일본 사업승계의 현황 및 정책 방향성과 그 시사점

This study investigates how the issue of business succession in Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has emerged as a critical national economic concern amid the structural challenges of an aging population and demographic decline. It further analyzes the evolution of Japan’s policy responses to this issue, with the aim of drawing policy implications for Korea’s SME succession framework. Since the introduction of the business succession tax system in 2008 and the subsequent implementation of special measures in 2018, the Japanese government has substantially expanded tax incentives to ease the succession process. In parallel, it has actively promoted third-party successions via mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to address the persistent shortage of successors. These efforts have contributed to a measurable increase in both intra-family and external successions, as well as to cases of revenue growth surpassing industry averages in the years following succession. Nonetheless, a significant proportion of SMEs—over half—remain without designated successors, and practical barriers such as the financial burden of inheritance and gift taxes and the complexity of transferring management authority continue to hinder effective succession. Japan’s experience offers critical insights for Korea, highlighting the necessity of enhancing the effectiveness of fiscal support, promoting non-family succession pathways, and institutionalizing comprehensive support systems for succession-related M&A.