July 1, 2026
Japan Fair Trade Commission
FY2026 Periodic Survey under the SME Transactions Act
Today, I would like to talk about the FY2026 periodic survey under the SME Transactions Act.
In transactions covered by the SME Transactions Act, even where small and medium-sized entrusted business operators are disadvantaged by violations of the Act by entrusting business operators, the nature of such transactions often makes it difficult for us to expect them to voluntarily provide information about the violations. For this reason, the JFTC, in cooperation with the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, conducts a periodic survey of entrusting business operators and the small and medium-sized entrusted business operators that do business with them.
On June 19, we launched the FY2026 periodic survey of entrusting business operators under the SME Transactions Act. This is the first periodic survey since the Act came into effect on January 1, 2026. The survey covers 75,000 entrusting business operators.
We have sent each business operator covered by the survey a letter outlining the survey. We ask those business operators to submit their responses online by July 21.
If you would like to check whether your company qualifies as an entrusting business operator under the SME Transactions Act, please use the online self-check tool available on the JFTC website (Japanese only).
The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency is also conducting a similar periodic survey.
This periodic survey is conducted to collect information on possible violations of the SME Transactions Act. Based in part on the information obtained through the survey, we will investigate suspected violations and, where violations are identified, take prompt and appropriate action.
In addition to the proactive gathering of information by the JFTC and the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, small and medium-sized entrusted business operators, including individual entrepreneurs, that have been subjected to conduct that may constitute a violation of the SME Transactions Act may file a report requesting that either authority conduct an investigation. Reports may also be filed online. The contents of reports and information about those who submit them will be kept strictly confidential. We will also take appropriate measures to ensure that information that could identify a reporting party is not disclosed to the business operator subject to the investigation. Therefore, if you encounter conduct that you believe may violate the SME Transactions Act, please visit the JFTC website and provide us with information.
（Tentative translation）
