# 中小企業基本法 / Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Basic Act — 第二章 (Chapter 2)
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- Law: 中小企業基本法 (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Basic Act), 昭和三十八年法律第百五十四号
- English title "Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Basic Act": Ministry of Justice translation database, which lists the title
- Kind: Act — the distinction between 法律 (Act), 政令 (Cabinet Order), 省令 (Ministerial Order) and 条例 (local ordinance) decides who may issue it and what it may say.
- Provision: 第二章 (Chapter 2) — address `ch-2`
- Text in force since: 2026-01-01
- URL (the page that opens at this provision): https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/ch-2
- e-Gov law ID: 338AC0000000154 — never renamed. A permanent link, `/l/{lawId}/{address}` on this site, redirects to the page.
- Every provision below carries its address and its URL on the line under it.
- Japanese text: e-Gov 法令検索, Digital Agency (デジタル庁). English: as marked on each line below.
Only the Japanese as published by the government has legal effect; the text
below is a copy of it. Every English rendering below is a translation and
says which kind: the Ministry of Justice's translation, or this
site's machine translation, whose model and date the Sources list names.
They are never merged and never substituted for one another.
---
## 第二章 基本的施策 — Chapter II Basic Measures
heading: machine translation, not official
ch-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/ch-2
## 第一節 中小企業の経営の革新及び創業の促進 — Section 1 Promotion of Business Innovation and Start-ups of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
heading: machine translation, not official
ch-2/sec-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/ch-2/sec-1
### 第十二条（経営の革新の促進） — Promotion of Business Innovation
caption: machine translation, not official
art-12 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-12
**第一項** 国は、中小企業者の経営の革新を促進するため、新商品又は新役務を開発するための技術に関する研究開発の促進、商品の生産又は販売を著しく効率化するための設備の導入の促進、商品の開発、生産、輸送及び販売を統一的に管理する新たな経営管理方法の導入の促進その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-12/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-12/par-1
In order to promote business innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises, the State is to take the necessary measures, including the promotion of research and development of technology for developing new products or new services, the promotion of the introduction of facilities for significantly improving the efficiency of the production or sale of products, and the promotion of the introduction of new management methods that manage the development, production, transport and sale of products in a unified manner.
machine translation, not official
### 第十三条（創業の促進） — Promotion of Start-ups
caption: machine translation, not official
art-13 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-13
**第一項** 国は、中小企業の創業、特に女性や青年による中小企業の創業を促進するため、創業に関する情報の提供及び研修の充実、創業に必要な資金の円滑な供給その他の必要な施策を講ずるとともに、創業の意義及び必要性に対する国民の関心及び理解の増進に努めるものとする。
art-13/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-13/par-1
In order to promote the start-up of small and medium-sized enterprises, especially start-ups of small and medium-sized enterprises by women and young people, the State is to take the necessary measures, including the provision of information on start-ups and enhancement of training and the smooth supply of funds necessary for start-ups, and to strive to increase the interest and understanding of the public in the significance and necessity of start-ups.
machine translation, not official
### 第十四条（創造的な事業活動の促進） — Promotion of Creative Business Activities
caption: machine translation, not official
art-14 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-14
**第一項** 国は、中小企業の創造的な事業活動を促進するため、商品の生産若しくは販売又は役務の提供に係る著しい新規性を有する技術に関する研究開発の促進、創造的な事業活動に必要な人材の確保及び資金の株式又は社債その他の手段による調達を円滑にするための制度の整備その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-14/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-14/par-1
In order to promote creative business activities of small and medium-sized enterprises, the State is to take the necessary measures, including the promotion of research and development of technology having significant novelty relating to the production or sale of products or the provision of services, and the development of a system to facilitate the securing of human resources necessary for creative business activities and the procurement of funds by means such as stocks or corporate bonds.
