Subsidy programs are run by Japanese municipalities, and their pages are in Japanese. Most require residency or registration in the town.
Local 10,000 Project (Regional Economic Circulation Creation Grant)BusinessMax ¥30M
Nationwide・FY2026・From April 1, 2026 (apply via municipality, multiple reviews within fiscal year)
Public subsidy for initial investment in private businesses (facility construction/renovation, equipment, etc.). Cap ¥30M (up to ¥55M depending on loan amount)
Conditions: Requires regional financial institution loan (generally uncollateralized) equal to or exceeding subsidy. Land acquisition not eligible. Apply through municipality (municipality applies to MIC)
Program page ↗
Small Business Continuity Subsidy (General Type, Standard Category)BusinessMax ¥500K67%
Nationwide・FY2026・November 5, 2026 – December 15, 2026 (Round 20)
2/3 for sales channel development (including store renovation) for small businesses, cap ¥500K. Invoice special provision +¥500K, wage increase special provision +¥1.5M
Conditions: Small businesses (commerce/services ≤5 employees, lodging/entertainment/manufacturing ≤20). Requires support plan from Chamber of Commerce. Real estate acquisition not eligible
Program page ↗
New Business Expansion, Manufacturing and Commercial Services Subsidy (New Business Expansion Category)BusinessMax ¥70M50%
Nationwide・FY2026・September 30, 2026 – October 30, 2026 (Round 1)
1/2 for building costs, machinery, etc. for new business expansion. Cap ¥25M–¥70M by employee count (up to ¥90M with wage increase special provision)
Conditions: SMEs, etc. Plan must achieve annual average 4.0%+ added value, 3.5%+ wage increase (repayment if unmet). 2/3 rate with minimum wage increase special provision
Program page ↗
SME Growth Acceleration SubsidyBusinessMax ¥500M50%
Nationwide・FY2026・September 29, 2026 – November 12, 2026 (3rd call)
1/2 for large-scale investment (building costs, machinery, etc.) by SMEs aiming for ¥10B revenue. Cap ¥500M
Conditions: Revenue ¥1B–¥10B, investment ¥100M+, public "¥10B Declaration" required. Land cost and demolition not eligible
Program page ↗
Community Contribution Challenge Shop Support SubsidyBusinessMax ¥1.6M50%
Date City, Hokkaido・FY2026・April 1, 2026–February 26, 2027
Half of renovation/remodeling/new construction costs, rent within 1 year of opening, and advertising expenses for newly opening shops (up to ¥1.6M)
Conditions: Newly opening individuals/small/medium enterprises, reside in city, join Chamber of Commerce and neighborhood association, conduct community contribution activities. Ends when budget exhausted
Program page ↗
Urahoro Town New Business Startup Subsidy (FY2026)BusinessMax ¥3M
Urahoro Town, Hokkaido・FY2026・September 1, 2026 - November 30, 2026
New startup and business launch support. Eligible costs include building and renovation expenses
Conditions: Corporations/business operators starting new business in town or within 3 years of startup
Program page ↗
Utashinai City Entrepreneurship Support SubsidyBusinessMax ¥1M
Utashinai City, Hokkaido・FY2025・April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026
Subsidizes part of shop purchase, renovation, equipment costs, etc. required for entrepreneurship
Conditions: For those starting a business in the city. Capital investment, renovation, development costs and other startup expenses eligible
Program page ↗
Commercial and Industrial New Startup Support ProgramBusinessMax ¥1M50%
Shihoro Town, Hokkaido
1/2 of construction costs for new startup shops/factories, equipment/fixture purchases, advertising costs (up to ¥1M)
Conditions: ≤20 regular employees, Chamber of Commerce membership, operating ≥6 months. Opening via leasing municipal land/buildings ineligible
Program page ↗
Shinhidaka Town Entrepreneurship and Business Succession Support GrantBusinessMax ¥500K
Shinhidaka Town, Hokkaido・FY2026・From April 1, 2026 (application period ongoing)
Grants support funds for entrepreneurship or business succession. Additional amount when using vacant shops or vacant offices
Conditions: For those intending to start a new business or succeed to management resources of existing business. Pre-startup eligible
Program page ↗
Makkari Village Business Start-up Support ProgramBusinessMax ¥2M
Makkari Village, Hokkaido・FY2026
Subsidy for part of new building construction costs, 3-year property tax exemption
Conditions: See official guidelines for details. New building construction eligible.
Program page ↗
Kiyosato Town Startup Support ProjectBusinessMax ¥1M80%
Kiyosato Town, Hokkaido・FY2026・April 1, 2026 to December 25, 2026
Subsidizes startup expenses for new restaurants and businesses using vacant houses/stores (4/5 for restaurants, 2/3 for others)
Conditions: For entrepreneurs, SMEs, and sole proprietors newly starting restaurants etc. in town. Vacant houses, vacant stores, and new construction eligible.
Program page ↗
Start-up SupportBusinessMax ¥3M75%
Nishiokoppe Village, Hokkaido
3/4 of eligible expenses for those starting businesses in the village (max ¥3M)
Conditions: Continue business for 5+ years
Program page ↗
Wakkanai City New Entrepreneur Support GrantBusinessMax ¥500K50%
Wakkanai City, Hokkaido・FY2026
1/2 of initial equipment and building acquisition costs for new entrepreneurs (up to ¥500K); rent up to ¥50K/month × max 6 months
Conditions: Recommendation from Wakkanai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, qualified entrepreneur with approved startup financing, operating approx. 5 days/week. Once per enterprise lifetime
Program page ↗
Commercial/Industrial Start-up Support ProgramBusinessMax ¥2M50%
Minamifurano Town, Hokkaido
1/2 of new construction/renovation of stores or equipment costs at start-up (max ¥2M). Business expansion 1/3
Conditions: Project cost ¥1M+, representative resides in town, business continuation 3+ years, chamber of commerce member. Contracts/construction before grant approval ineligible
Program page ↗
Shibecha Town GOGO Challenge Support Project SubsidyBusinessMax ¥550K50%
Shibecha Town, Hokkaido・FY2026・Ongoing applications (within budget)
Supports startup and new business challenges: store construction costs, equipment costs, advertising expenses, and rent (up to 6 months)
Conditions: Town residents, no delinquent town taxes, 50% or more of subsidized expenses purchased from town businesses
Program page ↗
Subsidy terms change every fiscal year. Always confirm with the municipality before applying.