Results for Business Succession and Takeover Support Centers in FY2025: Record Highs in New Consultations and M&A Completions
Key facts
- Results for Business Succession and Takeover Support Centers in FY2025: Record Highs in New Consultations and M&A Completions
- SMRJ announced the FY2025 results for Business Succession and Takeover Support Centers nationwide, reporting a record-high of over 24,000 new inquiries and 2,265 M&A completions.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 29, 2026
Direct answer
SMRJ announced the FY2025 results for Business Succession and Takeover Support Centers nationwide, reporting a record-high of over 24,000 new inquiries and 2,265 M&A completions.
- Citation
- Results for Business Succession and Takeover Support Centers in FY2025: Record Highs in New Consultations and M&A Completions (May 29, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 29, 2026
SMRJ announced the FY2025 results for Business Succession and Takeover Support Centers nationwide, reporting a record-high of over 24,000 new inquiries and 2,265 M&A completions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 29, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 30, 2026 at 23:22 (27h 22m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 30, 2026 at 23:25 (2 min after Collected)
The Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN (SMRJ) (President: Tadashi Miyakawa; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) has compiled the results for Business Succession and Takeover Support Centers across Japan for fiscal year 2025.
■ Results for FY2025
In FY2025, the number of new consultation inquiries exceeded 24,000 for the first time since the centers were established, marking a record high. The number of consultation sessions also increased, with a total of 92,509 sessions handled nationwide. In particular, inquiries regarding third-party succession (M&A) have been rising, reaching 16,322 new inquiries. Consequently, the number of M&A completions in FY2025 reached a record 2,265.
Among third-party successions, completions through the 'Successor Human Resource Bank'—which matches aspiring entrepreneurs with SMEs lacking successors—also reached a record 114. The number of new registrants (aspiring entrepreneurs) for the bank was 1,472, bringing the cumulative total to 11,547.
Driven by factors such as the aging of business owners, labor shortages, and rising costs of energy and raw materials, the number of inquiries and completions is expected to continue growing. Nationwide centers remain dedicated to addressing all succession-related concerns, including successor absence, business continuity, intra-family or employee succession methods, and M&A second opinions, to promote SME business succession and M&A.
■ Results for FY2025
In FY2025, the number of new consultation inquiries exceeded 24,000 for the first time since the centers were established, marking a record high. The number of consultation sessions also increased, with a total of 92,509 sessions handled nationwide. In particular, inquiries regarding third-party succession (M&A) have been rising, reaching 16,322 new inquiries. Consequently, the number of M&A completions in FY2025 reached a record 2,265.
Among third-party successions, completions through the 'Successor Human Resource Bank'—which matches aspiring entrepreneurs with SMEs lacking successors—also reached a record 114. The number of new registrants (aspiring entrepreneurs) for the bank was 1,472, bringing the cumulative total to 11,547.
Driven by factors such as the aging of business owners, labor shortages, and rising costs of energy and raw materials, the number of inquiries and completions is expected to continue growing. Nationwide centers remain dedicated to addressing all succession-related concerns, including successor absence, business continuity, intra-family or employee succession methods, and M&A second opinions, to promote SME business succession and M&A.
FAQ
How many new consultation cases were there in fiscal year 2025?
For the first time since its establishment, it exceeded 24,000, the highest number ever.
What was the number of completed third-party succession (M&A) cases in fiscal year 2025?
It reached 2,265 cases, the highest number ever.
How many cases were completed through the successor talent bank?
It reached 114 cases, the highest number ever.
What is the Business Succession and Transfer Support Center?
It is a public consultation office established by the government in 47 prefectures to support small and medium-sized enterprises facing succession issues.
What is the outlook for the number of consultations in the future, considering factors such as the aging of business owners?
Given the rapid changes in the business environment, the number of consultations and completed cases is expected to continue to increase in the future.