Shibata City R7 Processed-use Rice Procurement Subsidy (for Food Manufacturers)

(1) Overview: Shibata City (Niigata) operates this subsidy using the Price-Hike Response Regional Revitalization Grant. It reimburses part of the purchase cost of R7-crop processing-use rice (kakouyoumai) for food manufacturers hit by rice price hikes. The eligible procurement period runs Feb 1, 2026 - Sep 30, 2026, and each eligible business may apply only once. The ordinance takes effect Feb 1, 2026 and expires Mar 31, 2027. (2) Eligible applicants: SMEs (as defined in Article 2-1-1 of the Small and Medium Enterprise Basic Act) or sole proprietors whose head office or head-office function is in Shibata City and who operate a food-manufacturing business. Excluded are: businesses planning to suspend/discontinue food manufacturing on the application date; persons with socially unacceptable relations with organized-crime groups under the city's anti-bouryokudan ordinance; and businesses delinquent on city taxes. (3) Eligible expenses & content: Purchase cost (excluding tax) of R7-crop kakouyoumai grown in Japan used for food manufacturing. When buying from outside Shibata City, at least 60 kg of the applied volume must be Shibata-grown; less than one 60 kg unit of Shibata-grown rice in such cases disqualifies the application. Minimum applied volume is 600 kg (10 units of 60 kg). (4) Rate / cap / schedule / tips: Subsidy = (price-hike portion: R7 60 kg tax-excluded price minus R6 60 kg tax-excluded price) x volume x 1/2, rounded down to the nearest 1,000 yen, capped at JPY 2,000,000 per applicant. Application deadline: Aug 20, 2026 (email, mail, or in-person all accepted). Required documents: application form, quotation, R6 delivery slip/receipt, city tax certificate, plus any other document the mayor requests. Performance report due the earlier of 30 days after payment completion or Oct 15, 2026. Orders must be placed only after the grant decision notice (purchases before approval are ineligible). Budget cap may close the program early.