- What can be read from the survey results into the current state of Japanese small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in 2024? -

 

We are pleased to announce that the Survey on the Overseas Expansion of Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Companies (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Adachi Akinori) conducted a survey on the actual situation regarding the overseas expansion of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, targeting 118 managers and executives of manufacturing companies (food, beverages, soap, synthetic detergent, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, with 100 to 300 employees) that have not expanded overseas.

 

Survey Overview

• Name of survey: Survey on the actual situation regarding overseas expansion of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies
• Survey method: Online survey planned by "Risapee®," a research data marketing service provided by IDEATECH
• Survey period: August 6, 2024 to August 9, 2024
• Valid responses: 118 managers and executives of manufacturing companies (food, beverages, soap, synthetic detergent, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, 100-300 employees) that have not expanded overseas

*The composition ratios are rounded to the first decimal place, so the total may not necessarily add up to 100.

 

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URL:https://standage.co.jp/service/marunage/

 

■ Approximately 40% of respondents feel the need to "build and expand overseas sales"

　"Q1. In light of the recent weakening of the yen and the movement to support overseas expansion, does your company feel the need to build and expand overseas sales?"(n=118)"I feel it very much" was 11.9%, and "I feel it a little" was 23.7%.The answer was:

Very sensitive: 11.9%

・Somewhat: 23.7%

Not feeling it much: 32.2%

・Not feeling it at all: 26.3%

・Don't know/can't answer: 5.9%

■ 38.21 TP3T responded that they had "taken" action to build and expand overseas sales, while 54.81 TP3T responded that they had "not taken any action."

For those who answered "very much" or "somewhat" in Q1,"Q2. In response to the recent weakening of the yen and support for overseas expansion, have you taken any action to build or expand your overseas sales?"(n=42)"Took action" was 38.21 TP3T, and "Did not take action" was 54.81 TP3T.The answer was:

 

・Took action: 38.2%

No action taken: 54.8%

・Don't know/can't answer: 7.1%

■As a concrete action, 31.21 TP3T will exhibit at overseas exhibitions

For those who answered "I took action" in Q2,"Q3. In light of the recent weakening of the yen and the trend towards supporting overseas expansion, please tell us what actions you have taken to build and expand your overseas sales (multiple answers allowed)."(n=16)"Participated in an overseas exhibition" was 31.2%, "Analyzed and formulated overseas markets that matched our company's products" was 25.0%, and "Considered and implemented cross-border e-commerce" was 25.0%The answer was:

・Exhibited at overseas exhibitions: 31.2%

・Analyzed and formulated overseas markets that matched our company's products: 25.0%

・Considered and implemented cross-border e-commerce: 25.0%

・Consulted with public organizations such as JETRO: 18.8%

・Used a manufacturing matching service: 6.2%

・Received government support: 6.2%

・Established a local subsidiary: 6.2%

・Consulted with a private export support company: 0.0%

・Other: 25.0%

Age 51: Consulted with a business partner that is expanding overseas.

-61 years old: price increase

Age 51: Consulted with business partners and other companies in the same industry that are expanding overseas.

-65 years old: Consultant contract

・Don't know/can't answer: 6.2%

■ Some people commented that they had "built their own e-commerce site" or "consulted with business partners and other companies in the same industry who are expanding overseas."

　For those who answered anything other than "I don't know/can't answer" in Q3,"Q4. In addition to what you answered in Q3, please feel free to tell us if you have taken any action to build or expand your overseas sales in response to the recent weakening of the yen and support for overseas expansion. (Open-ended answer)"(n=15)"We built our own e-commerce site" or "We consulted with business partners and other companies in the same industry who are expanding overseas."We received 11 responses, including the following:

 

<Free answers, excerpts>

• Age 53: Build your own e-commerce site.

• Age 51: I consulted with business partners and other companies in the same industry who are expanding overseas.

• Age 57: I introduced products to a Japanese company established by a Chinese person who handles cross-border e-commerce.

• Age 63: I received an inquiry from an overseas company and started doing business with them.

