[SME Business Succession Survey] 40% 'Have Not Started' Succession Preparation. The Reality of 'Information Gaps' Stalling Decisions and the 'Concrete Judgment Materials' Owners Truly Seek.
MA Royal Advisory conducted a survey on business succession among SME owners. While about 70% view succession as an important business challenge, 40% have not started preparations. The survey suggests that information gaps, not just the lack of successors, are hindering decision-making.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 9, 2026 at 11:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 9, 2026 at 11:29 (29 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 9, 2026 at 11:35 (5 min after Collected)
MA Royal Advisory Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Ryo Hashiba) conducted a survey on 'Priorities in Business Succession Methods and Factors Hindering Decision-Making for SME Owners' targeting SME management considering future business succession.
As many SMEs face the challenge of securing successors, business succession has become a crucial theme in long-term management.
While options for succession—such as within the family, to employees, or M&A to third parties—are expanding, many companies remain uncertain about the best method for their business, leading to stalled deliberations.
[Survey Period] May 1, 2026 (Fri) – May 2, 2026 (Sat)
[Survey Method] Internet survey via PRIZMA
[Survey Size] 1,002 participants
■ About 70% of Owners View Succession as a Key Challenge
When asked if business succession is a high priority among management challenges, about 70% answered 'very high' or 'somewhat high.' However, even those who feel it is a priority often do not treat it as an 'immediate task.'
■ The Reality Where Preparation Stalls Even with Successors
While about 60% of companies have identified successors (including candidates), the survey revealed that among those who have 'not started any preparations,' about 40% are owners who actually have succession candidates. The assumption that 'having a candidate means being prepared' does not hold, suggesting that a lack of concrete information is stalling the process.
■ Choices for Succession Methods
'Family succession' is the top choice at 36.7%, but there is growing demand for options beyond traditional family succession, including employee takeovers and M&A.
As many SMEs face the challenge of securing successors, business succession has become a crucial theme in long-term management.
While options for succession—such as within the family, to employees, or M&A to third parties—are expanding, many companies remain uncertain about the best method for their business, leading to stalled deliberations.
[Survey Period] May 1, 2026 (Fri) – May 2, 2026 (Sat)
[Survey Method] Internet survey via PRIZMA
[Survey Size] 1,002 participants
■ About 70% of Owners View Succession as a Key Challenge
When asked if business succession is a high priority among management challenges, about 70% answered 'very high' or 'somewhat high.' However, even those who feel it is a priority often do not treat it as an 'immediate task.'
■ The Reality Where Preparation Stalls Even with Successors
While about 60% of companies have identified successors (including candidates), the survey revealed that among those who have 'not started any preparations,' about 40% are owners who actually have succession candidates. The assumption that 'having a candidate means being prepared' does not hold, suggesting that a lack of concrete information is stalling the process.
■ Choices for Succession Methods
'Family succession' is the top choice at 36.7%, but there is growing demand for options beyond traditional family succession, including employee takeovers and M&A.
FAQ
What percentage of small and medium enterprise (SME) owners consider succession as an important management issue?
Approximately 70% of business owners recognize succession as an important management issue.
What are the main reasons for the lack of progress in succession planning?
The main reason is the lack of a successor, but a certain number of companies have successors but have not yet taken concrete steps in preparation.
According to the survey, what is the most preferred method of business succession?
Succession to family members is the most preferred method at 36.7%.
What was the target and number of respondents for this survey?
The survey targeted 1,002 SME owners who are considering succession in the future.
What was the survey period and method?
The survey was conducted online using PRIZMA from May 1 to May 2, 2026.