About Us

Bringing the quality of

Tokyo to the world

In July of 1966, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the Tokyo Metropolitan Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center (Tokyo SME Support Center) to promote business development in Tokyo. For over 50 years, the Tokyo SME Support Center has helped companies based in Tokyo grow their businesses both domestically and internationally. In 2015, Tokyo SME Support Center opened its first branch office in Thailand and has since been promoting and supporting Tokyo companies throughout Southeast Asia.

SERVICES

Overseas Expansion Support

Planning Support

The Support Center sends planning managers with experience expanding businesses overseas to work with SMEs and use the businesses’ strengths to develop a tailored strategy for entering international markets.

Strategy Consulting

The Support Center’s “strategy navigators” assist SMEs in crafting overseas strategy plans and analyze the plan’s feasibility based on on-site research.

Business Matching Program

Sales Support

The global navigators at the Support Center help SMEs to grow their sales and promotion channels overseas through business matching with trading companies, foreign companies, and Japanese-affiliated companies in Southeast Asia and other regions.

Collaboration Support

The global navigators also help manufacturers expand their business by outsourcing production or partnering with overseas producers. In particular they help with matching up Tokyo-based companies with companies in Southeast Asia with the necessary technical skills and connections.

Negotiation Assistance

The Support Center hosts the Tokyo SME Pavilion at international exhibitions held in and outside Japan to create connections between Tokyo-based companies and other companies, and to provide a place for negotiations with potential local partners.

Cross-Border E-Commerce (CBEC) Promotion

The Support Center helps companies who have e-commerce sales channels to promote their products to the Chinese and Thai markets. The Center’s partner company has helped many companies based in Tokyo sell their products to customers outside Japan using local e-commerce sites.

International Trade Consulting

The Support Center is able to introduce trade advisors certified by the Association of International Business Advisers (AIBA) to companies that are having trouble with the following: English-language contracts, foriegn import/export laws and procedures, best business practices outside of Japan, and other common difficulties with international business.

Global Business Training

Challenge Seminar Series (Free)

Concrete processes and practical examples for overseas expansion, and helpful knowledge and know-how are presented.

Global Leadership Course

The Support Center runs a yearly ten-part course to teach employees of SMEs how to promote their business overseas. Experienced trainers teach courses on subjects like business mindset, development of human resources, and technical skills.

Practical Training

The Support Center holds two-day lecture programs each month on different practical skills related to international business for employees of Tokyo-based SMEs. Topics include English skills, import/export procedures, and other useful topics.

LOCATIONS