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Supporting Young Female Entrepreneurs in Tokyo

In an exciting initiative to boost the economy and foster entrepreneurship within the local communities, Tokyo has announced the opening of its annual support programs for young and female entrepreneurs. This year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in collaboration with the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation, is inviting applications for two significant assistance programs: the "Young and Female Leaders Support Program" and the "Merchants' Entrepreneurship and Succession Support Program." These programs aim to identify and support potential successors and entrepreneurs in shopping districts across Tokyo.

Program Overview

Young and Female Leaders Support Program

This program focuses on providing financial assistance to women and young men under the age of 39 (as of March 31 of the following year) who are looking to start new businesses or expand existing ones. The eligible categories include:
1. Individuals wishing to start a new business.
2. Those planning to open a second store in the same industry.
3. Business owners looking to relocate to different shopping districts within Tokyo (excluding transfers from other districts).

Eligible Expenses and Funding Details

The financial aid covers a range of expenses essential for starting a business:

• - Business Location Setup Costs:

- Store renovation or construction: Costs incurred to renovate or construct a store in a shopping district.
- Equipment and furnishing costs: Expenses for purchasing necessary equipment and furnishings for the store.
- Promotion and advertising: Costs for website construction, flyer creation, etc. (with a maximum eligible expense limit of ¥1.5 million).
- Funding rate: up to 75% of the eligible expenses, with a maximum total support of ¥4 million.

• - Store Rental Fees:

- Rent for new stores essential for implementing the support business.
- Funding rate: up to 75%, with limits set at ¥150,000 for the first year, ¥120,000 for the second year, and ¥100,000 for the third year.

Overall, the maximum funding cap under this program is set at ¥8.44 million.

Merchants' Entrepreneurship and Succession Support Program

This program is designed for:
1. Individuals wishing to open a new business.
2. Those looking to start a business in a different industry (diversification).
3. Existing business owners aiming to renovate their stores through succession.
4. Entrepreneurs interested in opening a second store within the same industry.
5. Those wanting to relocate to different shopping districts within Tokyo.

Eligible Expenses and Funding Details

Similar to the first program, this program also covers specific expenses:

• - Business Location Setup Costs:

- Renovation or construction of a store resembling the applicable criteria laid out above.
- Equipment and furnishing costs as previously mentioned.
- Advertisement and promotion costs (with a maximum eligible expense limit of ¥1 million).
Funding rate: up to 66.67% of eligible expenses, with a maximum funding of ¥2.5 million.

• - Rental Fees for the Store:

Funding rates are set similarly to the previous program, with limits for rent set at ¥150,000 for the first year, ¥120,000 for the second year, and ¥100,000 for the third year.

The total maximum funding for this support program is capped at ¥6.94 million.

Common Aspects and Application Schedule

The support period for both programs is one year from the date of funding notification (with rental support extending up to three years). Furthermore, after opening a business, recipients can consult with specialized professionals like small enterprise consultants for additional guidance.

The application for both programs follows a standardized schedule:

• - First Round:

- Application submission (April 23 to May 14)
- Document review (mid-June)
- Interview review (late July)
- Announcement of selected beneficiaries (September 1)

• - Second Round:

- Application submission (July 10 to July 31)
- Document review (mid-September)
- Interview review (late October)
- Announcement of selected beneficiaries (December 1)

• - Third Round:

- Application submission (October 9 to October 30)
- Document review (early December)
- Interview review (mid-January)
- Announcement of selected beneficiaries (March 1)

Applications will primarily be accepted through J-Grant, an online platform provided by the national government. In the event of technical difficulties, applicants can refer to the official website for further instructions on postal applications. Direct submissions via hand, fax, or email are not allowed, and all applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the last day of the application period.

For more details on eligibility criteria, application forms, and deadlines, visit the official website: Tokyo Young and Female Leaders Support Program.

Contact Information

For inquiries about the program, please contact:

• - For program-related questions: Tokyo Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, Commerce Division at 03-5320-4787.
• - For assistance funding inquiries: Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation Grant Division at 03-3251-7926.