Kyoto SMEs Program
2025-07-14 03:01:18

New Program to Address Management Challenges for SMEs in Kyoto Set for 2025

A New Hope for Kyoto's SMEs: EMBA Program 2025



In a bid to tackle persistent management challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kyoto, the Association Supporting Peaceful Management (A.S.P.M.) will launch a comprehensive Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program in July 2025. This initiative is designed to pave the way for sustainable growth among local businesses by leveraging the expertise of advanced management accounting professionals.

The A.S.P.M., located in Nakano, Tokyo, is committed to realizing the future visions of individual business owners. By enabling them to devise robust business plans and management strategies, the organization plays an essential role in fostering Japan's entrepreneurship.

The EMBA program emphasizes a hands-on learning experience, setting itself apart with a curriculum tailored to address real issues faced by local enterprises. Participants will collaborate directly with Kyoto's business leaders to formulate effective management strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of the region’s economic landscape.

Kyoto's SMEs possess distinct qualities, intertwining traditional industries with innovative startups. The EMBA program provides a platform where participants can face actual management challenges, encouraging the development of practical solutions that move beyond theoretical frameworks.

The Need for Learning Renewed



Currently, Japanese SMEs are encountering unprecedented challenges, including:
  • - Significant shortages of successors to current management.
  • - The alarming rise of “profitable bankruptcies,” where companies go under despite being financially healthy.
  • - Rapid advancements in digital technology.
  • - The shifting expectations surrounding corporate social responsibility and SDGs.

These pressures compel many business owners to confront the limitations of traditional management approaches based solely on experience or intuition. There is an urgent need for fresh insights and knowledge in an environment characterized by swiftly changing business dynamics. Yet, finding the time to engage in self-education remains a daunting task for most executives.

Here, the role of tax consultants and certified public accountants takes center stage. Tax specialists often serve as the closest advisors to business owners, regularly engaging in discussions on current challenges and future pathways. Therefore, their continued education is crucial for enhancing the quality of support they can offer.

Emphasizing the importance of re-learning management techniques equips these professionals to unearth unrecognized challenges and formulate actionable strategies. This capacity to delve deeper into management issues transforms them into invaluable resources for SMEs.

Tangible Outcomes through Collaboration



One success story to emerge from last year's EMBA program is that of Esther Shibata, the president of E.S.T.W. Co., which operates a renowned tea business, Kyoto GyoKuro Goen Tea. Facing a decline in traditional tea sales, Shibata expresses the need for both personal and communal growth in maintaining Kyoto's tea culture. Her experience during the program has reshaped her understanding of using numeric goals to forecast and strategize the future.

The collaboration with accounting professionals greatly benefited her business planning efforts. The program guided her in shifting from abstract ideals to concrete actions rooted in data, significantly enhancing her future projections and strategy mapping. The course harnesses the collective wisdom of professionals and business leaders alike.

Esther reflects on her transformative journey: "Initially, I viewed numbers with skepticism, feeling distant from their relevance in shaping my vision. But engaging with my peers and dissecting real data illuminated the true purpose behind setting numeric goals. I was frankly shocked at the clarity it provided."

In a recent MAP Salon, a networking event, Shibata presented her future business strategy, showcasing a detailed action plan outlining specific, measurable steps for her tea business.

Continuing Education for Future Success



With many A.S.P.M. members having already partaken in the EMBA program, there lies a collective commitment to bolster various business entities across Japan through ongoing educational initiatives. In this rapidly evolving era, the importance of a continuous learning mindset cannot be overstated.

The A.S.P.M. remains dedicated to supporting Japan's corporate landscape, encouraging proactive approaches among business owners and their advisors. We aim to empower the people shaping the future of Japanese companies through programs that emphasize both innovative thinking and strategic action.

For More Information


  • - Program Name: Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)
  • - Start Date: July 12, 2025
  • - Venue: Yoshida Campus, Kyoto University
  • - URL: Program Details
  • - Organized by: JAPANESE MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION

Join us as we step forward and embrace the future of business management in Kyoto and beyond, ensuring growth and diligence through education.


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Topics Business Technology)

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