 

■ When it comes to the challenges of expanding overseas, "difficulty in developing sales channels" was the most common answer at 43.81 TP3T

For those who answered "I took action" in Q2,"Q5. Please tell us about the challenges and problems you encountered when taking action to expand overseas. (Multiple answers allowed)"(n=16)"It is difficult to develop sales channels" was 43.81 TP3T, "It is difficult to deal with local business practices" was 37.51 TP3T, and "I am worried about negotiating and making contracts with buyers" was 37.51 TP3T.The answer was:

・Difficult to develop sales channels: 43.8%

・Difficulty in adapting to local business practices: 37.5%

・I am worried about negotiating and signing a contract with a buyer: 37.5%

・Difficulty in adapting products to overseas markets: 25.0%

Difficult to adjust price: 18.8%

・I don't know how to arrange logistics: 18.8%

・I don't know if the ingredients or materials of my product can be exported: 12.5%

・Protection of intellectual property: 0.0%

・Other: 0.0%

・Nothing in particular: 6.2%

・Don't know/can't answer: 0.0%

■The top reasons for not taking action to build or expand overseas sales were "lack of investment funds" and "lack of trade-related resources."

For those who answered "I have not taken any action" in Q2,"Q6. Given the recent weakening of the yen and the trend toward supporting overseas expansion, why have you not taken any action to build or expand your overseas sales? (Multiple answers allowed)"(n=23)"Lack of investment funds" was cited as the reason at 43.51 TP3T, while "Lack of trade-related resources (including human resources)" was cited at 34.81 TP3T.The answer was:

・No investment funds: 43.5%

・Lack of trade-related resources (including human resources): 34.8%

・Lack of trade know-how: 30.4%

・Because we don't know whether our products will be accepted in overseas markets: 30.4%

・Because I'm not confident that it will work: 26.1%

・It is costly to adapt to local business practices and culture: 17.4%

・Sales from existing markets are sufficient: 0.0%

・Other: 0.0%

・Don't know/can't answer: 4.3%

■ Reasons include "I don't know the exchange rate trends" and "There is no route"

For those who answered anything other than "I don't know/can't answer" to Q6,"Q7. In addition to the answers you gave in Q6, please feel free to tell us the reasons why you have not taken any action to build or expand your overseas sales in light of the recent weakening of the yen and the movement to support overseas expansion. (Open-ended answer)"(n=22)"Because I don't know the exchange rate trends" or "There is no route"We received 16 responses, including the following:

 

<Free answers, excerpts>

• 33 years old: There are a lot of unstable factors overseas.

• 60 years old: Because I don't understand exchange rate trends.

• 48 years old: There were no work offers.

• Age 60: Lack of sufficient know-how and partners.

• 62 years old: Because it is a refrigerated product, the biggest hurdles are the risks in terms of logistics and how to deal with customers.

• 56 years old: There is no route.

• 63 years old: The other party pays in yen, so there is not much benefit to a weak yen.

 

■ Awareness of government support measures, including the "10,000 New Exporters Support Program," remains at 17.81 TP3T

　"Q8. Do you know that due to the persistently weak yen, national agencies such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency are supporting exports as a national policy, and have come up with support measures such as the "Program to Support 10,000 New Exporters"?"(n=118)"Yes" is 17.8%, "No" is 67.8%The answer was:

Yes: 17.8%

No.: 67.8%

・Don't know/can't answer: 14.4%

■52.21 TP3T responded that in order to stimulate overseas expansion of small and medium-sized businesses, "support from the national government, public institutions, and local governments" is necessary.

For those who answered "I have not taken any action" in Q2,"Q9. What do you think is necessary to stimulate the overseas expansion of small and medium-sized businesses? (Multiple answers allowed)"(n=23)"Support from the national government, public institutions, and local governments (subsidies, business meetings, joint exhibits at overseas exhibitions, etc.)" was 52.21 TP3T, "active export support for SMEs by trading companies" was 39.11 TP3T, and "provision and expansion of export support services by private companies (other than trading companies)" was 34.81 TP3T.The answer was

・Support from the national government, public institutions, and local governments (subsidies, business meetings, joint exhibits at overseas exhibitions, etc.): 52.2%

・Active export support for small and medium-sized enterprises by trading companies: 39.1%

・Provision and expansion of export support services by private companies (other than trading companies): 34.8%

・Exchange conditions such as a weak yen and a strong dollar: 21.7%

・Support for overseas expansion by main bank, etc.: 17.4%

・World situation and momentum: 13.0%

・Easier recruitment of trade professionals: 8.7%

・Other: 0.0%

・I don't know/can't answer: 13.0%

 

■ Requests include "approaching each country as a group of companies, rather than as individual small and medium-sized enterprises" and "simplifying cumbersome customs procedures and lowering tariffs."

