GUIDE · POS & CASHLESS
POS registers and cashless payments
レジ（POS）とキャッシュレス決済For restaurants and shops — with subsidy options
Visitors expect to pay by card and phone, and staff are hard to find. A tablet POS with cashless payments and table ordering can do both — and subsidies can cover part of the cost.
Register
≤ ¥200K
Covered with invoice software (1/2)
Tablet
≤ ¥100K
Covered with invoice software (1/2)
Ticket machines
Catalog
Labor-Saving Subsidy items
Buy
After
The grant decision
What to compare
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Payment fees決済手数料 | A percentage of every card or QR payment — compare by payment type |
| Payment types対応決済 | Cards, IC transit cards, QR codes (domestic and overseas apps) |
| Payout timing入金サイクル | How quickly sales reach your bank account — important for cash flow |
| Invoice-ready receiptsインボイス対応 | Receipts with your registration number and tax by rate |
| Languages多言語 | Staff screens and customer-facing menus in English and other languages |
| Links連携 | Accounting software, table ordering, reservations, inventory |
Which subsidy fits?
| You want | Subsidy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| POS software + register or tablet | Digitalization & AI (Invoice track) | Up to 1/2. Hardware only with eligible software: PC/tablet ≤ ¥100,000, register ≤ ¥200,000 |
| Ticket machines, self-checkouts | Labor-Saving (catalog) | Choose from the official catalog through a registered seller |
| Multilingual menus, cashless, Wi-Fi in Tokyo | Tokyo Inbound Support | For businesses in Tokyo; see the restaurant page |
Apply before you buy
For both national subsidies you apply with a registered vendor or seller, and buy only after the grant decision. A register bought on your own beforehand is not covered.
Setting up for visitors
- Show accepted payment logos at the entrance
- Use a menu with photos and English (and Chinese/Korean if your guests need it)
- Mark allergens and main ingredients
- Test refunds and receipts in English before you need them
FAQ
Can I get a subsidy for a POS register in Japan?
Yes, through the Digitalization & AI Subsidy (Invoice track) when you buy it together with eligible invoice-ready software from a registered IT vendor. Registers are covered up to ¥200,000 and tablets up to ¥100,000, at 1/2.
Which cashless payments should a restaurant in Japan accept?
Credit cards, IC transit cards and QR code payments cover most customers. If you serve many visitors, check support for overseas cards and QR apps used in their home countries.
Is a ticket machine or self-checkout covered?
Ticket machines and self-checkouts are categories in the Labor-Saving Subsidy catalog. You apply through a registered seller.
Sources
- Digitalization & AI Subsidy — Invoice track (インボイス対応類型)
- Labor-Saving Investment Subsidy — catalog (中小企業省力化投資補助金)
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.
NEED HELP IN ENGLISH?
Talk to an English-speaking expert
Registered IT vendors and catalog sellers who handle POS, payments and the subsidy application — in English.
See experts →PR · Paid listings
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
- POS & tablet registers
- Cashless payments
- Table ordering