Checked against the official page on 2026-10-20. 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 | 認定支援機関による経営改善計画策定支援事業（405事業・早期経営改善） |
|---|---|
| Level | National · Nationwide |
| Administered by | METI SME Agency / 中小企業活性化協議会 |
| Type | Turnaround / planning |
| Maximum amount | Covers 2/3 of plan-writing and follow-up fees (caps per scheme) |
| Subsidy rate | 2/3 |
| Who can apply | SMEs with financial difficulties |
| Support organisation | Yes – the work is done by a 認定経営革新等支援機関 |
| How to apply | No (applied through the 協議会) |
| Rounds and deadlines | Rolling |
| 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
R7補正 101億円. A gyoseishoshi firm that becomes a 認定支援機関 can earn fees from this.
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.