Kudamatsu City Monozukuri Joshi Challenge Support Grant

(1) Overview: The Kudamatsu City Monozukuri Joshi Challenge Support Grant is a city-funded program operated by the Industrial Promotion Division of Kudamatsu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, designed to secure workforce for local manufacturing industries, promote women's participation, and encourage U/I-turn migration. It provides up to JPY 500,000 per person to women who newly take up employment with a certified Kudamatsu Monozukuri Joshi Employment Promotion Enterprise and engage in manufacturing-related work. Application period: April 2 2025 to March 30 2029, ending once budget is exhausted. (2) Eligibility: Women (including persons with disabilities) who, at the time of application, (i) have been newly hired since April 1 2024 under an indefinite-term employment contract of 30+ hours/week (20+ hours for persons with disabilities) and are insured under employment insurance, (ii) have lived in Kudamatsu for 1+ year after starting employment, (iii) intend to continue working for the same employer and residing in Kudamatsu for 5+ years from the application date, and (iv) were newly hired (not transferred, seconded, dispatched, or in training). Manufacturing-related work is defined by Japan Standard Occupational Classification subclass 071-089 and 491-592. (3) Eligible expenses / Benefits: This is not a cost-reimbursement scheme but a lump-sum grant paid directly to the employee. JPY 100,000 base per newly hired woman, plus JPY 200,000 for new graduates (first employment within 3 years of graduation), plus JPY 200,000 for U/I-turn applicants (lived outside Yamaguchi 1+ year, then moved to Kudamatsu with resident registration transferred). Both add-ons may be combined, for a maximum of JPY 500,000. (4) Rate / Cap / Schedule / Tips: Fixed-amount grant, max JPY 500,000, no subsidy rate. Apply within 90 days following the day one year after the later of the employment start date or Kudamatsu residency start date. Submit by mail or in person to Kudamatsu Industrial Promotion Division (744-8585, 3-3-3 Otemachi). Required forms: Form 1 (Grant Application & Claim), Form 2 (Employment Certificate), Form 3 (Refund Request). Attach copy of resident certificate, employment contract, employment-insurance qualification notice, and (if applicable) graduation certificate, proof of out-of-prefecture residence, or disability certificate. One application per person; false declarations or leaving Kudamatsu/the job within 5 years triggers full or half refund obligation.