Japan is considering creating a new certification for intermediaries of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) dealing specifically with small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This strategic decision aims to bolster support for these businesses by establishing a more robust and regulated framework surrounding M&A activities. The move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen SMEs, considering they form a vital backbone of the national economy.

In Japan, M&A activity for small and medium-sized companies is viewed as a viable solution to succession planning challenges. As the population rapidly ages, these businesses often struggle to find successors, forcing many to shut their doors. This new certification aims at facilitating a smoother transition for these businesses and preventing premature closures.

While in the EU and the US, substantial M&A activity tends to involve larger corporations, a focus on SMEs is more prevalent in Japan due to the demographic challenges the country faces. Introducing a regulated mediator role for such transactions is largely unique to Japan, indicating the country's willingness to innovate with policy solutions to its demographic issues.