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- Parliamentary Vice-Minister OCHI Holds “Roundtable on Promoting the Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises through the Utilization of the Strategic Investment Initiative"
Parliamentary Vice-Minister OCHI Holds “Roundtable on Promoting the Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises through the Utilization of the Strategic Investment Initiative"
March 31, 2026
Today, Mr. OCHI Toshiyuki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, held a roundtable on promoting the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the utilization of the Strategic Investment Initiative.
The Strategic Investment Initiative will contribute to promoting mutual interests between Japan and the United States, ensuring economic security, and stimulating Japan's economic growth.
To promote future SME participation in the projects under the Strategic Investment Initiative, Parliamentary Vice-Minister OCHI exchanged views with SMEs that have expressed interest in participating in the first and second batches of projects.
1. Outline of implementation
Date and time
Tuesday, March 31: 10:00-12:00
Participating companies (* Names in Japanese syllabary order)
- Asahimekki Co. Ltd., ORORU Inc., KINOSHITA Atsushi, President
- WORKS Co., Ltd., TAKASHITA Hiroshi, General Affairs Division Chief
- TAMAGAWA SEIKI CO., LTD., TAKIGAWA Tadasu, Managing Director
- TASHIRO CO., LTD., TASHIRO Koki, President
- MIWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., CHIBA Katsumi, President & CEO
- Kaneda Corporation, HATASHIMA Mio, CEO
- TLV CO., LTD., MORISHIGE Kenichi, General Manager of Marketing Division
Support organizations for participating SMEs (* Names in Japanese syllabary order)
- The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KATO Masatoshi, Executive Director and Secretary General
- National Federation of Small Business Associations, SATO Tetsuya, Managing Director
- Central Federation of Societies of Commerce and Industry, SHIOTA Makoto, Managing Director
- Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN（SMRJ）, NAKAJIMA Yasuaki, Board member
2. Outline of the discussions
In this roundtable, Parliamentary Vice-Minister OCHI heard from SMEs that have expressed interest in participating in the projects. They explained their reasons for such interest and the benefits they expect to receive. They also discussed challenges in promoting SME participation in the projects and the possibilities of support from SME support organizations.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry AKAZAWA Ryosei also participated in part of the roundtable and expressed strong expectations for market development by SMEs through the Strategic investment Initiative.
Based on the discussions at the roundtable, METI will continue to consider how to increase the number of SMEs that will actually supply products and components to the projects, thereby leading to increased sales, business expansion, and further improvements in technology and the acquisition of market share for SMEs.
Division in Charge
Trade Finance Division, Trade Policy Bureau