[Motoyama Town] Small Business Sustainability Subsidy

1) Overview: The Motoyama Town Small Business Sustainability Subsidy is established under the Motoyama Town Subsidy Rules (Rule No.2 of March 31, 1979) and the Motoyama Town Small Enterprise Basic Ordinance (effective April 1, 2025). It supports small business operators who are facing tough conditions due to economic downturn by helping them formulate a management plan and carry out steady sales-channel development and business-efficiency activities for ongoing operation. The ordinance takes effect April 1, 2026. 2) Eligible Applicants: Small enterprises with a shop, office, or factory located within Motoyama Town and that have been in operation for three or more years. The project must be based on a management plan and must be carried out while receiving the support (advice, guidance, financing referral) of the Chamber of Commerce (Shokokai). Adult-entertainment businesses defined in Article 2 of the relevant Japanese law and other activities deemed inappropriate for public support are excluded. 3) Eligible Expenses & Content: Fifteen expense categories are eligible: machinery and equipment, PR, exhibition participation, travel, development, document purchase, miscellaneous labor, rentals, expert fees, expert travel, vehicle purchase, equipment disposal, outsourcing fees, subcontracting fees, and store renovation. Examples include new product display shelves, promotional flyers, mass-media/web ads, online sales systems, exhibitions/trade fairs, new product development, store remodeling, mobile-sales vehicles, warehouse-management software, payroll software, POS systems, and accounting software. Vehicle purchases other than mobile-sales vehicles, and real-estate purchases, are NOT eligible. 4) Subsidy Rate, Cap, Schedule & Tips: Subsidy rate is up to 1/2 of eligible expenses; the cap is JPY 300,000, whichever is lower. Fractions under JPY 1,000 are rounded down. Project period: from the date of grant decision to the end of February of that fiscal year. One application per business per year; ineligible to reapply for three years after use. Applicants must submit Form 1 with management plan (Form 2), project plan (Form 3), financial statements or tax return, proof of no tax arrears, and quotations. Businesses with outstanding town tax or municipal debts will not receive the subsidy.