Supporting SME Growth, Regional Economies
In order to support Japan’s economic recovery from a financial perspective, MUFG provides various services to SMEs to help them resolve their business issues. We also have a number of initiatives to revitalize local communities.
Supporting the Growth of SME Customers Nationwide
Using its nationwide network, MUFG provides various services to SMEs in accordance with their stage of growth and development.
Corporate Business Phases
Foundation : Business Support for Potential Growth Areas
Business Support Program “Rise Up Festa”
This program aims to maximize MUFG’s knowhow at it becomes a long-term business partner of SMEs and growing companies engaged in novel and creative segments as well as those trying to extend the boundaries of existing business. In April 2015, MUFG recognized three outstanding companies and seven excellent companies in three main business areas: Internet services/information/robotics technology; health care/biotechnology; and social business. MUFG offers various forms of support to these companies.
Growth Phase : Supporting Customer Growth through Smooth Financing and New Opportunities
Business Link “Shobai Hanjo”
This is a large-scale business matching conference we have organized annually since 2005. The 12th Business Link “Shobai Hanjo” Conference, held in January 2015 in Yokohama, Japan focused on the themes of “global” and “new market creation”. Group companies such as Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri) (Thailand), Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (Vietnam), and MUFG Union Bank (United States) attended along with overseas investment promotion agencies. Around 4,200 companies attended the conference (the highest number ever) and there were over 10,000 business matching negotiations.
Electronic Bills Business “Dente”
This is a unique service offered by Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ that exploits the features of electronic bills. A supplier company transfers electronic bills received from a customer to a financial institution, and then using the credit reputation of the customer, the electronic bills can be converted into financing. Use of this service is expanding, with the balance of outstanding electronic bills reaching ¥2 trillion as of end-March 2015, and over 60,000 companies participating.
Mature Phase : Ensuring Smooth Business Succession
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Initiatives
We have around 30 business succession specialists deployed in the HQ business groups. They can give advice to clients on matters ranging from urgent stock acquisitions to longer-term succession strategies, in accordance with clients’ circumstances and their management plan. Business succession is not simply a matter of transferring the rights of an individual owner but constitutes a long-term management issue for customers. Our expertise and experience offer our clients the appropriate advice.
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Initiatives
As a trust bank, we offer core services such as inheritance, wills, living bequests, real estate brokerage, securities administration trusts, and equity disposal trusts. We also offer a wide range of succession consulting services, from corporate business succession to the transfer of individual assets. Our management financial diagnosis (“ownership”) analyzes the client’s current asset and business situation and identifies the key issues to ensure a smooth succession. It allows clients to clarify the crucial issues at their own company.
Corporate Reconstruction
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking offer consultation in a timely and appropriate manner for their customers facing challenges in borrowing conditions and other management issues. When necessary, we introduce experts from inside and outside the company to the customers.
Revitalizing Regional Economies and Communities
MUFG works with administrative organizations and local financial institutions to revitalize local economies and to nurture local industries.
Tohoku Senary Industry Support, Limited Partnership Invested in Apple Processing Company (Aomori Prefecture)
In conjunction with four Tohoku (northeast) prefectural local financial institutions, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital formed the Tohoku Senary Industry Support, Limited Partnership in 2013. The objective is to support the development of the Tohoku region and the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries. With a view to increasing agricultural workers’ income, ensuring business succession and creating employment, the association made a ¥30 million investment in Hirosaki Co., Ltd., an apple production, processing and sales company.
Finance Using the Government’s Subsidized Interest Payment Program
In fiscal 2014, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ invested in 22 projects (over ¥21.8 billion) using the government’s subsidized interest payment program for regional revitalization.
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Financing for Pharmaceutical Maker Factory (Kyoto Prefecture)
Recognized by an administrative agency as promoting regional employment, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ could make low-interest loans on projects through the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s subsidized interest payment program for projects which create employment in strategic industries. In February 2015, in conjunction with four regional banks, we extended funding of ¥2 billion to pharmaceutical maker NITTO PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD. for a new factory. The factory will have state-of-the-art production control systems and will newly employ several tens of local workers.
