Key Facts
• In December 2025, 10 companies in Aomori Prefecture filed for bankruptcy.
• Total liabilities amounted to 595 million yen, down 126 million yen from last year.
• Number of bankruptcies doubled compared to December 2024.
• This is the second time in 2025 with double-digit bankruptcies, first since April.
• Most bankruptcies involved liabilities under 50 million yen, indicating small-scale failures.
• Breakdown by area: Aomori City (5), Hirosaki City (2), Goshogawara City (1), Towada City (1), Sannohe District (1).
• Total affected employees numbered 40.
• Six bankruptcies were related to COVID-19 impacts, remaining at a high level.
• The December 8, 2025, offshore eastern Aomori earthquake caused damage to buildings, roads, and ports.
• Post-earthquake self-restraint mood significantly affected the local economy.
• Tokyo Shoko Research warns many companies suffered negative effects, with bankruptcies likely to increase.
Summary
Aomori Prefecture experienced a notable rise in corporate bankruptcies in December 2025, doubling the number from the previous year to 10 cases. Despite this increase, total liabilities decreased due to the predominance of small-scale bankruptcies with debts under 50 million yen. The affected companies were spread across several cities, with Aomori City reporting half of the cases. Employee impact reached 40 individuals. COVID-19 related bankruptcies remained significant, reflecting ongoing economic challenges from the pandemic. Additionally, the offshore eastern Aomori earthquake on December 8, 2025, inflicted physical damage and fostered a self-restraint atmosphere that further strained the regional economy. Tokyo Shoko Research highlights that many businesses are still suffering from these combined effects, suggesting that the earthquake’s economic repercussions may increasingly manifest as bankruptcies in the near future.
