Productivity Improvement Support Subsidy for SMEs Facing Soaring Prices (General / DX Enhancement)

This subsidy is operated by the Kitakyushu Foundation for Industry, Science and Technology (KTC) and supports productivity-improvement initiatives by SMEs in Kitakyushu City struggling under soaring prices. Two tracks are offered: a General Track and a DX Enhancement Track. Public solicitation opens 30 April 2026 and closes when budget is exhausted. Eligible applicants are SMEs (including sole proprietors) defined under the SME Basic Act, headquartered or operating in Kitakyushu City, intending to continue operations, with kabushiki-kaisha not majority-owned by non-SMEs, not delinquent on city taxes, and unrelated to organised crime. The General Track additionally requires that gross profit during any consecutive 3 months from April 2024 onward has fallen at least 10% versus the same period from April 2022 onward. Eligible expenses span energy-saving capital investment, efficiency / high-margin operations, new product / service development, sales expansion and management improvement, and human-resource acquisition and training (machinery, facility renovation, system introduction, surveys, guidance, marketing, R&D materials, technical guidance, commissioning, advertising, sales agency, IP rights, fixed costs, HR development, etc.). Procurement from in-city vendors is the rule. Subsidy rate is up to one-half of eligible expenses. Cap: 1,000,000 JPY (General) or 2,000,000 JPY (DX Enhancement); floor 300,000 JPY. General Track receives applications 30 April – 4 December 2026; DX Enhancement Track 30 April – 29 May 2026 (17:00). All projects must complete (with payments settled) by 7 January 2027; the performance report is due within 20 days of completion or by that same date, whichever is earlier. One application per business; submission via web, email or post to the Kano Planning Co. secretariat.