Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are a source of Japan’s economic vitality because they provide sophisticated monozukuri (manufacturing) technologies that support the international competitiveness of Japanese industry.

Although small in scale, some SMEs are contributing to regional economies through their monozukuri, and others are cultivating new fields to meet social challenges.

The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency has selected the "300 of Japan’s Vibrant Monozukuri (Manufacturing) SMEs 2009" in order to present SMEs, which usually do not attract much attention but play an important role in monozukuri, to the public in a way that are easy for them to understand. Through this initiative, the Agency hopes to help the selected SMEs expand their business opportunities and activities, motivate other SMEs, and create and boost interest in monozukuri especially among young people.

1. The Agency has been selecting the "300 of Japan’s Monozukuri (Manufacturing) SMEs" annually since 2006, and is hereby announcing the latest version. The 2009 list consists of 150 "Monozukuri SMEs Supporting Japan’s Innovation" and 150 "Monozukuri Micro Enterprises with Unique Strengths".

2. The selected companies will receive a letter of appreciation, and their profiles will be listed in a booklet titled "300 of Japan’s Dynamic Monozukuri (Manufacturing) SMEs 2009". The Agency will also post information on these SMEs on its website. (*Both are Japanese language only)

April 24, 2009

Business Start-up and Technology Division, Business Support Department, Small and Medium Enterprise Agency