Survey: 70 percent of small- and medium-sized enterprises suffer decline in
sales

A survey shows that more than 70 percent of small- and medium-sized
producers/traders (with nine employees or less) are experiencing declines
in sales and profits. The situation is particularly serious in restaurants,
wholesale, and retail businesses.

Those surveyed see loss of jobs and customers as the most distressing.
About 60 percent have financial difficulties.

The survey conducted in mid-June by the National Federation of Traders
and Producers Organizations (Zenshoren) had 959 responses.

Zenshoren Secretary General Uchida Takeshi said, "The survey result
indicates how serious the operations of small- and medium-sized producers
and traders are." He pointed out that because the government is on the
banks' side, banks have now become so arrogant as to demand that loans
should be repaid in a lump sum by the sale of the house or business on
mortgage. Calling for economic recovery and jobs for producers and traders,
the Zenshoren leader expressed the organization's determination to develop
a movement to stop the Koizumi Cabinet's policy of abandoning small
producers and traders. (end)