Find my subsidy

PROGRAM · MARKETING

Small Business Sustainability Subsidy

小規模事業者持続化補助金（一般型・通常枠）“Jizokuka Hojokin” — for very small businesses

Get two-thirds of the cost of flyers, a new website, shop renovation and other ways to win new customers paid back. Built for very small businesses — the kind many foreign founders run.

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

Maximum

¥500K

Up to ¥2.5M with both special conditions

Subsidy rate

2/3

3/4 for loss-making firms using the wage condition

Applications

Rounds

A few rounds a year

Who can apply

Small teams

≤5 staff in commerce & services, ≤20 in others

What it is

The Sustainability Subsidy helps very small businesses pay for new ways to find customers. You write a short business plan, your local chamber reviews it, and if your application is selected you get back two-thirds of the cost.

It is competitive. In the 19th round (deadline April 30, 2026), 16,576 businesses applied and 7,819 were selected — a little under half.

Can foreign-owned businesses apply?

Yes. What matters is the size and location of your business, not your nationality:

IndustryStaff limit
Commerce & services商業・サービス業（宿泊・娯楽業除く）5 or fewer regular employees
Hotels & entertainment宿泊業・娯楽業20 or fewer regular employees
Manufacturing & others製造業その他20 or fewer regular employees
  • Your business is registered and operating in Japan
  • You are not 100% owned by a company with capital of ¥500M or more
  • Average taxable income over the last 3 years is not above ¥1.5B
  • Chamber membership is not required

Your local chamber is part of the process

Every applicant needs a support letter (事業支援計画書・様式4) from the local Society of Commerce and Industry (商工会) or Chamber of Commerce (商工会議所) that covers your address. They can also give advice on your plan — in Japanese.

How much you can get

OptionMaximumRate
Base¥500,0002/3
+ Invoice specialインボイス特例¥1,000,000 (+¥500,000)2/3
+ Wage-increase special賃金引上げ特例¥2,000,000 (+¥1.5M)2/3
3/4 if loss-making
Both specials¥2,500,000 (+¥2M)2/3
3/4 if loss-making

Special conditions must still be met when the project ends. If they are not, the subsidy is not paid.

What you can spend it on

Covered (examples)

  • Advertising: flyers, posters, ads
  • Website and online sales — up to 1/4 of the subsidy
  • Shop renovation and equipment for new sales
  • Trade shows, sales trips, new product development
  • Outsourcing and rent needed for the project

Not covered

  • A plan that is only a website
  • General-purpose items such as PCs and cars
  • Everyday running costs and salaries
  • Anything ordered or paid before the grant decision

Expense rules are detailed in the official guidelines for each round. Always check the current version.

Before you apply

Same day–1 month

gBizID Prime

GビズIDプライム

Needed for the online application. Start this first.

1–3 weeks

Business plan

経営計画書・補助事業計画書

Who your customers are, what you will do, and what it will cost — in Japanese.

Weeks before

Support letter

事業支援計画書（様式4）

Ask your local chamber early. They need time to review your plan.

How to apply, step by step

  1. 01

    Find your local chamber 商工会・商工会議所

    Which office handles you depends on your business address. The two have separate application offices.

  2. 02

    Get gBizID Prime GビズIDプライム

    Same day online with a My Number Card, or up to 1 month by post. See our gBizID guide.

  3. 03

    Write your plan in the online system 電子申請

    Enter your business plan and project plan, and attach documents for any special conditions.

  4. 04

    Get the support letter 様式4

    Ask the chamber to issue Form 4. The request deadline is earlier than the application deadline.

  5. 05

    Submit before the deadline 申請受付締切

    Each round closes at a fixed time. Submit early.

  6. 06

    If selected: buy, report, get paid 採択・実績報告

    Results come a few months later. Only spend after the grant decision, then report and receive the subsidy.

Deadlines

The subsidy runs in numbered rounds (公募回), usually a few a year. Each round has an opening date, a deadline to request the support letter (Form 4) from your local chamber, and an application deadline.

Check the current round

Society of Commerce and Industry (商工会) areas: official site. Chamber of Commerce (商工会議所) areas have their own office — check their site for the same round.

Common mistakes

  • Asking for the support letter at the last minute. Chambers get busy before the deadline.
  • A website-only plan. Website costs are capped at 1/4 of the subsidy and cannot be the whole plan.
  • Buying before the grant decision. Those costs are not covered.
  • Applying again too soon. Past recipients must finish their follow-up report and wait before applying again.

FAQ

Can a foreign-owned small business apply for the Sustainability Subsidy?

Yes. Nationality is not a condition. Your business must be operating in Japan and within the staff limits: 5 or fewer regular employees in commerce and services, 20 or fewer in hotels, entertainment, manufacturing and other industries.

Do I apply to the Shokokai or the Shoko Kaigisho?

It depends on your business address. Each area is covered by either a Society of Commerce and Industry (商工会) or a Chamber of Commerce (商工会議所), and each has its own application office. You do not need to be a member.

Can I use it to build a website?

Yes, but website costs are limited to 1/4 of the subsidy, and a plan made only of website costs is not accepted. Combine it with other sales activities such as flyers or shop improvements.

Can I apply in English?

No. The plan and the online system are in Japanese. Many applicants get help from their local chamber or a certified advisor.

Sources

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

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