Conveying the Value and Potential of Mid-Sized Enterprises to the Next Generation. Ritsumeikan University Holds Sponsored Lecture Utilizing 'White Paper on Mid-Sized Enterprises 2026'. Lectures and Workshops Focus on Management Challenges of Mid-Sized Enterprises.

Tanabe Consulting Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President and CEO: Takahiko Wakamatsu), a pioneer in Japanese management consulting, held a sponsored lecture on Thursday, May 21, 2026, for the seminar of Professor Shinichiro Terasaki, Faculty of Business Administration, Ritsumeikan University, utilizing the "White Paper on Mid-Sized Enterprises 2026" published by our company.

1. What is the "White Paper on Mid-Sized Enterprises 2026"?

This white paper is based on the knowledge accumulated by Tanabe Consulting Group (TCG) since its founding in 1957 through supporting over 22,100 companies, and on original research conducted on mid-sized enterprises nationwide. It systematically organizes everything from the historical transitions of mid-sized enterprises to the challenges they face and their future growth strategies, from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives.

2. Overview of the Sponsored Lecture

This lecture was conducted for Professor Shinichiro Terasaki's seminar at the Faculty of Business Administration, Ritsumeikan University, using the "White Paper on Mid-Sized Enterprises 2026" as the subject matter. Kazuki Hosoe, General Manager of the Strategic Research Institute at Tanabe Consulting, served as the lecturer, delivering a talk on the management environment and challenges surrounding mid-sized enterprises based on the white paper's content. Specifically, he explained the background of the new definition of "mid-sized enterprises" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2024, which clearly positioned them as targets for policy support, and the role that mid-sized enterprises play amidst structural challenges such as population decline and shrinking domestic markets.

In addition, the lecture included group work with the students. Based on the survey data from the white paper, themes such as "Management Issues Emphasized by Top Management of Mid-Sized Enterprises" and "Sustainability Initiatives" were addressed, leading to active discussions.

Concluding the lecture, Professor Terasaki stated, "Mid-sized enterprises possess unique technologies and customer bases, supporting the diversity of Japan's industrial ecosystem. Nurturing mid-sized enterprises is directly linked to strengthening Japan's national power."

Since its founding, TCG has consistently supported the growth of companies, primarily mid-sized enterprises, as well as large and medium-sized enterprises, both domestically and internationally. Through industry-academia collaboration initiatives like this lecture, we aim to convey the value and potential of companies to the next generation and continue to contribute to their development.

<Reference Links>

* "White Paper on Mid-Sized Enterprises 2026" PDF Version: https://www.tanabeconsulting.co.jp/knowledge/chuken-wp2026.html Booklet Version: https://www.tanabeconsulting.co.jp/knowledge/chuken-leaf2026.html

* "Chuken Lab" - A web page dedicated to collecting and disseminating data specifically for mid-sized enterprises: https://review.tanabeconsulting.co.jp/chuken/

* Post-Lecture Report: https://review.tanabeconsulting.co.jp/column/pick-up-topics/20260610100000/

About Tanabe Consulting Group (TCG)

TCG is a pioneer in Japanese management consulting, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, founded in 1957. Guided by the management philosophy "Love companies, walk with companies, serve for corporate prosperity," we have established the purpose "Supporting the world-changing decisions with love." Currently, we have grown into a management consulting group with 8 group companies and over 900 professional staff. Our primary clients are the top management (executives) of large to medium-sized enterprises, with a focus on mid-sized companies both domestically and internationally, and we have a track record of supporting over 22,100 companies since our founding.

We offer a unique, end-to-end management consulting model that supports everything from the formulation of management strategies through the Top Management Approach to the implementation and execution of business operations via professional DX/AX services. This model is deployed not only regionally within Japan but also globally.