Proposal for Reform of the 'Fixed Date' System: Overcoming the Last Paper Regulation Hindering SME Financing

The 'Digital Proof Research Group' has released a proposal calling for the reform of the 'fixed date' system in receivable transfers, which hinders the popularization of supply chain finance for SMEs. Currently, the system relies on analog procedures like notaries, blocking fully digital B2B transactions. The group proposes recognizing government-certified private time stamps as legal 'fixed dates' to enable real-time digital recording. This reform could potentially mobilize 10% of the 78 trillion yen in SME accounts receivable, creating an 8 trillion yen financing market and advancing financial DX.