Otaru City Energy-Saving Diagnosis Subsidy

1) Overview: The Otaru City Energy-Saving Diagnosis Subsidy supports businesses in Otaru City, Hokkaido that receive energy-saving ("shoene") diagnosis and accompanying support services from designated diagnostic institutions, in order to advance the City's Zero-Carbon City vision and optimize energy use at local establishments. The scheme operates under the Otaru City Subsidy Grant Rules and the dedicated 2025 program guidelines (Youkou). 2) Eligible applicants: Any business operator (a corporation, other organization or individual proprietor) running an establishment within Otaru City may apply, provided that (a) the same establishment has not previously received this subsidy for the same diagnosis content, (b) the operator has no unpaid Otaru City taxes, and (c) the operator is not an organized-crime group, an organized-crime member, or a business associated with such groups under the Otaru City anti-violence ordinance. Eligible facilities include factories, warehouses, offices, hospitals, welfare facilities, lodging facilities and office buildings located in Otaru City. 3) Eligible expenses and contents: The eligible project must be an energy-saving diagnosis carried out at a facility in Otaru City by one of three categories of institution: the Energy Conservation Center Japan (ECCJ) optimization/step-up diagnosis, the SII energy-saving diagnosis or accompanying support, or a partner support institution under METI's Energy-Saving Regional Partnership scheme. The eligible cost is the diagnosis fee paid by the applicant to the diagnostic institution. Consumption tax, local consumption tax, stamp tax and bank transfer fees are excluded. Where a single operator conducts diagnoses at multiple establishments, the combined diagnosis fees may be aggregated. 4) Rate, ceiling, schedule and key points: The subsidy covers the full eligible cost (effectively a 100% rate), capped at JPY 50,000 per business operator. Applications are accepted from 15 April 2025 (Wed) to 26 February 2027 (Fri) on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget is exhausted. Applicants submit Form 1 (Application), Form 2 (Pledge & Consent) and a copy of the diagnosis booking confirmation to the Environment Section. After the diagnosis, a Form 6 results report must be filed within 30 days of receiving the diagnosis report or by the end of the fiscal year, whichever is earlier.