On August 2, 2024, the JPO announced through its 2024 Annual Administrative Report that the number of patent applications filed by SMEs in FY2023 exceeded 40,000, accounting for 17.6% of all applications in Japan.

As a result of the promotion of various support measures targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as reductions and exemptions, establishment of consultation services, and simplification of procedures, it is believed that the number of SMEs utilizing intellectual property has increased and the base of patent applications has expanded.

Japan Patent Office:
https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/nenji/2024/index.html
https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/nenji/2024/document/index/0103.pdf