Nagano SME Overseas Sales Channel Development Subsidy

(1) Overview: Nagano Prefecture provides this subsidy to support SMEs based in the prefecture in expanding into overseas markets, by subsidising part of the costs of exhibiting at overseas trade shows, fairs, business meetings and receptions (online events included). Funded via the national priority-support local allocation grant, total budget is 20,000,000 JPY and applications are processed on a first-come basis until exhausted. (2) Eligible applicants: SMEs (corporations or individuals) and SME cooperatives/associations whose main place of business is located in Nagano Prefecture, and which operate in manufacturing or software industries as defined by Article 2(1)(i) of the Small and Medium Enterprise Basic Act. Deemed large enterprises (where a large company holds 1/2 or more of issued shares, etc.) are excluded. Only one award per applicant per fiscal year; repeat applications for the same exhibition are capped at three times from March 2026 onward. (3) Eligible expenses: Booth fees, decoration fees, interpreter fees, printing costs (translation capped at 100,000 JPY, distribution items capped at 150,000 JPY), foreign-language PR video production, shipping, travel (economy-class airfare in principle, fuel surcharge, airport fees, departure tax, insurance, domestic rail to airport; international tourist tax excluded), lodging (one person, capped per national civil-servant travel regulation level 10), and trade-expert fees (capped at 1,000,000 JPY). Only overseas exhibitions qualify; events targeting end-consumer sales or already receiving other domestic public subsidies are excluded. (4) Rate, ceiling, schedule, key points: Subsidy rate is up to 2/3 of eligible expenses (ex-tax), max 1,000,000 JPY (rounded down to nearest 1,000 JPY). Application window is 2 March 2026 (Mon) to 25 December 2026 (Fri) 17:00, must arrive by deadline. Target exhibitions are those held from 2 March 2026 to 31 January 2027. Costs incurred before grant approval are excluded unless a prior-commencement notice (Form 2) is submitted; commitments from the notice date (earliest 1 March 2026) onward then qualify. Submit Form 1 business plan plus company registry, brochure, event outline and expert profile to chusho@pref.nagano.lg.jp.