EXPERTS · IN ENGLISH
English-speaking subsidy experts
英語で相談できる補助金の専門家Gyoseishoshi, sharoshi, certified advisors and registered vendors
The paperwork is in Japanese. These experts can explain it — and, where the law allows, prepare it — in English.
WHO DOES WHAT
Which expert do you need?
Gyoseishoshi
行政書士
Prepares subsidy (hojokin) application documents for a fee.
ForSustainability, Monozukuri, Labor-Saving (general), local subsidies
Sharoshi
社会保険労務士
Handles employment grant (joseikin) applications and work rules for a fee.
ForCareer-Up Grant, Work Improvement Grant
Certified advisor
認定経営革新等支援機関
Reviews and improves your business plan. Includes tax accountants and SME consultants.
ForMonozukuri, Labor-Saving (general), Sustainability
Registered IT vendor
IT導入支援事業者
Your required partner for the Digitalization & AI Subsidy. Applies with you.
ForDigitalization & AI
Registered seller
販売事業者
Your required partner for catalog products. Applies with you.
ForLabor-Saving (catalog)
The law decides who can write your application
Only licensed gyoseishoshi may prepare subsidy documents for a fee, and employment grant applications for a fee are sharoshi work. Consultants without these licences can advise you — but cannot write the documents for a fee.
DIRECTORY
Find an expert
Listings open soon
We are preparing our directory of English-speaking experts. Until then, you can find licensed professionals through the official directories below.
Japan Federation of Gyoseishoshi Associations
行政書士
Official member search (in Japanese). Search by prefecture and check the registration number.
Open the official site ↗Japan Federation of Labor and Social Security Attorney's Associations
社会保険労務士
Official English page. Your prefecture's sharoshi association can introduce local members.
Open the official site ↗SME Agency — certified support institutions
認定経営革新等支援機関
Official list and search system for certified advisors (in Japanese).
Open the official site ↗Business Development Center Tokyo
BDC TOKYO
Free business consulting in English for foreign entrepreneurs in Tokyo. They can also introduce specialists.
Open the official site ↗These are public directories, not paid listings. Always check the registration number before you hire anyone.
HOW TO CHOOSE
What a good expert does
- Shows a licence registration number you can check
- Explains fees in writing before you start — fixed and success fees
- Tells you honestly when a program does not fit
- Lets you own the plan: you understand every number in it
- Communicates in English, including the risks and repayment rules
RED FLAGS
Walk away if you hear
- “Approval is guaranteed.” Nobody can promise that.
- “It's free — we refund your share.” This breaks the rules and can mean repaying everything.
- “We work for the ministry.” Ministries and labour bureaus never commission companies to sell grants.
- “We'll write it — no licence needed.” Writing applications for a fee without a licence is illegal.
FOR EXPERTS
Get listed
Reach foreign business owners who are looking for English-speaking help with Japanese subsidies.
- Monthly listingOne flat monthly fee, paid by card. No fee per enquiry, no share of subsidies.
- Direct contactReaders contact you directly from your listing. We do not pass on or screen enquiries.
- Cancel any timeYour listing stays up until the end of the paid month.
- Licence checkLicensed professions are listed after we confirm your registration number.
Price to be announced. Listings are labelled “PR”.
FAQ
Who can prepare subsidy applications in Japan for a fee?
For subsidies (hojokin), only licensed gyoseishoshi (administrative scriveners) may prepare application documents for a fee. For employment grants (joseikin) such as the Career-Up Grant, applications handled for a fee are the work of licensed sharoshi. Other advisors can help you think through your plan, but not write the documents for a fee.
How much do subsidy experts charge?
Common models are a fixed starting fee plus a success fee when your application is selected, or a monthly retainer for employment grants. Registered IT vendors and catalog sellers usually do not charge for application support because they sell you the product.
Can an expert guarantee that I will be selected?
No. Selection depends on the official review. Be careful with anyone who promises approval.
Are the listings on this page paid?
Yes. Experts pay a flat monthly fee to be listed, and every listing is labelled. We do not take a fee per enquiry or a share of any subsidy. We check licence registration before listing, but we do not recommend one expert over another.
Do you introduce me to an expert?
No. You contact the experts directly from their listings. We do not see or pass on your enquiry.