GUIDE · GLOSSARY
Glossary: English · Romaji · 日本語
補助金の用語集The Japanese words you will meet on every form
Japanese subsidy documents use the same few dozen words again and again. Learn them once, and the guidelines become much easier to follow.
Terms
36
Grouped by topic
Format
3 ways
English, romaji and Japanese
Tip
Search
Paste the Japanese into official sites
Includes
New names
e.g. Digitalization & AI (formerly IT Introduction)
Programs and money
| Term | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Subsidy補助金 | hojokin | Competitive funding for business investment |
| Grant助成金 | joseikin | Mainly employment grants, paid when conditions are met |
| Subsidy rate補助率 | hojoritsu | The share of costs covered, e.g. 1/2 or 2/3 |
| Maximum amount補助上限額 | hojo jōgengaku | The most you can receive |
| Eligible costs補助対象経費 | hojo taishō keihi | Costs the program will cover |
| Track / category枠・類型 | waku / ruikei | A sub-program with its own rules and limits |
| Special condition特例 | tokurei | An extra condition that raises the limit or rate |
| Bonus points加点 | katen | Extra points in the review for certain actions |
| Payment after the fact精算払 | seisanbarai | Paid after the project, based on actual costs |
Application steps
| Term | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Call for applications公募 | kōbo | A round of applications with a deadline |
| Guidelines公募要領 | kōbo yōryō | The official rulebook for a round — read it first |
| Application応募申請 | ōbo shinsei | The first application, reviewed for selection |
| Selection採択 | saitaku | Being chosen in the review |
| Grant application交付申請 | kōfu shinsei | Formal request for the money after selection |
| Grant decision交付決定 | kōfu kettei | The date from which you may order and pay |
| Completion report実績報告 | jisseki hōkoku | Report with proof of spending after the project |
| Effect report効果報告 | kōka hōkoku | Follow-up reports on results for several years |
| Online application電子申請 | denshi shinsei | Applying through a website such as Jgrants |
Documents
| Term | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Business plan事業計画書 | jigyō keikakusho | Your plan, numbers and goals for the project |
| Quote見積書 | mitsumorisho | A price quote from a supplier |
| Competing quotes相見積 | aimitsumori | Quotes from several suppliers to show a fair price |
| Certificate of registered matters履歴事項全部証明書 | rireki jikō zenbu shōmeisho | A company's official registration record |
| Seal certificate印鑑証明書 | inkan shōmeisho | Proof of a company's registered seal |
| Business start notification開業届 | kaigyō todoke | The notice a sole proprietor files with the tax office |
| Work rules就業規則 | shūgyō kisoku | A workplace's official employment rules |
| Corporate number法人番号 | hōjin bangō | A 13-digit number for every company in Japan |
People and organizations
| Term | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative scrivener行政書士 | gyōseishoshi | Licensed to prepare subsidy documents for a fee |
| Labour and social security attorney社会保険労務士 | sharōshi | Licensed to handle employment grants for a fee |
| Certified support institution認定経営革新等支援機関 | nintei shien kikan | Government-certified advisors for business plans |
| Society of Commerce and Industry商工会 | shōkōkai | Local business body that issues support letters |
| Chamber of Commerce and Industry商工会議所 | shōkō kaigisho | City business body that issues support letters |
| Prefectural Labour Bureau都道府県労働局 | rōdōkyoku | Office that handles employment grants |
| Registered IT vendorIT導入支援事業者 | IT dōnyū shien jigyōsha | Required partner for the Digitalization & AI Subsidy |
Staff and wages
| Term | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Small business小規模事業者 | shōkibo jigyōsha | Very small firms: 5 or 20 staff or fewer by industry |
| Regular employees常時使用する従業員 | jōji shiyō suru jūgyōin | The staff count used for size limits |
| Lowest wage in your workplace事業場内最低賃金 | jigyōjōnai saitei chingin | The lowest hourly pay among your staff |
Missing a word? Email us at hello@japansubsidyguide.com and we will add it.
FAQ
What does kofu kettei mean?
Kōfu kettei (交付決定) is the grant decision. It is the official notice that your subsidy will be granted — and the date from which you may order and pay. Costs before it are not covered.
What is kobo yoryo?
Kōbo yōryō (公募要領) are the official guidelines for a round of applications. They set the rules, eligible costs, deadlines and required documents.
What is a nintei shien kikan?
A nintei shien kikan (認定経営革新等支援機関) is a government-certified support institution — such as a tax accountant, SME consultant or bank — that can review and support your business plan.
Sources
- Jgrants — application flow and terms (申請の流れ)
- Digitalization & AI Subsidy — official site
- Work Improvement Grant — lowest wage in your workplace (事業場内最低賃金)
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.
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