Here is an article detailing the Yokohama City announcement regarding price pass-through for small and medium-sized enterprises, presented in a polite tone:
Yokohama City and Nine Prefectural and Municipalities Collaborate to Support SMEs in Achieving Sustainable Wage Increases Through Smooth Price Pass-Through
Yokohama City, in a significant initiative to bolster the financial health of its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and foster sustainable wage growth for their employees, has announced its participation in a joint public awareness campaign. This campaign, undertaken in collaboration with eight other prefectures and cities (the “Nine Prefectural and Municipalities”), aims to facilitate the smooth pass-through of rising costs, thereby enabling SMEs to implement and sustain wage increases.
The announcement, made on July 31, 2025, at 05:00, highlights a strategic, multi-regional approach to addressing the economic challenges faced by businesses. Inflationary pressures and increasing operational costs have placed considerable strain on SMEs, often making it difficult to absorb these expenses without impacting profitability. The ability to pass these increased costs onto the price of goods and services is crucial for SMEs to maintain their competitiveness and, importantly, to provide their employees with fair and rising compensation.
The core objective of this collaborative effort is to raise awareness among businesses and the public about the importance of price pass-through. By engaging in coordinated周知啓発活動 (chishu keihatsu katsudō – public awareness and enlightenment activities), the participating prefectures and cities intend to:
- Educate Businesses: Provide SMEs with practical information, guidance, and resources on how to effectively communicate the necessity of price adjustments to their clients and customers. This includes strategies for transparently explaining the reasons behind price increases, such as rising raw material costs, energy expenses, and labor costs.
- Foster Understanding: Encourage consumers and larger businesses to understand the critical role that fair pricing plays in supporting the vitality of SMEs. A greater societal understanding can lead to greater acceptance of necessary price adjustments, thereby creating a more supportive market environment for smaller enterprises.
- Promote Sustainable Wage Growth: Ultimately, the initiative seeks to empower SMEs to absorb increased operational costs and, consequently, to invest in their workforce through sustainable wage increases. This not only benefits employees but also contributes to a stronger, more resilient economy overall.
The partnership among the Nine Prefectural and Municipalities signifies a unified front in tackling this complex economic issue. By pooling resources and expertise, these regions can amplify the reach and impact of their awareness campaigns. Yokohama City’s commitment to this collaborative endeavor underscores its dedication to supporting its local business community and promoting economic stability across a wider region.
Further details regarding the specific activities and resources that will be made available through this joint campaign are expected to be released in due course. Businesses and individuals interested in learning more are encouraged to stay informed through official channels from Yokohama City and the other participating prefectures and municipalities. This proactive and cooperative approach represents a significant step towards ensuring the long-term prosperity of SMEs and the well-being of their employees.
【記者発表】中小企業の持続的な賃上げ実現に向けた価格転嫁の円滑化について九都県市連携で周知啓発活動を実施しています！
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横浜市 published ‘【記者発表】中小企業の持続的な賃上げ実現に向けた価格転嫁の円滑化について九都県市連携で周知啓発活動を実施しています！’ at 2025-07-31 05:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.