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 ↗
Entrepreneurship Support SubsidyBusinessMax ¥1.5M50%
Aga Town, Niigata・FY2026・Applications from April 1 (until budget reached)
Subsidy for location establishment/business promotion costs for companies/corporations starting in town. ¥1.5M for up to ¥3M in expenses
Conditions: Establish business location in town, start business within application year. Must show effects for town revitalization, job creation, economic improvement
Program page ↗
Vacant Shop Utilization Promotion Grant (support for opening in 13-district vacant shops)BusinessMax ¥1M50%
Joetsu City, Niigata・FY2026・April 1, 2026–January 29, 2027 (ends when budget reached)
1/2 of renovation costs for opening shop/office in vacant shops/akiya in 13-district target areas, 1st floor up to ¥1M (2nd floor etc. 1/4, ¥500K)
Conditions: Individuals/corporations opening commercial facilities or offices in vacant shops/akiya in 13-district target areas (parts of Yasuzuka, Kakizaki, Miwa, etc.). Start business after grant approval
Program page ↗
Industry Support Program Grant (Startup Support)BusinessMax ¥500K50%
Murakami City, Niigata・FY2026・April 1, 2026–January 15, 2027 (ends when budget exhausted)
1/2 of startup owner's shop renovation/facility construction/rent etc. (2/3 if local contractor used), up to ¥500K. ¥100K bonus for akiya/vacant shop use
Conditions: Receive management guidance from startup support organization, reside in city by business start date. Property acquisition costs excluded. Payment by February 26, 2027
Program page ↗
Nagaoka City Satellite Office Opening Promotion GrantBusinessMax ¥2M50%
Nagaoka City, Niigata・FY2026・April 1–end of February each fiscal year (ends when budget reached)
1/2 of satellite office opening costs for IT companies (up to ¥2M) + ¥250K per city-resident full-time employee (up to ¥500K)
Conditions: IT companies without office in city. Employ city-resident full-time employees within 3 years of opening, expect to operate 3+ years continuously
Program page ↗
Tsunan Town Entrepreneurship and Start-up Business Support SubsidyBusinessMax ¥500K50%
Tsunan Town, Niigata・FY2026
For NICO entrepreneurship grant recipients, town adds 1/2 of eligible expenses (max ¥500K). ¥300K increase for utilizing akiya/vacant stores
Conditions: Receive grant approval from Niigata Industrial Creation Organization (NICO), open a business in town as representative, and reside in town
Program page ↗
Subsidy terms change every fiscal year. Always confirm with the municipality before applying.