[Saitama Prefecture] Results of the Saitama Prefecture Quarterly Business Trends Survey (January-March 2026) and Announcement of the Launch of the "Saitama Prefecture Quarterly Business Trends Survey Data Site"

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Saitama Prefecture Quarterly Business Trends Survey and who does it target?

A: The Saitama Prefecture Quarterly Business Trends Survey is conducted by Saitama Prefecture and targets approximately 2,200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the prefecture.

Q: What specific topics were covered in the January-March 2026 survey in addition to regular business sentiment?

A: In addition to regular surveys on business sentiment, this quarter's survey also included inquiries on 'price pass-through' and the 'status of initiatives towards DX' (Digital Transformation).

Q: How did the overall business sentiment DI for SMEs in Saitama Prefecture change in the January-March 2026 period compared to the previous quarter?

A: The business sentiment DI for all industries was -37.6, which represents a decrease of 0.4 points from the previous quarter, indicating a deterioration for the first time in three quarters.

Q: What was the outlook for business sentiment for the next quarter (April-June 2026) based on the survey results?

A: The outlook DI for business sentiment for the next quarter (April-June 2026) was -12.7, showing an increase of 6.0 points from the previous quarter, which is an improvement for the first time in two quarters.

Q: What were the key findings regarding sales, cash flow, and profitability for all industries in the January-March 2026 survey?

A: The sales DI and cash flow DI for all industries deteriorated for the first time in two quarters, and the profitability DI deteriorated for the first time in four quarters.