Shimizu Town Business Operator Price Hike Support Benefit

(1) Overview: Shimizu Town in Shizuoka Prefecture provides a flat 50,000 JPY benefit per business operator (one application per operator) to support businesses affected by rising prices, where utility costs, fuel costs, or cost-of-sales ratio have increased above a defined threshold. Applications are processed by the Shimizu Town Chamber of Commerce by mail, in person, or via online form. (2) Eligible recipients: Businesses with a head office or place of business located in Shimizu Town that intend to continue operating in the town (new businesses must have been established by December 31, 2025). Excluded: sole proprietors whose store is outside the town, public corporations under Corporate Tax Act Schedule 1, adult entertainment businesses, political/religious organizations, and businesses exceeding the SME definition under Article 2(1) of the Small and Medium Enterprise Basic Act. (3) Subsidized expenses / content: One of the following must apply. (i) For businesses founded by 2024: any single month of 2025 has utility cost increase ≥5% year-on-year, fuel cost increase ≥5% YoY, or cost-of-sales ratio increase ≥3 percentage points YoY. (ii) For businesses founded in 2025: any post-founding month through March 2026 shows utility/fuel cost increase ≥1% or cost-of-sales ratio increase ≥1 percentage point compared to a chosen baseline month. Cost ratio = COGS ÷ Sales × 100. (4) Rate / ceiling / schedule / application tips: Flat 50,000 JPY benefit, one application per operator. Application period: April 1 to June 30, 2026 (postmark valid). Apply electronically via the Chamber of Commerce website or mail required documents. Required documents include Form No.1 (application), Form No.2 (pledge & tax-payment-status consent), bank passbook copy, comparison evidence for the cost increase (receipts, passbook copies, credit-card statements), most recent tax return (corporations: blue-form schedule 1, financial statements; sole proprietors: blue/white form full set), and for 2025-founded businesses also a corporate registry certificate or business-start notification. In-person consultations are by appointment only. Contact: Shimizu Town Chamber of Commerce, TEL 055-975-6987.