Strengthening SME Support System in Nagano Prefecture: Opening of Nagano Area Manager Office and Commemorative Seminar

The Kanto Headquarters of SME Support, Japan (Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan) has today (May 11, 2026) opened the "Nagano Area Manager Office" to further strengthen its support system for small and medium-sized enterprises and small businesses in Nagano Prefecture.

The Nagano Area Manager Office will serve as an accessible consultation and collaboration hub for local businesses and support organizations, encouraging them to address management challenges and utilize various support measures.

In conjunction with the opening of the Nagano Area Manager Office, a "Nagano Area Manager Office Opening Commemorative Seminar" will be held on Wednesday, June 10, to introduce the organization's support content and future initiatives. For the keynote speech, Ms. Nozomi Torii, Representative Director of Value Books Co., Ltd. (Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture), will be invited to speak on the theme of "Books, People, and Presidents Circulating – The Challenge to Become a 10 Billion Yen Company."

1. Overview of Nagano Area Manager Office

(1) Name Nagano Area Manager Office (Official Name: Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan, Kanto Headquarters Nagano Area Manager Office)

(2) Location Nagano Food Hall Building 2F, 685-2 Minamikencho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture 380-0836

(3) Opening Date May 11, 2026

(4) Purpose of Establishment ・Strengthening consultation services for local SMEs and small businesses ・Enhancing information provision regarding support measures and support organizations ・Promoting collaboration with local governments, financial institutions, and commercial organizations

(5) Main Functions and Roles ・Consultation on general management issues ・Guidance and support for utilizing various support measures of SME Support, Japan ・Information sharing and collaboration with regional support organizations ・Supplementing the regional deployment of headquarters and regional headquarters policies

(6) Staffing Permanent staff: 1 person Response format: Permanent / Patrol / Online combination, etc.

2. Overview of Nagano Area Manager Office Opening Commemorative Seminar

(1) Name Nagano Area Manager Office Opening Commemorative Seminar

(2) Purpose of Holding To widely introduce the organization's support content and future initiatives, and to strengthen collaboration with local SMEs and support organizations, taking the opening of the Nagano Area Manager Office as an opportunity.

(3) Date and Time Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

(4) Format In-person event

(5) Venue Hotel Kokusai 21 (576 Minaminagano Kencho, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture) 2nd floor, "Yayoi" room

(6) Target Audience Business owners in Nagano Prefecture, staff of support organizations, etc.

(7) Capacity 100 people

(8) Participation Fee Free

(9) Program (Planned) ・Opening remarks ・Guest greetings ・Keynote speech (Ms. Nozomi Torii, Representative Director, Value Books Co., Ltd.) ・Introduction of SME Support, Japan's support measures ・Introduction of Nagano Prefecture's measures ・Closing remarks

(10) Application Method [Application Form URL] https://service.smrj.go.jp/cas/customer/apply/ba3b8d4cc42a47ffb4d4c386936d6140 *Application Deadline: [Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 3:00 PM]

(11) Organizer Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan, Kanto Headquarters

For details, please check the following page. d21609-1908-9af3aae06ed6e87a6cded6866fb04b5d.pdf

Nagano Area Manager Office Opening Commemorative Seminar Press Application Method Please apply by FAX or email using the "Press Application Form" by 3:00 PM on Tuesday, June 9.

[Press Application Form] d21609-1908-8d1fdfc397b5da3a8baf72d0c704d181.pdf

(Reference) About the "10 Billion Yen Declaration" This declaration encourages SMEs to set an ambitious goal of "10 billion yen in sales" and undertake initiatives to achieve it, aiming for dramatic growth.

10 Billion Yen Company Growth Portal (Link) https://growth-100-oku.smrj.go.jp/

<Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan (SME Support, Japan)> SME Support, Japan is a policy implementation organization whose purpose is to promote innovation and regional economic revitalization for SMEs, small businesses, and startups aiming for autonomous development and continuity of their businesses, thereby contributing to the development of Japan's economy. We contribute to solving management challenges for SMEs aiming for sustainable growth in response to changes in the business environment by providing direct hands-on support, human resource development, operating mutual aid systems, offering various financial support, and providing business opportunities, while also cooperating to improve the support capabilities of related SME support organizations.