#Japan #Tokyo #Equipment Investment #Support Program #Tokyo SMEs

Tokyo’s Equipment Investment Support Program

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in collaboration with the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center, has started the recruitment for the 13th round of its Equipment Investment Support Program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This program, which has been running since the 2021 fiscal year, aims to assist businesses within Tokyo to enhance their competitive edge and productivity through the introduction of new machinery and software.

Program Overview

The program offers financial support to SMEs looking to improve the quality of their products and services or expand their production capacity. It helps cover a portion of the costs associated with the acquisition of necessary machinery and equipment.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for assistance, businesses must meet the following conditions:

• - Location: Must be officially registered with a headquarters or branch in Tokyo or operate in Tokyo for individuals.
• - Business Duration: Should have been in operation for at least two years as of July 1, 2023.
• - Eligible Industries: All industries are invited to apply.

Types of Projects Supported

Applications are invited in three main areas:
1. Competitiveness Enhancement: Projects that involve the acquisition of machinery to boost competitiveness.
2. Successor Challenges: Initiatives aimed at business diversification and addressing new management challenges during succession.
3. Promotion of Upgrades: Projects focused on obtaining machinery essential for competitiveness and productivity improvement to become central growth drivers in the regional economy.

Financial Details

The period for grant eligibility lasts from one month after the decision on funding, extending for a total of 18 months. Specific costs eligible for assistance include expenditures related to the purchase of machinery, equipment, and software.

Eligible locations for equipment installation include not just Tokyo but also neighboring prefectures—Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, and Yamanashi—under the condition that the main office is located in Tokyo.

Key Dates for Applications

• - Application Period: From July 14, 2023, to July 23, 2023, at 5 PM. Applications will be accepted via the government’s electronic submission system, J-Grant.
• - Information Sessions: There will be explanatory sessions and individual consultations held online and in-person in Akihabara and Hachioji on June 19, 2023, and July 3, 2023, respectively.

Looking Ahead

Future schedules include:

• - The 14th round of the program will see applications open from November 11 to 24, with a two-stage evaluation process leading to the final decision in March 2024.

For those interested, past selected cases can be viewed on the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center's website, providing valuable insights into successful applications.

Contact Information

For further inquiries regarding the program, please contact the following:

• - General Program Questions: Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, Commerce and Industry Division, Startup Support Section, Phone: 03-5320-4694.
• - Application Inquiries: (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center, Equipment Support Section, Phone: 03-3251-7884.

This initiative contributes to the '2050 Tokyo Strategy' aimed at supporting and promoting the growth of SMEs in the region.