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Outline of Monthly Business Survey of Services
Purpose of the Survey
The aim of the survey is to creat statistics that clarify the dynamics of business activities in the service industries in Japan.
History of the Survey
The Monthly Business Survey of Services was established in January 2025, based on government policy, as the new Fundamental Statistical Survey through the integration of the existing General Statistical Surveys[1].
Note:[1]The Monthly Survey on Service Industries conducted by the MIC and the Current Survey of Selected Service Industries conducted by the METI.
Legal Basis of the Survey
This survey is conducted as the Fundamental Statistical Survey under the Statistical Act (Act No. 53 of 2007).
Coverage of the Survey and Sampling Method
The survey covers enterprises, etc.[2] or establishments in the industries mentioned below:
Establishments belonging to the minor group "establishments engaged in administrative or ancillary economic activities" set for each medium group are excluded.
Note:[2] An "Enterprise, etc." is defined as a corporation (excluding foreign companies) conducting business activities or an establishment and enterprise of individual proprietorship, and including a part of public enterprises, etc. operated by the national government or local governments.
| Major groups |
Medium groups |
Note |
|---|---|---|
| G Information and communications |
37 Communications |
|
| H Transport and postal services |
42 Railway transport |
|
| K Real estate and goods rental and leasing |
68 Real estate agencies |
|
| L Scientific research, professional and technical services |
72 Professional services, n.e.c. |
Excluding the medium group "71 Scientific and development research institutes" and the detailed category "7282 Pure holding companies." |
| M Accommodations, eating and drinking services |
75 Accommodations |
|
| N Living-related and personal services and amusement services |
78 Laundry, beauty and bath services |
Excluding the minor group "792 Domestic services." |
| O Education, learning support |
82 Miscellaneous education, learning support |
Excluding the medium group "81 School education." |
| P Medical, health care and welfare |
83 Medical and other health services |
Excluding the minor group "841 Public health centers", "851 Social insurance organizations" and "852 Welfare offices." |
| R Services, n.e.c. |
88 Waste disposal business |
Excluding the medium group "93 Political, business and cultural organizations", "94 Religion" and "96 Foreign governments and international agencies in Japan." |
(1) Enterprise, etc.
A. The survey is conducted on enterprises, etc. belonging to the industries that do not fit a survey by sampling establishments, such as the minor group "371 Fixed telecommunications," "372 Mobile telecommunications," and "382 Private-sector broadcasting, except cablecasting," and the medium group "42 Railway transport," "46 Air transport" or "49 Postal services, including mail delivery."
B. The survey is conducted on all enterprises belonging to the industries other than above A, with capital, investment, or fund (hereinafter "capital, etc.") of 100 million yen or more.
(2) Establishment
Samples are selected by stratified random samples for group based of number of persons working at the location of establishment for establishments which belong to the industries other than above A and do not belong to enterprise, etc. falling under the above A or B. For sampling establishments, all establishments in the stratum above a certain scale are surveyed.
Scale of Survey
(1) Enterprise, etc.
The survey covers about 13,000 enterprises, etc.
(2) Establishment
The survey covers about 25,000 establishments.
Survey Items
The following items are surveyed using "first month questionnaires" for the first month after the start of the survey, "questionnaires" for the second month and after for the survey.
(1) Enterprise, etc.
A. First month questionnaires
- Name , Location and Corporation number
- Whether the consumption tax is included or excluded
- Number of persons engaged (of survey month and the previous month)
- Monthly sales (income) and breakdowns by business activity (of survey month and the previous month)
B. Questionnaires
- Name , Location and Corporation number
- Whether the consumption tax is included or excluded
- Number of persons engaged (of survey month and the previous month)
- Monthly sales (income) and breakdowns by business activity (of survey month)
(2) Establishment
A. First month questionnaires
- Name , Location and Corporation number
- Whether the consumption tax is included or excluded
- Categories of main business of establishments
- Number of persons engaged (of survey month and the previous month)
- Monthly sales (income) (of survey month and the previous month)
B. Questionnaires
- Name , Location and Corporation number
- Whether the consumption tax is included or excluded
- Number of persons engaged (of survey month and the previous month)
- Monthly sales (income) (of survey month)
Survey Schedule
Date of Survey
The survey is conducted regarding sales for each month, and regarding the number of persons engaged on the business day nearest to the end of the month.
Deadline of Submission of Questionnaires
The deadline is in principle the 15th of the month following the survey month.
Survey Method
There are two types of surveys: "survey by online" and "survey by direct mailing".
Release of Survey Results
The results of the survey are released as a preliminary report by late the second month after the survey month to expedite release as much as possible.
In addition, to provide more accurate statistical information, collecting questionnaires continues to be conducted and the results are released as a final report by late the fifth month after the survey month.
- Preliminary report: In principle, released by late the second month after the survey month.
- Final report: In principle, released by late the fifth month after the survey month.
Implementation and Tabulation of the Survey
The SBJ entrusts the implementation of the survey to private research institutes and the tabulation to the National Statistics Center.
