Kitakyushu City's Support for Opening in Vacant Shop Fronts: FY2026 Renovation Subsidy Only, Open Until End of DecemberThe city supports people who start a business in an empty shop on a shopping street
Through its Shutter Hiraku Project, Kitakyushu City helps people open businesses in vacant shop fronts in shopping streets and markets, with consultation, business plan help, subsidies and renovation support. New applications for the rent subsidy ended with FY2026, leaving the subsidy that covers 50% of opening renovation costs. Applications for FY2026 are accepted until the end of December.This program supports people who start a new business in a shop on a shopping street that has been closed up. In FY2026, a subsidy that pays half of the shop renovation cost (up to JPY 500,000) is accepting applications until the end of December.
Rent subsidyRenovation subsidy
FY2026 new applicationsEndedUntil end of December
What is covered50% of rent (12 months)50% of opening renovation costs
CapJPY 500,000 (JPY 750,000 youth and women frame)JPY 500,000 (JPY 750,000 youth and women frame)
Notes—Partly repaid if closed within 3 years. Association recommendation letter needed
- 1. ApplyApply by the end of any month
- 2. ResultThe result arrives late the next month
- 3. WorkRenovate the shop (by the end of February of that fiscal year)
- 4. OpenOpen the shop