FY2026 SME Overseas Expansion Support Subsidy (Overseas IP Application) — Wakayama

①Overview: SME Overseas Expansion Support Subsidy (Overseas IP Application Support) is a Japan METI program partially funding SMEs' overseas filings of patent, utility model, design, or trademark applications. Intermediary (Wakayama Industry Promotion Foundation as a prefectural SME support center) receives METI funds and distributes them as indirect subsidies. This is the Wakayama prefectural intermediary's overseas application support program. ②Eligible applicants: SMEs that: (1) have a pending Japan IP filing (incl. PCT, Hague-designation-includes-Japan international design, Madrid Protocol international trademark); (2) plan to file at a foreign IP office (with Paris-priority claim, or other conditions for trademarks); (3) same applicant name as the Japan-base filing; (4) cooperation with the Japan-domestic patent attorney for paperwork; (5) cooperate with 5-year post-completion status surveys; (6) request examination when required and respond to office actions. Restricted to Wakayama-prefecture SMEs (since the intermediary is a prefectural SME support center). Excluded: ≥1/2 same-large-enterprise shares; ≥2/3 multiple-large-enterprise shares; ≥1/2 large-enterprise directors; ≥JPY 500M capitalized 100% parent; >JPY 1.5B average taxable income; organized-crime affiliated. ③Eligible expenses & benefit content: Necessary foreign IP office filing costs per the implementation guidelines' annex. Japan JPO fees are NOT eligible. Joint application = share-of-burden portion only. Consumption-tax purchase tax credit must be deducted in application. ④Rate, ceiling, schedule, application pointers: Rate 1/2. Caps: JPY 3M per company/year; per application/year — patent JPY 1.5M; utility/design/trademark (excl. anti-piracy) JPY 600K; anti-piracy trademark JPY 300K. Submit Form 1-1/1-2 to intermediary. Electronic filing OK. Selection: foreign-right grant possibility not clearly negated, business plan if granted (or anti-piracy intent), funding capability. Books separate, retain 5 years.