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 | 小規模事業者持続化補助金〈創業型〉第4回 |
|---|---|
| Level | National · Nationwide |
| Administered by | METI SME Agency; 商工会/商工会議所 secretariats |
| Type | Start-up / sales channel |
| Maximum amount | 2,000,000 (+500,000 invoice special) |
| Subsidy rate | 2/3 |
| Who can apply | Small businesses within 3 yrs of founding that received 特定創業支援等事業 support from a certified municipality |
| Support organisation | 様式4 from 商工会/商工会議所 + 特定創業支援等事業 certificate from the municipality |
| How to apply | Dedicated e-system; GビズID |
| Rounds and deadlines | Same window as round 20: 2026-11-05 to 12-15 (secondary source) |
| Adoption rate | n/a |
Can a foreign-owned company apply?
Same as NAT-016 (Japan 本店 or Japan-resident individual; no 100% ownership by a ≥¥500M company). Useful for foreign founders on a 経営・管理 visa after completing a municipal start-up programme.
Points to note
Details secondary. The main national 創業 grant route since 地域創造的起業補助金 ended.
Grant rules, amounts and deadlines change every round. Always work from the current application guidelines (公募要領) on the official page. This page is general information, not advice on your eligibility.
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.