Find my subsidy

INDUSTRY · IT & STARTUPS

Subsidies for IT companies & startups

IT・スタートアップ向けの補助金・助成金For software, web and digital service companies

Building a new service, hiring your first regular staff or starting up in Tokyo — the programs IT businesses in Japan can use, and one opportunity most foreign founders miss.

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Updated October 23, 2026 · Checked against the official site by our editors

New service

¥25M

Monozukuri Innovative track, maximum

Hiring

¥800K

Per person, Career-Up Grant

Tokyo startups

¥4M

Startup grant, 2/3 of early costs

Paid

Later

After you buy, finish and report

What you want to do → which program

You want toProgramUp to
Develop a new service or product with new systemsNew Business & Monozukuri (Innovative track)¥7.5M–¥25M
by number of employees
Expand into a new market or overseasNew Business & Monozukuri (New business / Global)¥25M–¥70M
¥90M with wage special
Buy accounting, HR or security tools for your own teamDigitalization & AI Subsidy¥4.5M
Turn contract or part-time staff into regular employeesCareer-Up Grant¥800,000 per person
Start a new business in TokyoTokyo Startup Grant¥4M at 2/3
Promote your service to win customers (very small teams)Sustainability Subsidy¥500,000
¥2.5M with special conditions

The opportunity most founders miss: become a registered IT vendor

The Digitalization & AI Subsidy only pays for tools sold by a registered IT vendor (IT導入支援事業者). If you build software that Japanese SMEs use — booking, POS, accounting, HR, security — registering your company and tool means your customers can get up to half the price back.

  • Your customers buy with a subsidy — an easier sale
  • You apply together with each customer, so you need Japanese-language support
  • Registration is reviewed by the secretariat; check the current vendor rules on the official site

A website is not a tool

Website design and building a new online shop are generally not covered by the Digitalization & AI Subsidy. For website costs, see Can a subsidy pay for your website?

The programs in detail

New Business & Monozukuri Subsidy

Up to ¥90M

新事業進出・ものづくり商業サービス補助金

Covers new services as well as products. The Innovative track requires machinery or systems; you need a 3–5 year growth plan.

  • System development
  • Servers & equipment
  • Overseas sales (Global track)
Read the guide →

Career-Up Grant

¥800K / person

キャリアアップ助成金

Many IT firms start with contract staff. Converting them to regular staff pays per person, all year round.

  • Contract → regular
  • Part-time → regular
Read the guide →

Digitalization & AI Subsidy

Up to ¥4.5M

デジタル化・AI導入補助金

For tools you use in your own business — and, from the other side, a reason customers buy your tool if you are a registered vendor.

  • Accounting & invoicing
  • HR & attendance
  • Security services
Read the guide →

Tokyo Startup Grant

Up to ¥4M

創業助成事業（東京都）

For businesses planning to start or within 5 years of starting in Tokyo. You must use a designated startup support service first — start about two months before a round.

  • Rent
  • Advertising
  • Equipment
  • Staff salaries
Read the guide →

IT company checklist

  • Your company is registered in Japan and has a gBizID Prime account
  • You know how many regular employees you have, and your industry classification
  • For a new service: a written 3–5 year plan with sales and wage targets
  • For hiring grants: a Career-Up Plan filed before the conversion, and clean attendance and payroll records
  • You will not order or pay before the grant decision

Common mistakes

  • Paying developers before the grant decision. Those costs are not covered.
  • Applying for a website build. It is generally outside the Digitalization & AI Subsidy.
  • Converting staff before filing the Career-Up Plan. The grant is lost for that person.
  • Missing the preparation time. Tokyo's startup grant needs a support service first — start about two months before a round.

FAQ

Can an IT startup in Japan get a subsidy for developing a new service?

Yes. The New Business & Monozukuri Subsidy covers new services as well as products, with a 3–5 year growth plan. The Innovative track requires machinery or systems as part of the project.

How can my software be covered by the Digitalization & AI Subsidy?

Your company needs to be a registered IT vendor and your tool registered as an IT tool. Then your customers can apply together with you and get up to half the cost back.

Is there a startup grant for foreign founders in Tokyo?

The Tokyo Startup Grant covers 2/3 of early costs up to ¥4M for businesses starting or within 5 years of starting in Tokyo. Nationality is not a condition, but you must first use a designated startup support service.

Sources

This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.

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