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Government Incentives for new businesses
NationalRegional or municipal

Government Incentives for new businesses

中小企業・小規模事業者向けの補助金・助成金

National

Subsidies and grants can be broadly divided into those that support business enhancement, provided by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (経済産業省) and Small and Medium Enterprise Agency (中小企業庁), and those that support improvements in employee treatment, provided by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (厚生労働省).

Subsidy programs provided by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are:

  • IT Introduction Subsidy (サービス等生産性向上IT導入支援事業)
  • Subsidy for Small Business Sustainability (小規模事業者持続化補助金)
  • Manufacturing Subsidy (ものづくり補助金)

Subsidy program provided by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is:

  • Career Advancement Subsidy (キャリアアップ助成金)

Applying for the IT Introduction Subsidy can be tricky because you'll need to work with an IT tool vendor to get the right hardware, software, or systems.

On the other hand, the Subsidy for Small Business Sustainability and the Manufacturing Subsidy are ones you can tackle on your own by creating the application form. However, these forms need more than just basic information, so many people find it helpful to get advice from business advisors, like those at the Chamber of Commerce.

Let's take a quick look at these two subsidies you can apply for by yourself.

Subsidy for Small Business Sustainability

This subsidy helps small businesses boost their sales channels and productivity. There are two types:

  • "General Type": This supports projects aimed at developing sales channels according to business plans.
  • "Low Infection Risk Type": This supports investments in infection control measures for the post-COVID era.

Eligible businesses include corporations and sole proprietors with 20 or fewer regular employees (5 or fewer for those in commerce and service industries, excluding lodging and entertainment).

Maximum Subsidy

Subsidy Rate

General Type

500,000 yen (for single applications)

*Up to 5,000,000 yen for joint projects involving multiple businesses

2/3

Low Infection Risk Type

1,000,000 yen

3/4

Manufacturing Subsidy

This subsidy is designed to support equipment investments aimed at developing innovative services, creating prototypes, and improving production processes to boost productivity. There are two types:

  • "General Type": For general equipment investments to enhance productivity.
  • "Global Expansion Type": For businesses looking to expand their reach internationally.

This subsidy targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small businesses. To be eligible, businesses must meet specific criteria regarding capital and the number of employees.

Maximum Subsidy

Subsidy Rate

General Type

10,000,000 yen

SMEs: 1/2

Small businesses: 2/3

Global Expansion Type

30,000,000 yen

SMEs: 1/2

Small businesses: 2/3

Resources

While you can apply for subsidies on your own, the application documents need to be well-prepared to get accepted. Here are some resources to help you:

  • Consult Business Advisors at the Chamber of Commerce or Commercial and Industrial Associations: These experts in finance, accounting, and management can assist with your subsidy applications. You need to be a member, with fees usually ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 yen per month.

  • Attend Seminars Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce or Commercial and Industrial Associations: These seminars explain the subsidy system and give tips on how to prepare your application forms.

  • Register for Free Consultations Organized by the Chamber of Commerce or Commercial and Industrial Associations: These sessions often feature certified small business consultants who provide specialized advice and support for your subsidy applications.

Regional or municipal

Subsidies and grants website, supporting small and medium-sized businesses:

Tokyo:

  • Tokyo Metropolitan Government (東京都): https://www.zaimu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/zaisei/zaisei/dashboard/redirect06
  • Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Tokyo Metropolitan Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Public Corporation (公益財団法人東京都中小企業振興公社): https://www.tokyo-kosha.or.jp/support/josei/index.html
  • Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Tokyo Job Foundation (公益財団法人東京しごと財団): https://www.shigotozaidan.or.jp/link/Grant_Money_link.html

Osaka:

Fukuoka:

  • Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (福岡商工会議所): https://www.fukunet.or.jp/keieisodan/subsidy/
  • Fukuoka Labour Bureau (福岡労働局): https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/fukuoka-roudoukyoku/hourei_seido_tetsuzuki/kakushu_joseikin/joseikinichiran_00013.html

Sapporo: