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PROGRAM · IT & AI

Digitalization & AI Subsidy

デジタル化・AI導入補助金formerly “IT Introduction Subsidy” (IT Dōnyū Hojokin)

Get up to half the cost of accounting, POS, booking and AI software paid back by the Japanese government. Open to small businesses in Japan — including foreign-owned ones.

Updated October 20, 2026 · Checked against the official site by our editors

Maximum

¥4.5M

Standard track, 4+ processes

Subsidy rate

1/2

Up to 2/3 if wage conditions apply

Applications

Rounds

Several deadlines a year — see the official schedule

Who can apply

SMEs

Companies & sole proprietors in Japan

What it is

The Digitalization & AI Subsidy pays back part of what a small business spends on software that makes work faster — accounting, invoicing, sales, inventory, booking, HR and AI tools. It is run by the SME Agency through SMRJ (中小企業基盤整備機構).

You don't apply alone. You apply together with an IT vendor registered for the subsidy (IT導入支援事業者), and only tools registered by that vendor are eligible.

Can foreign-owned businesses apply?

Yes. Eligibility depends on your business, not your nationality. You need:

  • A company or sole proprietorship registered and operating in Japan
  • A size within the SME limits for your industry (capital or number of employees)
  • A gBizID Prime account and a SECURITY ACTION declaration

The real barrier is language

All guidelines, forms and the application “My Page” are in Japanese. Choosing a vendor that can explain the process in English makes the biggest difference.

Application tracks and amounts

TrackForAmountRate
Standard通常枠Software that improves one or more business processes¥50,000–¥4.5M
1–3 processes: under ¥1.5M · 4+: ¥1.5M–¥4.5M		1/2
2/3 with wage condition
Invoiceインボイス枠（インボイス対応類型）Accounting, ordering or payment software for Japan's invoice system, plus hardwareSoftware up to ¥3.5M
PC/tablet ≤ ¥100,000 · register ≤ ¥200,000		3/4 (4/5 for micro)
2/3 above ¥500,000 · hardware 1/2
Electronic transactionsインボイス枠（電子取引類型）Invoice-ready ordering systems for trading partnersSee official site
Securityセキュリティ対策推進枠Cybersecurity services on IPA's official listSee official site

“Wage condition”: a share of your staff were paid close to the regional minimum wage for a set period. The exact test is in each round’s guidelines.

What you can buy

Covered

  • Software purchase, or cloud fees for up to 2 years
  • Add-ons: extra features, data links, security
  • Setup, training, consulting and maintenance
  • PCs, tablets and registers — Invoice track only

Not covered

  • Hardware on its own
  • Tools not registered for the subsidy
  • Anything ordered or paid before the grant decision
  • General-purpose tools only (they must come with a business process)

Before you apply

Same day–1 month

gBizID Prime

GビズIDプライム

The government business login used for most subsidies. Start this first.

2–3 days

SECURITY ACTION

IPA

A free self-declaration (★ or ★★) that you take security seriously.

1–2 weeks

Choose a vendor

IT導入支援事業者

Compare registered vendors and tools, and ask for a quote.

How to apply, step by step

  1. 01

    Read the rules 公募要領

    Check the official guidelines for your track. They change between rounds.

  2. 02

    Get gBizID Prime and SECURITY ACTION GビズIDプライム・SECURITY ACTION

    gBizID Prime: same day online with a My Number Card, up to 1 month by post. SECURITY ACTION (★ or ★★) takes 2–3 days.

  3. 03

    Choose a registered IT vendor and tool IT導入支援事業者・ITツール

    Only tools registered for this subsidy count. Search them on the official “IT tool search”.

  4. 04

    Apply together with the vendor 交付申請

    The vendor invites you to the “My Page”. You enter company details, they enter the tool and plan, then you submit.

  5. 05

    Wait for the grant decision 交付決定

    Do not sign or pay before this date. Costs before the decision are not covered.

  6. 06

    Buy, install, report — then get paid 実績報告

    Pay the full price first. After your report is approved, the subsidy is paid into your account.

Deadlines

Applications are taken in numbered rounds (締切) several times a year. Each round has its own application deadline, grant decision date and deadline to finish and report. Submissions close at the stated time — late ones are not accepted.

Check the current round

Dates and rules change from round to round. See the official schedule and the guidelines for the round you apply to.

Common mistakes

  • Signing or paying too early. Anything before the grant decision is not covered.
  • Starting gBizID too late. Online it can be same-day, but by post it takes up to a month.
  • “Free with the subsidy” offers. Vendors that promise to refund your share are breaking the rules. You may have to return the subsidy.
  • Not planning cash flow. You pay in full first and receive the subsidy months later.

FAQ

Can a foreign-owned company apply for the Digitalization & AI Subsidy?

Yes. The rules are about your business, not your nationality. If your company or sole proprietorship is registered and operating in Japan and meets the SME size limits, you can apply on the same terms as Japanese-owned businesses.

Is this the same as the IT Introduction Subsidy (IT Dōnyū Hojokin)?

Yes. The IT Introduction Subsidy was renamed the Digitalization & AI Subsidy (デジタル化・AI導入補助金) for 2026. Many Japanese sites still use the old name.

Can I buy a laptop or POS register with it?

Only under the Invoice track, and only together with eligible software. PCs and tablets are covered up to ¥100,000 and registers or ticket machines up to ¥200,000, at a 1/2 rate. Hardware alone is not eligible.

When do I receive the money?

After you have paid for and installed the tool and your completion report is approved. You need to cover the full cost up front.

Sources

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

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WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • Accounting & invoicing
  • POS & payments
  • Booking & reservations