Suita City SME Boost-Up Subsidy

This subsidy is implemented by Suita City (Osaka Prefecture) using the national Local Revitalization Temporary Grant for price-hike countermeasures from the FY2025 supplementary budget. The purpose is to support SMEs located in Suita City that make capital investments to improve labor productivity, thereby building an environment where SMEs can sustainably raise wages amid rising prices and contributing to regional economic development. Labor productivity is defined as the ratio of output (products/services) to labor input. Pure energy-saving purchases, new business launches, store relocations or expansions, and standalone interior renovation works are not eligible. Eligible applicants are SMEs (including sole proprietors) as defined in Article 2 of the Small and Medium Enterprise Basic Act, whose primary business establishment (registered head office for corporations; declared business location for individuals) is in Suita City, with at least one year of operating history and no municipal-tax arrears or unfiled returns. Excluded are businesses governed by the adult entertainment regulation law (Article 2 Sections 1, 5, 11, 13), parties caught by Osaka's anti-organized-crime ordinance, and de-facto large enterprises (mishakashi-daikigyou). Social-welfare corporations, medical corporations and general/foundation incorporated associations are also excluded. Eligible expenses are: (a) purchase of equipment (including software) used directly for business at the in-city establishment, and (b) ancillary initial-installation costs such as construction work, shipping and initial-setup fees. Equipment with a unit acquisition price below 200,000 yen (excluding tax) and equipment installed outside Suita City are not eligible. General-purpose items prone to off-purpose use (PCs, smartphones, copiers, air conditioners, vehicles, etc.) are excluded. Initial-installation costs are capped at half of the total equipment purchase cost. The subsidy rate is up to two-thirds of eligible expenses with a ceiling of 2,000,000 yen (rounded down to the nearest 1,000 yen), one award per business. Entry sheets are accepted from 24 February 2026 to 31 August 2026 on a first-come basis until budget exhaustion. After entry screening, applicants submit the Grant Application (Form 1); upon receipt of the grant-decision notice they place equipment orders; delivery and payment must finish by 26 February 2027 along with the Completion Report (Form 8); then the Payment Request (Form 10) is submitted and funds are wired within roughly one month.