#Japan #Tokyo #Relay #Setagaya #Business Succession

Business Succession Seminar in Setagaya

On November 17, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, a business succession seminar will be held at the Setagaya Industrial Plaza in Tokyo. Organized by Light Light Co., Ltd., the operator of Open Name Business Succession known as relay, this event targets small business owners and individual entrepreneurs, addressing the pressing issue of business succession in Japan.

Japan is currently facing what is termed as the “great resignation age,” where approximately 50,000 businesses close annually, with about 60% of them doing so due to a lack of successors. This alarming trend has been exacerbated in areas like Setagaya, where many beloved local businesses risk closure due to aging owners and the absence of potential successors.

The seminar aims to tackle this critical social issue that directly impacts local economies, especially in a super-aged society. Business closures not only diminish local employment but also threaten to erase the valuable knowledge, skills, and traditions accumulated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

During the seminar, participants will gain insights into various methods of business succession and real-world examples. Engaging discussions will include the importance of early preparation for succession and alternative strategies to ensure businesses can continue thriving into the future. This proactive approach aims to reduce the burdens faced by potential successors and transform them into confident business owners.

Seminar Overview:

• - Date: November 17, 2025 (Monday)
• - Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
• - Cost: Free of charge
• - Venue: Setagaya Industrial Plaza Conference Room (3rd Floor, 2-16-7 Taishido, Setagaya, Tokyo)

The seminar will include:

• - A presentation by the Setagaya District
• - An introduction to third-party succession and the efforts of relay
• - A talk session with business succession veterans
• - Announcements from support organizations
• - A Q&A segment
• - An individual consultation meeting

Organizations collaborating in this program include the Setagaya Ward Office, relay (Light Light Co., Ltd.), the Tokyo Business Succession and Inheritance Support Center, the Tokyo Small Business Promotion Corporation, and the Japan Policy Finance Corporation, among others.

Guest Speaker:

Kazuko Kugida, CEO of fm craic Co., Ltd.
Kazuko Kugida transitioned from working at JICA's Indian Office to become a community revitalization coordinator in Kōnan City, Shiga. After being invited to take over the traditional vegetable business “Yahē Tōgarashi” in 2021, she has been committed to preserving the founder's vision while focusing on new product development and expanding sales channels.

This seminar serves as a gateway to understanding the realities of business succession. It is crucial for local entrepreneurs and those considering starting a business through succession to attend.

About Open Name Business Succession “relay”:

Founded by Light Light Co., Ltd., relay innovates the business succession match-making process by presenting it openly and highlighting the stories behind businesses. Since its inception in 2020, it has facilitated approximately 700 successorship searches, resulting in about 140 successful matches, securing top rankings in business matching platforms in Japan for three consecutive years in terms of negotiation and contract rates.

For those interested in participating, registration for the seminar is now open. Your opportunity is just a click away!