machine translation, not official
## 第二節 中小企業の経営基盤の強化 — Section 2 Strengthening of the Management Base of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
heading: machine translation, not official
ch-2/sec-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/ch-2/sec-2
### 第十五条（経営資源の確保） — Securing Management Resources
caption: machine translation, not official
art-15 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-15
**第一項** 国は、経営方法の改善、技術の向上その他の中小企業の経営基盤の強化に必要な経営資源の確保に資するため、次に掲げる施策その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-15/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-15/par-1
In order to contribute to the securing of the management resources necessary for strengthening the management base of small and medium-sized enterprises, such as the improvement of management methods and the advancement of technology, the State is to take the following measures and other necessary measures:
machine translation, not official
**一** 中小企業の施設又は設備の導入を図るため、中小企業者の事業の用に供する施設又は設備の設置又は整備を促進すること。
art-15/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-15/par-1/item-1
to promote the installation or improvement of facilities or equipment to be used in the business of small and medium-sized enterprises, in order to promote the introduction of facilities or equipment by small and medium-sized enterprises;
machine translation, not official
**二** 中小企業の技術の向上を図るため、中小企業者が行う技術に関する研究開発を促進し、国が行う技術に関する研究開発に中小企業者を積極的に参加させ、国、独立行政法人、地方公共団体又は地方独立行政法人の試験研究機関及び大学と中小企業との連携を推進し、並びに技術者研修及び技能者養成の事業を充実すること。
art-15/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-15/par-1/item-2
in order to advance the technology of small and medium-sized enterprises, to promote research and development of technology carried out by small and medium-sized enterprises, to actively have small and medium-sized enterprises participate in research and development of technology carried out by the State, to promote cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises and the testing and research institutions of the State, incorporated administrative agencies, local governments or local incorporated administrative agencies, and universities, and to enhance engineer training and skilled worker training programs;
machine translation, not official
**三** 中小企業の事業活動に有用な知識の向上を図るため、経営管理者に対し研修の事業を充実するとともに、新たな事業の分野の開拓に寄与する情報その他の情報の提供を促進すること。
art-15/par-1/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-15/par-1/item-3
in order to improve knowledge useful for the business activities of small and medium-sized enterprises, to enhance training programs for business managers and to promote the provision of information that contributes to the development of new fields of business and other information.
machine translation, not official
**第二項** 前項に定めるもののほか、国は、中小企業者の必要に応じ、情報の提供、助言その他の方法により、中小企業者が経営資源を確保することを支援する制度の整備を行うものとする。
art-15/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-15/par-2
In addition to what is provided for in the preceding paragraph, the State is to, in accordance with the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, develop a system that supports small and medium-sized enterprises in securing management resources by means such as provision of information and advice.
machine translation, not official
### 第十六条（海外における事業展開の促進） — Promotion of Overseas Business Expansion
caption: machine translation, not official
art-16 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-16
**第一項** 国は、中小企業者がその事業基盤を国内に維持しつつ行う海外における事業の展開を促進するため、海外における事業の展開に関する情報の提供及び研修の充実、海外における事業の展開に必要な資金の円滑な供給その他の必要な施策を講ずるとともに、中小企業者が供給する魅力ある商品又は役務に対する海外における関心及び理解の増進に努めるものとする。
art-16/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-16/par-1
In order to promote the expansion of business overseas that small and medium-sized enterprises carry out while maintaining their business base in Japan, the State is to take the necessary measures, including the provision of information on overseas business expansion and enhancement of training and the smooth supply of funds necessary for overseas business expansion, and to strive to increase overseas interest and understanding in the attractive products or services supplied by small and medium-sized enterprises.
machine translation, not official
### 第十七条（情報通信技術の活用の推進） — Promotion of the Use of Information and Communications Technology
caption: machine translation, not official
art-17 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-17
**第一項** 国は、中小企業の情報通信技術の活用の推進を図るため、情報通信技術の活用に関する情報の提供の充実、情報通信技術の活用に必要な資金の円滑な供給その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-17/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-17/par-1
In order to promote the use of information and communications technology by small and medium-sized enterprises, the State is to take the necessary measures, including enhancement of the provision of information on the use of information and communications technology, the smooth supply of funds necessary for the use of information and communications technology, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
### 第十八条（交流又は連携及び共同化の推進） — Promotion of Exchange or Cooperation and Joint Undertakings
caption: machine translation, not official
art-18 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-18
**第一項** 国は、中小企業者が相互にその経営資源を補完することに資するため、中小企業者の交流又は連携の推進、中小企業者の事業の共同化のための組織の整備、中小企業者が共同して行う事業の助成その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-18/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-18/par-1
In order to contribute to small and medium-sized enterprises complementing one another's management resources, the State is to take the necessary measures, including promotion of exchange or cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises, development of organizations for joint undertakings of the business of small and medium-sized enterprises, assistance for business carried out jointly by small and medium-sized enterprises, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
### 第十九条（産業の集積の活性化） — Revitalization of Industrial Clusters
caption: machine translation, not official
art-19 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-19
**第一項** 国は、自然的経済的社会的条件からみて一体である地域において、同種の事業又はこれと関連性が高い事業を相当数の中小企業者が有機的に連携しつつ行つている産業の集積の活性化を図るために必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-19/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-19/par-1
The State is to take the measures necessary to revitalize industrial clusters in which, in a region that is a single unit in terms of natural, economic and social conditions, a considerable number of small and medium-sized enterprises carry out the same type of business, or business highly related thereto, while cooperating organically.
