Towada City Furusato Local Product Development Subsidy (FY2026 / Reiwa 8)

①Overview: This subsidy program of Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, based on the FY2026 (Reiwa 8) Towada City Furusato Local Product Development Subsidy Ordinance, promotes the development, improvement, sales, manufacturing-efficiency upgrade, and mass-production of "furusato products" (goods meeting MIC Notification No.179 of 2019 Article 5 criteria) within the city, in order to revitalize related local industries. The grant is provided within budget limits, once per applicant per year, and the ordinance took effect on April 9, 2026. ②Eligible applicants: Individuals, corporations, and organizations operating within Towada City that satisfy ALL of the following: (1) have an address or business office in the city; (2) can complete the project within FY2026; (3) demonstrate ongoing future activity; (4) can attend expert consultation sessions held by the city/prefecture; (5) can attend the city's product unveiling event; (6) (groups) have articles and a decision-making body; (7) have no overdue municipal taxes. ③Eligible expenses & content: Two courses are offered. The Furusato Product Development Course covers trial production & analysis, package design, website creation, promotional materials, marketing research, and inviting outside experts. The Furusato Product Improvement Course covers machinery/equipment introduction. Eligible cost items include honoraria, travel, consumables, outsourcing, postage, advertising, fees, rentals, raw materials, and equipment-introduction costs incurred after the grant-approval date. ④Rate/cap/schedule/application: Development Course = 1/2 of eligible cost, capped at ¥400,000; Improvement Course = 2/3 of eligible cost, capped at ¥1,000,000. The performance report (Form 5) must be submitted within 30 days of project completion or by March 31, 2027, whichever is earlier. Application Form 1 must include resident certificate / corporate registration, tax-clearance certificate, product image, cost estimates, and (Improvement Course only) machinery design drawings, catalogs and capacity calculations.