Kitakyushu City SME Loans: Economic Response, Start-up and Disaster Recovery Funds, and FY2026 ChangesWhen money runs short, you can borrow at low interest under the city's programs
Working with 14 partner banks, Kitakyushu City offers long-term, fixed-rate, low-interest loans for small and medium-sized businesses. The Economic Response Fund (general frame) for falling sales or margins has a JPY 100 million limit, the Start-up Support Fund JPY 35 million, and the Disaster Recovery Fund JPY 50 million (JPY 100 million with special approval by the mayor). In FY2026, guarantee fee rates and some interest rates were revised.When sales of a shop or company fall, when someone starts a new business, or when a typhoon or fire causes damage, Kitakyushu City works with banks to offer loans with low and fixed interest. In FY2026, some interest rates and other terms were revised.
- ○Applies: Sales fell 3% or more from the same time last year
- ○Applies: The profit margin fell 3 points or more
- ○Applies: Material purchase prices rose 10% or more from last year
- ×Does not apply: You have unpaid city taxes