For those who answered anything other than "I don't know/can't answer" to Q9,"Q10. Besides the answers given in Q9, please feel free to tell us anything you think is necessary to stimulate the overseas expansion of small and medium-sized businesses. (Open-ended answer)"(n=20)"We would like to see each country approach us as a group of companies, not as individual small and medium-sized enterprises," and "We would like to see tedious customs procedures simplified and tariffs reduced."We received 15 responses, including the following:

 

<Free answers, excerpts>

• 54 years old: Language barriers and local sales methods differ from country to country, so we have to figure out how to get there first.

• 62 years old: I would like them to approach each country as a group of companies, rather than as individual small and medium-sized enterprises.

• 48 years old: National Japan brand strategy.

• 60 years old: Funds and a partner, above all else.

• Age 55: Financing.

• 63 years old: Simplifying cumbersome customs procedures and lowering tariffs.

 

■ Summary

This time, we conducted a survey on the actual situation regarding the overseas expansion of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, targeting 118 managers and executives of manufacturing companies (food, beverages, soap, synthetic detergent, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, with 100 to 300 employees) that have not yet expanded overseas.

First, about 40% of respondents feel the need to "build and expand overseas sales" in light of the recent weak yen and support for overseas expansion, but only 38.21 TP3T have taken concrete action, and 54.81 TP3T have not taken any action. In addition, companies that have taken action are specifically working on "exhibiting at overseas exhibitions" (31.21 TP3T), but they have issues such as "difficulty in developing sales channels" (43.81 TP3T). On the other hand, companies that have not taken action to build and expand overseas sales cited "lack of investment funds" (43.51 TP3T) and "lack of trade resources" (34.81 TP3T) as reasons for this. Furthermore, 52.21 TP3T of companies that have not taken action to expand overseas answered that "support from the government, public institutions, and local governments" is necessary to stimulate overseas expansion for small and medium-sized businesses, while only 17.81 TP3T were aware of government support measures such as the "10,000 New Exporters Support Program."

This survey revealed that while awareness of expanding overseas is on the rise among small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, only a minority of companies have taken concrete action. Many of the companies that have taken action feel that further support measures are needed to expand sales channels, address local business practices, and address concerns when signing contracts. In order to ensure the successful overseas expansion of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, it would be effective not only to expand government support measures and raise awareness, but also for the government and private sector to work together to improve support and services and work to create an environment in which small and medium-sized manufacturing companies can smoothly expand overseas.

 

■We will take care of all your trade | Trade agency service "Marunage Boeki"

STANDAGE will support you with all the tasks necessary for successful overseas expansion.

We provide one-stop support for trade operations, including exporting, expanding sales channels, and developing sales channels.

Due to the recent sustained depreciation of the yen and the government's efforts to expand exports, Japan's overall export volume has been on a gradual upward trend. However, when looking at the export volume of small and medium-sized enterprises in urban and rural areas, the gap is still widening.

We provide a package service that handles all trade from market development to contracts, negotiations, settlements, and logistics, so that small and medium-sized manufacturers in Japan can expand overseas more freely and easily. As of August 2012, the number of companies using our service has reached 250.

For more information:https://standage.co.jp/digitrad

 

■Company Profile

Company name: STANDAGE Co., Ltd.

Established: March 7, 2017

Representative: Representative Director and CEO Akinori Adachi

Address: 4F Sumitomo Shibadaimon Building 2, 1-12-16 Shibadaimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0012

Business description: Development and provision of digital trade platform and provision of trade agency services for small and medium-sized enterprises

URL:https://standage.co.jp/

 

[Contact for inquiries regarding this matter] STANDAGE Co., Ltd. Public Relations Officer Tsuruta TEL: 03-6435-3371 E-mail: info@standage.co.jp