Governor Koike Attends Experts’ Meeting to Discuss Ways to Promote Tokyo’s SMEs

On June 30 (Mon), 2025, Governor Koike attended the “Experts’ Meeting on the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Tokyo.”

At the meeting, the 1st for FY2025, Governor Koike said, “Every day, the world is changing rapidly. For small and medium-sized enterprises, there are numerous challenges such as the soaring prices of energy and raw materials, (U.S.) trade tariffs, and business succession.”

However, what to think about these changes in such circumstances and finding ways to turn them   into opportunities also presents a real thrill, the governor emphasized.

Regarding measures to deal with (U.S.) trade tariffs, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has promptly established a special consultation window for SMEs to respond to their managerial and financial concerns, and the TMG has already received consultations, she pointed out.

“The key to carving out the future lies in innovation. We have established the Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB) as a permanent facility, and SusHi Tech Tokyo, held for the 3rd time in as many years, has already grown to become one of the largest events of its kind in Asia,” the governor noted.

“While Japan excels in manufacturing, during my recent visits to Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, I received requests for collaboration in the content industry, such as manga and anime, which I have come to recognize as another important pillar of businesses,” she said.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises are the source of vitality that has underpinned Japan’s economy and that of Tokyo. We also aim to exchange opinions and information and incorporate these insights into Tokyo’s policy measures,” she said with emphasis.