Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
SMEs in Japan - statistics & facts
Japan has many globally renowned brands and companies, but it is small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are the backbone of its economy. SMEs make up 99.7 percent of businesses in the country and employ 70 percent of the Japanese workforce. Despite their importance, Japan鈥檚 economic system has traditionally been centered around large corporations. They are generally more prominent among new graduates and jobseekers and have long been associated with higher compensation and job stability. However, they only make up a small part of the Japanese corporate landscape as Japan鈥檚 numerous SMEs have been facing challenges from a changing economic environment.