machine translation, not official
### 第二十条（商業の集積の活性化） — Revitalization of Commercial Clusters
caption: machine translation, not official
art-20 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-20
**第一項** 国は、相当数の中小小売商業者又は中小サービス業者が事業を行う商店街その他の商業の集積の活性化を図るため、顧客その他の地域住民の利便の増進を図るための施設の整備、共同店舗の整備その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-20/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-20/par-1
In order to revitalize shopping districts and other commercial clusters in which a considerable number of small and medium-sized retailers or small and medium-sized service providers carry on business, the State is to take the necessary measures, including development of facilities for enhancing the convenience of customers and other local residents, development of joint stores, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
### 第二十一条（労働に関する施策） — Measures Concerning Labor
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art-21 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-21
**第一項** 国は、中小企業における労働関係の適正化及び従業員の福祉の向上を図るため必要な施策を講ずるとともに、中小企業に必要な労働力の確保を図るため、職業能力の開発及び職業紹介の事業の充実その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-21/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-21/par-1
The State is to take the measures necessary to ensure proper labor relations in small and medium-sized enterprises and improve the welfare of employees, and, in order to secure the labor force necessary for small and medium-sized enterprises, is to take the necessary measures, including enhancement of vocational skills development and job placement services, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
### 第二十二条（取引の適正化） — Ensuring Appropriate Transactions
caption: machine translation, not official
art-22 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-22
**第一項** 国は、中小企業に関する取引の適正化を図るため、代金の支払遅延の防止、取引条件の明確化の促進その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-22/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-22/par-1
In order to ensure appropriate transactions concerning small and medium-sized enterprises, the State is to take the necessary measures, including prevention of delays in payment of prices, promotion of clarification of transaction terms, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
### 第二十三条（国等からの受注機会の増大） — Increasing Opportunities to Receive Orders from the State, etc.
caption: machine translation, not official
art-23 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-23
**第一項** 国は、中小企業が供給する物品、役務等に対する需要の増進に資するため、国等の物品、役務等の調達に関し、中小企業者の受注の機会の増大その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-23/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-23/par-1
In order to contribute to increasing demand for the goods, services, etc. supplied by small and medium-sized enterprises, the State is to take the necessary measures, including increasing the opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to receive orders, concerning the procurement of goods, services, etc. by the State, etc.
machine translation, not official
## 第三節 経済的社会的環境の変化への適応の円滑化 — Section 3 Facilitating Adaptation to Changes in the Economic and Social Environment
heading: machine translation, not official
ch-2/sec-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/ch-2/sec-3
### 第二十四条
art-24 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-24
**第一項** 国は、貿易構造、原材料の供給事情その他の経済的社会的環境の著しい変化による影響を受け、現に同一の地域又は同一の業種に属する相当数の中小企業者の事業活動に著しい支障が生じ、又は生ずるおそれがある場合には、中小企業の経営の安定を図り、及び事業の転換を円滑にするための施策その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-24/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-24/par-1
In the case where, due to the effects of significant changes in the economic and social environment, such as the structure of trade and the supply conditions of raw materials, significant impediments have arisen or are likely to arise in the business activities of a considerable number of small and medium-sized enterprises that actually belong to the same region or the same industry, the State is to take measures to stabilize the management of small and medium-sized enterprises and facilitate the conversion of their businesses, and other necessary measures.
