Digitalization & AI Adoption Subsidy 2026 — Multi-Party Cooperative Digitalization & AI Adoption Frame (1st Deadline)

This subsidy supports groups of multiple SMEs and small-scale operators in commercial districts or supply chains that jointly introduce IT tools (including AI software, options, services, hardware) to improve productivity. Compared to the regular frame, subsidy rates are raised to incentivise multi-party deployment, and coordination costs plus external-expert advisory fees are also covered. The secretariat (TOPPAN Corp.) runs the public solicitation on behalf of SMRJ. Eligible projects include invoice-system adoption, cross-industry data linkage, B2B settlement digitalization, area-wide cashless payment, demand forecasting via POS/AI cameras, and regional problem-solving initiatives. Eligible applicants must form a Subsidy Project Group of ten or more constituent members. The Representative Business must be either an SME/small-scale operator or a recognized commerce-district organization (shopping-street co-op, chamber of commerce, etc.), incorporated and operating in Japan with its head office and project site domestically, holding a GBizID Prime account, and having declared SECURITY ACTION One-Star or Two-Star. Participating businesses must be SMEs/small-scale operators using IT tools supplied by registered IT providers. Excluded are adult-entertainment businesses, religious organizations, unincorporated voluntary groups, and entities sanctioned under labor laws within the past year. Eligible expenses fall into three categories: (1) base introduction costs (invoice-compatible accounting/order/payment software and supporting hardware), (2) consumer-trend analysis costs (demand-forecasting, electronic local currency, AI cameras, beacons, digital signage, etc.), and (3) other costs (group-coordination admin fees and external-expert honoraria/travel). Cloud subscription fees are subsidisable for up to two years. Expenses for orders, contracts, or payments made before the grant decision are ineligible, as are used goods, lease/rental, no-charge offerings, metered-billing services, and version-up costs. Subsidy rates: 3/4 for the first 500,000 yen of base introduction costs (4/5 for small-scale operators), 2/3 for the portion above 500,000 yen, for consumer-trend analysis costs, and for other costs. Maximum amounts: 30 million yen combined for (1)+(2); hardware caps at 100,000 yen (PC/tablet etc.) or 200,000 yen (POS/ticket machines); other costs cap at 2 million yen. Applicants must commit to a two-year business plan achieving labor-productivity annual growth of at least 5% (6% if past IT subsidy beneficiaries are in the group). Applications open 30 March 2026; implementation runs approximately six months from grant decision, submitted via the My-Page portal by the Representative Business.