Grants & subsidies

Japan has real public money for startups. It is spread across the city government, national agencies, and flagship programs, so the trick is matching the right one to your stage.

Start here: Tokyo Metropolitan programs

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government runs subsidies that go from entry-level support up to large deep-tech and green-transition grants. The entry-level rounds are the most realistic first target for a young company. Watch the deadlines, they run on fixed application windows.

National deep-tech funding: NEDO

If you are building in quantum, AI, robotics, semiconductors, or biotech, NEDO runs a large multi-year deep-tech program. It generally requires a Japanese entity and an R&D base in Japan.

The flagship: J-Startup

J-Startup is METI’s selective program. It is less a cash grant and more access: mentorship, regulatory help, investor introductions, and a spot at international events. Being selected is a strong signal.

How to approach it

Amounts, eligibility, and deadlines change every fiscal year (the Japanese fiscal year starts in April, and many calls open around December to January). Always confirm the current round on the official pages above before you build a plan around a number.