Small Enterprise Sustainability Subsidy (Regular Category), 20th Round: Applications from November 5, Cap Up to JPY 2.5 Million with Special ProvisionsThe government pays two-thirds of the cost of ways to bring in more customers
This is the 20th call for a subsidy that supports small business operators who draw up a business plan with the help of a chamber of commerce and industry (shokokai / shokokaigisho) and work on developing sales channels. The application guidelines were published on May 27, 2026 (Reiwa 8), and applications are accepted from November 5 to December 15. The subsidy rate is 2/3 and the cap is JPY 500,000, rising to a maximum of JPY 2.5 million with special provisions.
- May 27, 2026Application guidelines published
- November 5, 2026Applications open
- December 15, 2026, 5:00 p.m.Application deadline
Key points
- Subsidy rate is 2/3 (3/4 for loss-making operators among those using the wage increase special provision)
- The cap is JPY 500,000. Meeting the requirements of the invoice special provision adds JPY 500,000, and meeting those of the wage increase special provision adds JPY 1.5 million (up to JPY 2.5 million at most with special provisions)
- The invoice special provision applies to tax-exempt operators that have registered as qualified invoice issuers; the wage increase special provision applies to operators whose total salary payment per employee rose by an annual average of 3.0% or more
- A small business operator means 5 or fewer employees in commerce and services (excluding accommodation and entertainment), and 20 or fewer in manufacturing and similar industries
- Schedule: guidelines published May 27, applications open November 5, applications close December 15
What to do in practice
- Consult the nearest chamber of commerce and industry about your business plan and draw it up
- Check whether you qualify for the special provisions (invoice and wage increase)
This is a program where the government pays part of the cost when a small shop or company tries to get more customers, for example by making flyers or launching a new product. You make a plan while getting advice from people at a chamber of commerce.
- Money spent
- JPY 600,000
- Paid by the government (two-thirds)
- JPY 400,000
- The part you pay yourself
- JPY 200,000
Points
- Two-thirds of the money you spent comes back. The limit to start with is JPY 500,000
- If you meet certain conditions, the limit can rise to as much as JPY 2.5 million
- You can apply from November 5 to December 15 this year
What the words mean
- Developing sales channels
- Finding new customers or new places to sell
- Subsidy rate
- The share of the money you spent that the government pays
- Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Subsidy for Sustainable Business Operations of Small Enterprises (Regular Category) leaflet (PDF)
- Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Subsidy call information
This article summarizes and explains materials published by government agencies and is not advice on any individual case. Rules can change, so for actual procedures and decisions always check the latest original materials and consult professionals such as tax accountants or labor and social security attorneys. English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese versions are translations prepared from the Japanese articles for convenience. If anything differs, the Japanese text and the original source take precedence.