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 | 創業助成事業 |
|---|---|
| Level | Public agency · Tokyo |
| Administered by | 東京都中小企業振興公社 (TOKYO KOSHA) |
| Type | startup |
| Maximum amount | ¥4,000,000 |
| Subsidy rate | 2/3 (min 1,000,000) |
| Who can apply | Individuals about to start a business in Tokyo, or companies/sole props/NPOs under 5 yrs old whose representative has under 5 yrs of management experience |
| Support organisation | Yes: must have used a designated startup support programme (e.g. TOKYO創業ステーション) |
| How to apply | Yes (GビズID Prime) |
| Rounds and deadlines | FY2026 R1 Apr 7-16, R2 Sep 29-Oct 8 2026 (both closed); typically 2 rounds/yr |
| Adoption rate | Not published on page (historically about 15-20%) |
Can a foreign-owned company apply?
Not restricted by nationality on the page. Founders need a real Tokyo base (a virtual office alone does not count) and a Tokyo-registered HQ; foreign founders need residence status allowing management (経営・管理) by the time they operate. Q&A: 03-5220-1142
Points to note
Personnel and outsourcing costs capped at 3M and 1M; grant period 6 months to 2 years
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.