Tamba City IT-Related Business Office Promotion Support Subsidy

① Program overview: This subsidy is granted by Tamba City (Hyogo Prefecture) to operators opening IT-related business offices within the city that possess innovative ideas and advanced IT technology, in coordination with the Hyogo Innovation Hub Opening Support Program run by Hyogo Prefecture. It is governed by the Tamba City IT-Related Business Office Promotion Support Subsidy Grant Outline (Notice No. 435 of May 19, 2022, with subsequent amendments through 2025). Designation as a target office by the Mayor is required before applying. ② Eligible applicants: Operators who open an IT-related business office with the necessary ancillary equipment in Tamba City, and who either (1) have a business plan of at least three years (including a growth-oriented plan using advanced IT technology), or (2) have experience, achievements, knowledge or abilities in businesses using innovative ideas and advanced IT technology. Applicants in arrears on municipal taxes at the time of application are excluded. Prior certification by Hyogo Prefecture is also required. ③ Eligible expenses and content: Three expense categories are covered — leasing fees for the business office, building renovation costs for the office, and acquisition costs of office equipment necessary for operations. Consumption tax and equivalents, and leasing/renovation costs for city-owned property, are excluded. Subsidy amount equals eligible costs × subsidy rate, with amounts under 1,000 yen rounded down. ④ Rate, ceiling and schedule: Standard subsidy rate is 1/4 of eligible costs. For depopulated-area offices, the rate is one-half of (3/4 × cost). Caps are 300,000 yen/year for leasing (450,000 yen in depopulated areas); 500,000 yen one-time for building renovation (1,000,000 yen for vacant houses/shops; 1,000,000 / 1,500,000 yen in depopulated areas); 250,000 yen for office equipment. Applications are filed before project start in the first year, or by April 30 in subsequent years. Completion reports are due within 30 days of completion. Beneficiaries must continue operations for 3 years and retain accounting records for 5 years.