2026 Survey on Business Conditions of SMEs and Small-Scale Enterprises in Hokkaido

1. Purpose of the Survey: To understand the management realities of SMEs and small-scale enterprises in Hokkaido and facilitate effective support measures.

2. Survey Period: April 6 to May 14, 2026 (Previous: April 21 to May 30, 2025)

3. Survey Method: Named questionnaire survey (with interviews conducted via visits for some enterprises)

4. Target Enterprises: 1,000 companies (members of our center and users of support programs)

5. Number of Respondents: 424 companies (response rate: 42.4%)

Overview of Survey Results

(1) Business Conditions

- Business conditions are deteriorating, with the proportion of companies reporting 'worsening' conditions sharply increasing to over 40%.

(2) Management Challenges

- Sales: 'Rising manufacturing and procurement costs' (78.9%), 'Difficulty passing on cost increases to prices' (56.4%)

- Equipment: Need for equipment renewal due to 'equipment obsolescence and aging' (72.0%)

- Finance: 'Increased burden due to rising interest rates' (previous: 49.4% → current: 56.9%)

- Voices from the field regarding securing petroleum-related products and soaring raw material prices are more urgent than in previous years

(3) Labor Shortages

- 62.1% of companies reported 'insufficient employees,' struggling to secure talent

- Labor shortages are severely impacting operations, including 'reduced order and production volumes' (42.7%), 'fewer employee development opportunities' (42.3%), and 'increased employee workload' (35.6%)

- While about 40% of companies express interest in utilizing side-job or part-time workers, less than 10% are actually doing so

(4) Wage Increases

- The number of companies planning to postpone wage increases has doubled from the previous survey (approximately 20%)

(5) Productivity Improvement

- 96.2% of companies expressed willingness to improve productivity and provided specific plans

- Key initiatives include 'reviewing and improving work and manufacturing processes' (54.2%), 'introducing IT and DX tools' (38.5%), and 'utilizing AI' (30.1%)

Toward Sustaining and Developing Business Activities

Due to sharp increases in raw material and procurement prices caused by yen depreciation and unstable Middle Eastern situations, the business environment is becoming increasingly severe. Persistent labor shortages continue. To sustain regional economies and secure employment and livelihoods, further support for SMEs to maintain their operations is urgently needed.