#Japan #Tokyo #Trade Shows #Tokyo SMEs #Exhibition Grants

Support for Small and Medium Enterprises in Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in collaboration with the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center, is excited to announce the initiation of the "Exhibition Support Program" for the fiscal year 2023-2024. This initiative is part of the "Aim for Enhanced Management Skills for SMEs Advance Plus Project." Through seminars and business matching events, this program not only supports SMEs in strengthening their management foundations but also helps them promote their products effectively.

Overview of the Exhibition Support Program

The primary goal of this program is to alleviate some costs associated with participating in trade shows, thereby facilitating marketing development for small and medium-sized businesses in Tokyo.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for support, applicants must meet the following conditions:
1. Target Applicants: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Tokyo that fulfill criteria (i) and (ii):
- They must have undergone an evaluation through the “SME Vitalization Project Advance Plus" and have been deemed eligible for utilizing this grant.
- Additionally, they must qualify under one or more of the following conditions:
Condition A: Experiencing decreased sales (compared to the previous fiscal year).
Condition B: Reporting a financial loss in the recent fiscal year.
Condition C: Receiving support through the “SME Vitalization Project Advance Plus” for either the fiscal year 2022 or 2023 and obtaining the relevant certification.

Support Details

• - Eligible Expenses: Grant funds can be allocated towards costs related to the following:

Exhibition Participation Fees: including booth rental, materials costs, transportation, and initial registration fees for e-commerce platforms.
Promotional Expenses: like production costs for printed materials, video creation, advertising placement, and website development or renovation.
Note: Applicants seeking funding solely for materials or transport costs for exhibitions, or for promotional expenses, must consult the specific guidelines to ensure eligibility.

• - Maximum Grant Amount: Up to 1.5 million yen.
• - Grant Rate: Up to two-thirds of the eligible expenses can be covered.
• - Funding Period: The support will be available for 13 months, starting from the date of grant approval.

Application Period

The application will be open from April 1, 2024, to January 14, 2025. There will be ten submission cycles within this period.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the national electronic application system, “J-Grant.” To access J-Grant, applicants are required to have a G Biz ID Prime account.

Additional Information

For comprehensive details, please consult the application guidelines available on the municipal public corporation's website. The documents, including the application form, can be downloaded directly from
Tokyo SMEs Support Page.

Note: This initiative will be confirmed only if the fiscal budget for the year is approved by the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly by March 31, 2024.

Contact Information

• - General Inquiries: Tokyo Industrial and Labor Bureau, Business Support Division, Phone: 03-5320-4726
• - Grant Inquiries: (Public Corporation) Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center, Grant Division, Phone: 03-3251-7895