Details compiled from secondary sources and not yet checked against the official page. Part of Oak’s directory of Japanese business grants.
Before you apply
- The money is not up front. You pay for the whole project yourself. The grant reimburses a share of it (often half to two-thirds) after a completion report has been checked, typically 6 to 18 months after applying.
- Do not spend before approval. Costs ordered, contracted or paid before the official grant decision (交付決定) are usually not eligible.
- Competitive and strict. Business plans are scored against other applicants and many are rejected. Eligibility rules on company size, ownership and tax compliance are applied to the letter.
- Obligations continue after payment. Reports for up to five years, inspections, and targets in your plan. Missing them can mean repaying part or all of the grant.
| Japanese name | JAPANブランド育成支援等事業 |
|---|---|
| Level | National · Nationwide |
| Administered by | METI SME Agency |
| Type | Export / overseas branding |
| Maximum amount | 5,000,000 (FY2022 official; recent rules not confirmed) |
| Subsidy rate | 1/2–2/3 (historic) |
| Who can apply | SMEs and groups developing overseas markets with an approved 支援パートナー |
| Support organisation | Uses an SME Agency-approved support partner |
| How to apply | jGrants (historic) |
| Rounds and deadlines | No FY2026 call confirmed |
| Adoption rate | n/a |
Can a foreign-owned company apply?
Japan-incorporated KK/GK (incl. foreign-owned) eligible if within SME capital/employee limits. Excluded as みなし大企業 if one large company owns >=1/2, large companies together own >=2/3, or large-company officers/staff hold >=1/2 of board seats; a foreign parent counts as a large company if BOTH its capital and headcount exceed SME limits. Branches of foreign companies (no Japanese HQ/本店) not eligible. Standard METI wording; confirm in this programme's 公募要領.
Points to note
Status uncertain for FY2025–26; overseas-expansion support is moving into the Global track (NAT-008) and SMRJ/JETRO hands-on support.
How Oak can help
Oak is a licensed gyoseishoshi (administrative scrivener) firm. We check eligibility before you spend time on an application, help set up the GビズID Prime account most programmes require, prepare and organise the supporting documents within the programme's rules, and handle the reporting that follows an award.