[FY R8 Founding Capital Applicants] Nagato City Founding Support Subsidy

①Overview: Nagato City (Yamaguchi Prefecture) operates the 'Nagato City Founding Support Subsidy' to revitalize the local economy by subsidizing part of the cost of starting a new business in the city. The program features tiered support depending on the founder's status (resident vs. inbound migrant) and location (general vs. designated revitalization zones). Pre-application is required; expenses paid before the grant decision are not eligible. ②Eligible Applicants: Individuals or corporations establishing a business in Nagato. Individuals must either be registered in the city's Basic Resident Register on the application date or be inbound migrants. Applicants must complete the 'Nagato Founders College' (the designated certified founding-support training) by the achievement-report date (excluding second-time founders), must not have founded the business more than 2 years prior to application, must hold relevant licenses, must intend to continue the business at this location for at least 3 years, must not be an organization receiving operational subsidies from the city or whose primary business is municipal facility management, must not be a religious/political organization or have ties to anti-social forces, must obtain a business loan from a financial institution by the achievement-report date, and must have no overdue municipal taxes. 'Inbound migrants' are those not registered in Nagato's resident register during the 3 years before transfer and within 2 years of moving in. 'Designated zones' refers to specific areas around the Nagato Station north-south region, Senzaki, and Tawarayama. Excluded sectors: agriculture/forestry/fisheries/mining/non-store retail/adult entertainment. ③Eligible Expenses & Content: Rental/lease of store premises, renovation, equipment and signage, IP-related expenses, outsourcing, consignment, marketing research, channel-development, equipment purchases, PR/advertising, personnel costs, HR development, and other expenses specifically deemed necessary by the mayor. Expenses paid before the grant decision are excluded. General-purpose items that cannot be specifically identified as necessary, items contrary to the program's purpose, and items deemed socially inappropriate are excluded. Inbound migrants already receiving Nagato's Migration Support Grant for founding cannot also claim the migrant track here. ④Subsidy Rate, Cap, Schedule, and Application Tips: Caps and rates: store rental/renovation/equipment/signage capped at ¥1,000,000 (1/3); for inbound migrants, IP/outsourcing/marketing/channel/equipment/PR capped at ¥1,500,000 (1/2); for founders in designated zones, the same categories capped at ¥3,000,000 (1/2); for inbound migrants founding in designated zones, personnel/HR-development/other expenses capped at ¥3,500,000 (1/2). Eligible period: from grant decision through project end or 31 March, whichever is earlier. Application deadline: 26 February 2027 (Friday).