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 ↗
Business Succession Support SubsidyBusinessMax ¥500K67%
Kibi Chuo Town, Okayama・FY2025・August 12, 2025 – March 31, 2027
Subsidizes 2/3 of eligible costs (max ¥500K) for office/store construction, renovation, rent, and equipment at business succession
Conditions: Small business operators succeeding business in town. Chamber of Commerce members. No tax arrears. Must register residence within 6 months of succession.
Program page ↗
Startup Support SubsidyBusinessMax ¥1M67%
Kibi Chuo Town, Okayama・FY2025・August 12, 2025 – March 31, 2027
Subsidizes 2/3 of eligible costs (max ¥1M) for office/store construction, renovation, rent, and equipment at startup
Conditions: Small business operators starting new business in town. Must create business plan with guidance from Chamber of Commerce. No tax arrears. Must register residence within 6 months of startup.
Program page ↗
Kagamino Town Akiya Business Opening Support SubsidyBusinessMax ¥2M50%
Kagamino Town, Okayama・FY2025・FY2025: April 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Subsidizes renovation costs for new business opening using akiya (subsidy rate 1/2)
Conditions: Migrants from outside prefecture or prospective migrants. Must employ at least one person under 40 within 1 week of opening
Program page ↗
Takahashi City 'Welcome to Takahashi!' Specific Business Opening Support GrantBusinessMax ¥3M50%
Takahashi City, Okayama・FY2026・FY2026
Support for opening specific business types: 1/2 subsidy for storefront renovation, construction, and land purchase (max ¥3M)
Conditions: Operators of specific business types (restaurants, etc.); eligible expenses ¥500K or more
Program page ↗
Takahashi City Regional Commerce Revitalization Support Subsidy (New Business Opening Support)BusinessMax ¥500K50%
Takahashi City, Okayama・FY2026・FY2026
For new entrepreneurs and second-time founders: 1/2 subsidy for storefront renovation and equipment purchase (max ¥500K, additional ¥100K)
Conditions: New entrepreneurs, second-time founders, new business entrants; eligible expenses ¥500K or more; support by certified support organization
Program page ↗
Niimi City Startup and Business Succession Support SubsidyBusinessMax ¥1M67%
Niimi City, Okayama・FY2025・FY2025: April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026
New startups, second startups, business succession. Subsidizes store rental fees, equipment costs, etc.
Conditions: Starting business in the city. Under 65 years old. Subsidy rate up to 2/3, max ¥1M
Program page ↗
Niimi City Small and Medium Enterprise Support Subsidy (Store Renovation)BusinessMax ¥1M50%
Niimi City, Okayama・FY2026・April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
Store renovation. Design and construction costs eligible (projects ¥1M+ by city contractors)
Conditions: Sole proprietors residing in the city 1+ year or corporations with business locations in the city
Program page ↗
Soja Merchant Support Project SubsidyBusinessMax ¥500K50%
Soja City, Okayama・FY2026
Renovation subsidy for entrepreneurs starting new businesses in vacant shops or houses. Up to ¥500K
Conditions: Property vacant for 1+ years. New business startup. Renovation costs of ¥500K+ eligible
Program page ↗
Soja City Startup GrantBusinessMax ¥300K
Soja City, Okayama・FY2026・Within 1 year of startup
¥300K grant for entrepreneurs (one-time only)
Conditions: Apply within 1 year of startup. Proof of receiving Specified Startup Support required
Program page ↗
Business Succession Support SubsidyBusinessMax ¥1M50%
Bizen City, Okayama・FY2026
Facility and equipment improvement costs for business succession. Subsidy rate 1/2, max ¥1M.
Conditions: Small/medium enterprises or sole proprietors in city. Covers facility and equipment renovation.
Program page ↗
Commercial Promotion ProjectBusinessMax ¥1M33%
Bizen City, Okayama・FY2026
Vacant storefront utilization, new business startup, store renovation. 1/3 of construction costs, max ¥1M subsidy.
Conditions: Plan to continue business 3+ years. Subject to refund if closed within 3 years of opening. Resident registration in city or small/medium enterprise.
Program page ↗
Subsidy terms change every fiscal year. Always confirm with the municipality before applying.