BATONZ Initiates Local Support for Business Succession in Nagaoka City

BATONZ's New Initiative in Nagaoka City

BATONZ, a leading M&A and business succession support platform based in Tokyo, has partnered with Nagaoka City in Niigata Prefecture to tackle a significant issue faced by small businesses in Japan: the lack of successors. This initiative is part of a broader effort to combat the alarming trend of profitable companies closing their doors due to aging management and no successors available.

Background of the Initiative

Japan is currently grappling with a critical situation known as 'profitable closures,' where businesses that are financially stable shut down because they cannot find successors. With a vision to establish a society where M&A is accessible to everyone, everywhere, and easily, BATONZ has actively engaged in public projects in collaboration with local governments to address this pressing concern. This approach enables them to offer targeted succession support to regional companies that may harbor latent challenges about business continuity.

In Nagaoka City, efforts have intensified to prevent profitable closures and enhance management capabilities as businesses prepare for succession. BATONZ has been engaged in recruiting individuals who can spearhead these efforts on a local level, and recently announced the appointment of Kazuhiro Ota as part of the regional revitalization cooperation team.

Activities Planned by Kazuhiro Ota

As a newly appointed member, Ota is set to provide direct support to businesses in Nagaoka through proactive outreach. He will collaborate with various support organizations, including the Niigata Business Succession Support Center, to provide comprehensive assistance that goes beyond mere M&A transactions. His primary activities will include:

- Listening to Business Challenges: Ota will actively engage with local entrepreneurs to identify their business succession and management challenges, establishing pathways to relevant support services.

- Enhancing Corporate Value: Utilizing national initiatives like the '100 Billion Yen Declaration' and Nagaoka City’s 'Innovative Growth Declaration', Ota aims to enhance the economic potential and corporate value of businesses preparing for succession.

Comments from Kazuhiro Ota

Having previously worked at the Niigata City Office in the Education Committee and the Environmental Research Institute, Ota has extensive experience in local investigations, educational outreach, and collaboration with community initiatives. His involvement in various public sector projects has positioned him well to understand and confront local challenges. Ota expressed, "Nagaoka City is home to numerous attractive companies that support the region. Drawing from my experience in public and private sector collaborations, I will listen closely to the challenges faced by business owners regarding succession and facilitate connections to appropriate support organizations. My goal is not just to ensure the handover of businesses but to enhance their value, thus contributing to the future of Nagaoka's vital enterprises."

As BATONZ moves forward, they will work closely with both Nagaoka City and the regional cooperation team to promote business succession that resonates with the community's needs.

About BATONZ

BATONZ operates under the vision of facilitating M&A transactions that are accessible to all. They have become the leading platform in the M&A domain, known for their integration of expert support and digital transformation (DX). BATONZ ranks number one in terms of user numbers, deal volume, and completed transactions within the M&A sector, according to market research from Deloitte Tohmatsu.