machine translation, not official
**第二項** 国は、中小企業者以外の者の事業活動による中小企業者の利益の不当な侵害を防止し、中小企業の経営の安定を図るための制度の整備その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-24/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-24/par-2
The State is to take the necessary measures, including development of a system to prevent the unjust infringement of the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises through the business activities of persons other than small and medium-sized enterprises and to stabilize the management of small and medium-sized enterprises, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
**第三項** 国は、取引先企業の倒産の影響を受けて中小企業が倒産する等の事態の発生を防止するため、中小企業に関して実施する共済制度の整備その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-24/par-3 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-24/par-3
In order to prevent the occurrence of situations such as the bankruptcy of small and medium-sized enterprises due to the effects of the bankruptcy of their trading partner enterprises, the State is to take the necessary measures, including development of a mutual aid system implemented for small and medium-sized enterprises, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
**第四項** 国は、中小企業者の事業の再建、承継又は廃止の円滑化を図るため、事業の再生のための制度の整備、事業の承継のための制度の整備、小規模企業に関して実施する共済制度の整備その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-24/par-4 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-24/par-4
In order to facilitate the rehabilitation, succession or discontinuation of the businesses of small and medium-sized enterprises, the State is to take the necessary measures, including development of a system for business revival, development of a system for business succession, development of a mutual aid system implemented for small-scale enterprises, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
**第五項** 国は、第一項及び前項の施策を講ずるに当たつては、中小企業の従事者の就職を容易にすることができるように必要な考慮を払うものとする。
art-24/par-5 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-24/par-5
In taking the measures under paragraph (1) and the preceding paragraph, the State is to give the necessary consideration so as to make it easy for persons engaged in small and medium-sized enterprises to find employment.
machine translation, not official
## 第四節 資金の供給の円滑化及び自己資本の充実 — Section 4 Facilitating the Supply of Funds and Enhancement of Equity Capital
heading: machine translation, not official
ch-2/sec-4 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/ch-2/sec-4
### 第二十五条（資金の供給の円滑化） — Facilitating the Supply of Funds
caption: machine translation, not official
art-25 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-25
**第一項** 国は、中小企業に対する資金の供給の円滑化を図るため、政府関係金融機関の機能の強化、信用補完事業の充実、民間金融機関からの中小企業に対する適正な融資の指導その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-25/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-25/par-1
In order to facilitate the supply of funds to small and medium-sized enterprises, the State is to take the necessary measures, including strengthening of the functions of government-affiliated financial institutions, enhancement of credit supplementation programs, guidance of private financial institutions toward appropriate lending to small and medium-sized enterprises, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
### 第二十六条（自己資本の充実） — Enhancement of Equity Capital
caption: machine translation, not official
art-26 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-26
**第一項** 国は、中小企業の自己資本の充実を図り、その経営基盤の強化に資するため、中小企業に対する投資の円滑化のための制度の整備、租税負担の適正化その他の必要な施策を講ずるものとする。
art-26/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-26/par-1
In order to enhance the equity capital of small and medium-sized enterprises and thereby contribute to strengthening their management base, the State is to take the necessary measures, including development of a system to facilitate investment in small and medium-sized enterprises, rationalization of the tax burden, and other measures.
machine translation, not official
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## Cites
- art-15/par-2: 前項 → 中小企業基本法 第十五条第一項 (Article 15, paragraph (1)), art-15/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-15/par-1
- art-24/par-5: 第一項 → 中小企業基本法 第二十四条第一項 (Article 24, paragraph (1)), art-24/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-24/par-1
- art-24/par-5: 前項 → 中小企業基本法 第二十四条第四項 (Article 24, paragraph (4)), art-24/par-4 — https://japanlaw.org/en/sme-basic-act/art-24/par-4
---
## Sources
- e-Gov 法令検索, Digital Agency (デジタル庁) — 中小企業基本法 — the text in force from 2026-01-01 (https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/338AC0000000154/20260101_507AC0000000041), retrieved 2026-11-06
- Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — 中小企業基本法 — its English title as the Ministry of Justice's translation database lists it (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/822), retrieved 2026-10-07
- claude-sonnet-5-5 — Machine translation, batch sme-basic-act-20261106T173426-002, translated 2026-11-07
- claude-sonnet-5-5 — Machine translation, batch sme-basic-act-20261106T173426-003, translated 2026-11-07
- claude-sonnet-5-5, corrected on review by claude-opus-5-5 — Machine translation corrected on review, batch sme-basic-act-20261106T173426-003, translated 2026-11-07
- This site's parser, version 225 — 中小企業基本法 — structure, counts, cross-references and defined terms, computed 2026-11-06