Toward a Quantitative Validation of Entrepreneurial Characteristics and Ecosystem in Japan

This study aims to quantitatively validate the Entrepreneurial Characteristics (EC) Model, which conceptualizes the interaction between internal factors (mindset and skillset) and external factors (entrepreneurial support systems and cultural context) in the decision-making of Japanese entrepreneurs. Based on prior qualitative research, we developed a scale reflecting these dimensions and conducted a pilot survey with 106 participants. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with maximum likelihood estimation and promax rotation, we identified a three-factor structure: (1) Environmental Readiness, (2) Entrepreneurial Drive, and (3) Sense of Purpose. These factors reflect key dimensions of the EC model and demonstrate theoretical coherence and practical relevance. The findings offer a foundational framework for subsequent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), contributing to both academic theory and entrepreneurial support policy. This study serves as a bridge between qualitative insights and empirical validation, offering new directions for entrepreneurship research in Japan.