Kayac and Tranbi Form Strategic Partnership to Facilitate Business Succession and M&A Connectivity

Kayac and Tranbi: Bridging Generational Gaps in Regional Business

In a significant move to address regional business succession challenges, Kayac Inc. has announced a partnership with Tranbi, known for its M&A matching platform. This collaboration will officially take effect on June 12, 2025, and aims to enhance the connection between local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking successors and individuals wishing to relocate to these communities. The concept is centered around achieving emotional connections in business succession, termed “emoi business succession,” where the ethos of long-standing regional businesses can be preserved and passed on to a new generation.

Addressing the 2025 Dilemma

By 2025, one in five citizens in Japan will be over 75 years old, leading to widespread concerns about the impact on business succession. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has identified that nearly 99% of all companies in regions (excluding major urban areas like Tokyo and Osaka) are SMEs. Unfortunately, approximately half of these SMEs currently lack successors, placing significant stress on local economies and employment.

The report indicates that many SMEs, despite profitable operations, face closure due to an inability to find a successor. In 2024 alone, nearly 69,000 companies nationwide ceased operations, marking a dramatic increase of roughly 17% from the previous year. Alarmingly, 65.1% of these companies were categorized as asset-positive, indicating they had more assets than liabilities. Furthermore, 51.1% had been profitable just prior to their closure, signifying a pressing need for solutions in business succession.

Collaborative Efforts for a Sustainable Future

Kayac's Smout platform, active since 2018, has aimed to connect individuals wanting to engage with regional communities, facilitating various pathways including relocation, employment opportunities, and business succession. Simultaneously, Tranbi, launched in 2011, has become Japan's foremost M&A matching service, garnering over 200,000 registered members.

This collaboration will create a bridge combining the strengths of both companies. The partnership will officially unveil a special page within Smout dedicated to