoken.co.jp/ Funai Soken Inc. Corporate Communication Office, Public Relations, Attn: Kuninobe TEL. 0120-958-270 (9:45-17:30) Mail. press@funaisoken.co.jp https://www.funaisoken.co.jp/form/press