FY2026 Oita Prefecture Processed Foods and Traditional Crafts Overseas Expansion Support Subsidy

1. Program overview: This FY2026 Oita Prefecture subsidy supports overseas market development by prefectural SMEs handling processed foods made with Oita products or traditional crafts produced in the prefecture. Eligible activities include participation in overseas trade fairs, exhibitions and business meetings, market research, promotion activities, invitation of overseas buyers, product improvement for export, and creation of promotional tools for overseas markets. The program aims to expand export opportunities and contribute to the regional economy, and FY2026 adds prefectural traditional crafts to the supported products. 2. Eligible applicants: The implementing body must be a prefectural SME that manufactures or sells eligible processed foods or traditional crafts. A prefectural SME is an SME under the SME Support Act that has its head office in Oita Prefecture. Processed foods must either use prefectural products as main raw materials or be manufactured or processed in the prefecture. Eligible traditional crafts include nationally designated traditional crafts in Oita, products made using craft techniques designated as important intangible cultural property, and other locally established traditional crafts recognized as appropriate after considering municipal support records. 3. Eligible expenses and support content: Eligible expenses are honoraria, travel expenses, supplies, service charges, outsourcing fees, usage fees, and rental fees, excluding consumption tax, local consumption tax, and overseas VAT. Examples include booth fees, interpreting, travel, consulting and market research outsourcing, event participation fees, sample shipping, overseas buyer travel and honoraria, venue rental, package design, ingredient analysis, label printing, and promotional video production. Sample purchase costs, bank transfer fees, green-car rail charges, and business-class airfare are not eligible. 4. Rate, cap, schedule, and application points: The subsidy rate is up to one half, with a maximum of 300,000 yen, and awards are rounded down to the nearest thousand yen. The application period runs from the public call opening until the budget is exhausted, so no fixed application deadline is stated. However, only projects that can submit the final report by February 10, 2027 are eligible. Applicants first complete the hearing form, then after prefectural confirmation submit one original set of the implementation plan application, business plan, budget, pledge, and supporting materials by email or post.