Hokkaido Wage Increase Environment Improvement Subsidy 2026

(1) Overview: The Wage Increase Environment Improvement Subsidy 2026 is a Hokkaido program helping local SMEs hit by high energy prices build a basis for wage hikes via new business, new product/service development, and capital investment (incl. digital) for sales and productivity gains. Operated by the consortium led by Hokkaido SME Comprehensive Support Center. (2) Applicants: SMEs with HQ (residence for sole proprietors) in Hokkaido meeting SME Basic Act thresholds — Mfg/Construction/Transport ≤300M yen or ≤300 staff; Wholesale 100M/100; Services 50M/100; Retail 50M/50. Business cooperatives and NPOs (≤300 staff) included. Excluded: deemed-large firms, adult entertainment, organized-crime affiliates, social welfare/medical/school/religious corporations, LLPs, chambers of commerce, agri cooperatives, zero-employee applicants. Partnership-Building Declaration registration mandatory. (3) Eligible expenses: New business/industry transformation, new product/service development, new production/sales methods, raw-material cost cuts, productivity investment. 12 categories: machinery, cloud, lease, PR, exhibitions, development, specialists, consignment, outsourcing, training, misc labor, transport. Excluded: PCs/phones/general vehicles, rent, communication, consumption tax, in-house personnel, consumables. Items >100K yen need two quotes. (4) Rate/ceiling/schedule: Standard (raise >0%) 1/2 rate, 2M yen cap; Promotion (≥4.0%) 3/4 rate, 3M yen cap. Applications 2026-05-15 to 2026-09-30 (postmark); early close possible. Window: grant date to 2027-01-08; expenses from 2026-02-20 eligible. Apply online (https://chinage-support2026-hokkaido.jp/) or registered mail. One application per entity.