New Business Expansion and Manufacturing, Commerce and Service Subsidy, Round 1: deadline October 30, 18:00The government helps pay for big equipment costs for new work or new products
This is the first call for a subsidy that supports capital investment for developing technologically innovative new products and services, entering new markets or high-value-added businesses, and strengthening export capability. There are three categories: Innovative New Products and Services, New Business Expansion, and Global. Applications open at 18:00 on September 30, and the deadline is 18:00 on October 30.
Key points
- For the New Business Expansion category, the subsidy cap is JPY 25 million for 1 to 20 employees, JPY 40 million for 21 to 50, JPY 55 million for 51 to 100, and JPY 70 million for 101 or more (up to JPY 90 million when the wage-increase special provision applies). The minimum subsidy is JPY 7.5 million.
- The Innovative New Products and Services category is up to JPY 25 million (up to JPY 35 million with the wage-increase special provision), and the Global category is up to JPY 70 million (JPY 90 million likewise).
- Subsidy rates: for Innovative New Products and Services, 1/2 for small and medium-sized enterprises and 2/3 for small enterprises and micro businesses; for New Business Expansion, 1/2; for Global, 2/3 (the rate in parentheses applies when the regional minimum wage increase special provision applies).
- Over a business plan of 3 to 5 years after the subsidized project ends, the applicant must meet all of these: average annual growth in value added of +4.0% or more, average annual growth in total salary paid per employee of +3.5% or more, and an in-workplace minimum wage at least JPY 30 above the regional minimum wage.
- Applications are accepted only through the electronic application system. If the targets are not met, part or all of the subsidy may have to be returned.
What to do in practice
- In the call for applications, check which category your company falls under and whether your plan can meet the wage-increase requirements.
- Prepare the account needed for electronic application and your business plan, working backward from the deadline of October 30, 18:00.
This is a program where the government pays part of the equipment costs for companies that make new products, start a different kind of business, or prepare to sell abroad. Because the amounts are large, the company is later checked to see whether it really grew.
- June 29, 2026The call for applications, which explains the conditions, was published
- September 30, 2026, 18:00Applications opened
- October 30, 2026, 18:00Application deadline (strictly enforced)
Points
- There are 3 types: new products or services, work in a new field, and preparing to sell abroad
- The more people a company has, the higher the upper limit it can receive
- If the company does not reach its growth targets, it may have to give back part or all of the money
What the words mean
- Value added
- The value a company creates, which is the source of its profit
- Return (of the subsidy)
- Giving back the money you received
- Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN (SMRJ): New Business Expansion and Manufacturing, Commerce and Service Subsidy
- Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Small and Medium Enterprise Agency: Round 1 call for applications guidelines for the New Business Expansion and Manufacturing, Commerce and Service Subsidy published
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.