FY2026 Akita Prefecture Regional Profitability Improvement Support Program (Collaboration / 50PLUS Type)

[1] Overview: Akita Prefecture's Regional Profitability Improvement Support Program for FY2026 supports diverse initiatives by SMEs in both manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors to improve profitability as the basis for wage increases. The program has two types: the Regional Collaboration Type, which supports business creation through cooperation among local SMEs and organizations, and the 50PLUS Type, which supports growth of leading regional enterprises (approx. JPY 5 billion+ in sales). Maximum project period is three fiscal years, with separate application, grant decision, and settlement payment each year. [2] Eligible Applicants: Common requirements include having a production/development base or principal office in Akita Prefecture and formulating a five-year business plan achieving 3%+ annual average growth in labor productivity and 2%+ in total wages paid. The Collaboration Type requires a group of approximately 3 or more members including SMEs, social welfare corporations, general incorporated associations/foundations, chambers of commerce/industry, or public-interest corporations. The 50PLUS Type targets SMEs with sales of JPY 1 billion+ in at least one of the past 3 years or 100+ employees. Ineligible: deemed-large enterprises, agriculture/fisheries/finance/hospitals etc., tax delinquents, organized crime affiliates. [3] Eligible Expenses & Subsidy Content: Ten expense categories - honoraria, travel, contracting/outsourcing, advertising, R&D, system usage fees, machinery & system installation, facility improvement, equipment, and other expenses recognized by the governor. Under the Collaboration Type, the combined total of machinery, facility improvement, and equipment costs is capped at 1/2 of total eligible project costs. Expenses must be ordered after the grant decision date and paid within the project period. As a rule, quotations from 2+ providers required (1 OK for items under JPY 100,000), payment by bank transfer. [4] Subsidy Rate, Cap, Schedule, Application Points: Collaboration Type: JPY 5 million/year cap, subsidy rate up to 3/4 (rounded down to thousand yen). 50PLUS Type: JPY 15 million/year cap, subsidy rate up to 1/2. Schedule: pre-consultation April 16-May 29, 2026; application submission May 11-June 19, 2026. No application accepted without pre-consultation. Submission by e-mail to Akita Prefecture Industrial Promotion Division. Two-stage review (document + presentation), adopted within budget. Within 1 month after adoption, file formal grant application. Settlement-style payment per fiscal year.