Core Insights - Japan holds a significant position in the global landscape of long-lived family businesses, with 45,189 companies over 100 years old, accounting for 51.2% of the world's total [2][3] - Among these, 1,813 companies have survived for over 200 years, representing 65.2% of the global total, while 889 have lasted over 300 years, 47 over 500 years, and 11 over 1,000 years [2] Group 1: Principles of Long-Lived Family Businesses - Long-term planning is essential, with a focus on preparing successors over 10, 30, and 100-year timelines [5] - The principle of "capacity-based management" emphasizes businesses should only expand according to their capabilities, avoiding ventures beyond their means [6] - Core competencies must be maintained, as evidenced by the struggles of Kongō Gumi when diversifying into unfamiliar construction areas [7] Group 2: Relationships and Risk Management - Strong relationships with stakeholders, including customers and suppliers, are crucial, as seen in Toyota's support for struggling suppliers [8] - Risk management is highlighted by the substantial internal deposits of Japanese companies, which reached 516 trillion yen (approximately 25 trillion RMB) by September 2024, reflecting a conservative approach to financial stability [8][9] Group 3: Inheritance Practices - The long-son inheritance system and unique adoption practices ensure capable successors are chosen, often prioritizing ability over blood relations [12][13] - Approximately 10% of Japanese family businesses transfer control to non-blood relatives, such as sons-in-law or adopted children, to enhance succession success rates [13][15] Group 4: Training Successors - Emphasis on training successors from the ground up is common, ensuring they understand the business intricacies and build relationships with employees [17][18] - The practice of sending successors to work in other companies for experience is also prevalent, allowing them to gain valuable insights before returning to the family business [18][24] Group 5: Governance and Family Values - Family governance structures, including family constitutions, help manage complex family dynamics and ensure business stability [20][27] - The importance of family values and rules is underscored, with 80% of surveyed family businesses having established family rules or teachings [19][27]