The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency announced that starting January 1, 2026, the names "Subcontract G-men" and "Subcontract Kakekomi-dera" will be changed to "Transaction G-men" and "Transaction Kakekomi-dera" respectively.
Legal Background for Name Change This name change is based on the "Act to Partially Amend the Subcontract Payment Delay Prevention Act and SME Promotion Act" which was passed in May 2025. The amended law revises traditional "subcontract" terminology, taking effect January 1, 2026.
Functions Continue Unchanged After the name change, the important functions of each remain unchanged:
Transaction G-men (formerly Subcontract G-men) Roles:
- Transaction investigators stationed at METI and regional bureaus nationwide
- Direct company visit investigations
- Detailed understanding of transaction conditions and problem identification
- Corrective guidance for inappropriate transactions
- Promoting transaction optimization at the field level
Transaction Kakekomi-dera (formerly Subcontract Kakekomi-dera) Roles:
- Consultation centers established in all 47 prefectures
- Transaction consultation support for SMEs
- Expert advice and guidance
- Dispute resolution support
- Information provision for transaction optimization
Policy Significance of Name Change This change represents more than mere terminology revision, embodying policy intentions including:
Modernizing Transaction Relations: Moving away from traditional "subcontract" concepts toward equal partnership-based transaction relationships
Comprehensive Transaction Support: Supporting optimization of broader inter-company transactions beyond just subcontracting
Enhanced System Recognition: Promoting SME utilization through more accessible naming
Strengthening International Competitiveness: Strengthening industrial foundations through healthy transaction environment development
This name change positions the transaction optimization support system as more accessible and user-friendly, expected to further promote supply chain-wide soundness in coordination with other policies like Price Negotiation Promotion Months.