Subsidy Program for Projects Promoting Asian Site Location in Japan

Click here to read our most recent press release (October 10, 2012)

August 28, 2012 - The key objectives of this program are (1) to sustain and strengthen high-value-added business sites in Japan and (2) to achieve sustainable growth of the Japanese economy. The program will support internationally-operated companies to establish new high-value-added sites in Japan such as Regional Headquarters or R&D Sites. Such establishments have been proven to have a significant impact on the Japanese economy. The program also aims at strategically and proactively inviting and building high-value-added business functions that match the strength of the Japanese economy.

• List of projects selected under the FY 2011 Subsidy Program for Projects Promoting Asian Site Location in Japan [PDF, 132KB]
• Subsidy Program for Projects Promoting Asian Site Location in Japan: Application Guidelines [PDF, 156KB]
• Application Forms [DOC, 272KB]
• Guidelines for Completing Application Forms [PDF, 340KB]

* The Asia Business Location Law, which is promulgated on August 3^rd 2012 and a related measure to this subsidy program, was enacted on this Diet and is to be effective. The law gives incentives (e.g., reduced corporate tax burdens, lower patent fees) to global companies certified by the competent minister, to attract global companies R&D centers and Regional Headquarters to Japan. Dual application along with this subsidy program is permissible when the company meets the certification criteria of the law.

• Overview of the Asian Business Location Law [PDF, 268KB]

* JETRO is the Secretariat for Subsidy Program for Projects Promoting Asian Site Location in Japan.

Subsidized Projects

• Projects eligible for the subsidy shall be those for establishing a new Regional Headquarters or R&D Site in Japan. However, the relocation and consolidation of existing sites in Japan are not eligible for the subsidy.
• The relevant headquarters' operations or R&D activities must continue for a minimum of 3 years after the end of project period.
• The investment plan must not have been publicly announced, nor the placing of orders, making of contracts, etc. been undertaken prior to the cabinet approval of the budget bill of 2012 general account (December 24^th, 2011).

Applicable Companies

Private enterprises must satisfy all of the requirements below:

• Belong to a corporate body consisting of group companies that are operating an actual business in two or more countries
• Have corporate status in Japan
• Establish a new site for Regional Headquarters or R&D in Japan

* Foreign corporations (including branch offices in Japan) must have corporate status in Japan by the time of submitting the grant application if their site is selected by this subsidy program.

Subsidized Costs

• Survey design costs (Survey and design costs needed for building, refurbishment or facility installation)
• Facility costs (Costs required for purchasing, building or refurbishment of facilities, including integrally developed facilities)
• Equipment costs (Costs needed for purchasing, and setting up equipment and software)
• Facility lease fee

Subsidy Rates

Up to one-half for SMEs; up to one-third for non-SMEs; up to two-thirds for those establishing a site in the disaster afflicted zones (Limit: 0.5 billion yen)

Period of Application

• Public Announcement of the 2012 Subsidy: Tuesday, August 28^th, 2012 to Monday, November 19^th, 2012 (12:00 p.m. Japan Time)
• Period for Acceptance of Application Forms: Monday, November 5^th, 2012 to Monday, November 19^th, 2012 (no later than 12:00 p.m. Japan Time)

* Submit the applications forms by mail or in person to the Secretariat below:

Learn about the points-based preferential immigration treatment for highly skilled foreign professionals under which personnel of the selected companies of Subsidy Program for Projects Promoting Asian Site Location in Japan are given 10 points.

Application / Inquiries

For questions about the subsidy program or to apply, contact your nearest JETRO office:

• Atlanta: AMA@jetro.go.jp | 404-681-0600
• Chicago: Robert Corder | 312-832-6000 x204
• Houston: Keith Sanders | 713-654-5258
• Los Angeles: Kristoffer Miller | 213-624-8855 x119
• New York: Saori Ezuka | 212-819-7767
• San Francisco: Matt Stephens | 415-392-1333 x223
• Toronto: Inquiry@jetro.go.jp | 416-861-0000